Maintaining academic rigor is a vital part of CIMBA. Due to the condensed nature of our programs, professors need to be prepared for the quick pace. Successful professors have a contingency plan for technology glitches and more material prepped in case the class accomplishes more than anticipated in a class meeting. They also avoid letting the class get off topic and falling behind on content. Because the courses are condensed, lost time can have a detrimental effect on the amount of content covered. Listed below is what you can expect for the teaching structure of each program.
Semester (12 weeks): Classes will meet for 1 hour and 50 minutes either on Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday of each week. In order to ensure that every class meets for the required contact minutes, class meeting days will swap halfway through the semester. This structure will affect the pace of your course as the majority of your course meetings may be concentrated in the first part of the term or your class will really ramp up in the second half. Because of this unique schedule design, it is typically easier for faculty to plan syllabi using 21 course meetings, including the finals. Rather than list the content covered on a particular date, it is easier to say Course Meeting #2, #3, etc.
Summer Undergraduate (4 weeks): Classes meet for 1 hour and 45 minutes in the morning, four days a week. In addition, each class will have one, three hour class session in the afternoon per week. These afternoon classes are intended for more hands-on learning, group work, and presentations. One afternoon block will be dedicated to a company tour relating to your course curricula. In total, each class will meet for 16 morning sessions, four afternoon blocks, and the final exam. In order to ensure students are prepared to participate in their classes from day one, faculty are required to assign three hours of “pre-work” for students to complete before arriving in Italy. See syllabi section for more information.
Summer Undergraduate only: In order to ensure students are prepared to participate in their classes from day one, faculty are required to assign three hours of “pre-work” for students to complete before arriving in Italy. Assignments can include readings, problem sets, case studies, responses, etc. Tracking completion and determining whether to grade the pre-work is up to faculty discretion. Assignments should be posted to ICON for students approximately one month prior to the program.
Summer Graduate (2 weeks): Classes meet for two and a half hours every morning, break for a long lunch, then reconvene for two more hours in the afternoon. Graduate courses will have the first Friday afternoon free for students to begin their travels for the weekend. In total, graduate courses will meet for eight morning sessions, seven afternoon sessions, and a final exam session; one of the class sessions will be devoted to a company tour.
MBA (varies): Classes typically meet from 9 am to 6 pm (with a break for lunch) for four days. Final exams are proctored by our staff a few weeks later. Professors are welcome to assign coursework for completion before and after in-person teaching sessions.