Better

Business

Technology

Management

Business

"When it comes to technology, we mean business."

Joshua Shiman, Vice President
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Business Technology Management bridges the gap between business and technology, driving transformative innovation in the digital age.

Automatic Enrollment in Canada's Largest Business Co-op Program

Every BTM student is automatically enrolled in the co-op program. Students gain 12-months work experience within a 4-year Honours Undergraduate Degree Program. BTM is part of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. In Fall 2021, BTM placement rate was 100%.

Smaller Class Sizes and Brand New Facilities in the Brantford Campus

The BTM program began in 2008 and is located in the heart of Brantford, Ontario only 1 hour from Toronto. The Brantford campus is home to stunning new facilities like the L1 Games Lounge which houses a PS5, Nintendo Switch, Pool Tables, Board Games and more. Wilfrid Laurier University is Ranked High in Student Satisfaction.

Business Curriculum with a Technology Specialization

In the BTM program you get a foundational business curriculum and then specialize in using technology to help solve business problems, understand both the technology and the business side of modern organizations. BTM students are in high demand after graduation.

Who is the Business Technology Management Students Association?

Meet the BTMSA

The BTMSA is an official student-run club that is part of Wilfrid Laurier University's Student Union and it aims to improve Wilfrid Laurier University's BTM students experiences.

Offer Networking Opportunities and Events

Provide Professional Development and Resources

Support BTM Student Success

Introducing the 2023-2024 BTMSA Executive Team

Our team

Meet the 2023-2024 academic year's BTMSA executive team.

Pery Au
President
Joshua Shiman
Vice-President
Avinash Godse-Shah
Director of Corporate Relations
Aqsa Shafi
Director of Finance
Jashan Dhir
Co-Director of Governance
Darrell Li
Co-Director of Governance
Ethan Gardiner
Director of Strategy
Katelyn Scime
Director of Events and Operations
Bilal Tariq
Director of Marketing
Support

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the BTM program and the BTMSA
Why Choose Business Technology Management?
The BTM program aims to address the gap between business and technology. By learning and applying a technology perspective to a traditional business curriculum, BTM students are specialists in the intersection. Using technology to solve business problems is the key focus of the BTM program.

1. Academic Curriculum
Academically, this means many of the BTM courses are unique and offer expertise in how to apply technology to business. One example is Business Intelligence and Data Visualization (MB216).

In this second-year course, students learn about technical subjects such as data mining, predictive algorithms, and big data. Students also learn to use Tableau, a popular visual analytics platform used by many employers such as RBC and Nissan (which previous BTM alumni have worked at). Furthermore, students get to apply their knowledge during a Business Consulting case competition, where they analyze a business case, and propose a technology solution.

2. Automatic Co-op Entry
All BTM students are guaranteed automatic entry into the co-op program. This means all BTM have the opportunity to gain in-demand industry relevant experience before entering the job market. BTM co-op students gain 12-months of total paid work experience within a 4-year Honours Undergraduate program.

Previous BTM co-op students have worked at:
RBC, TD, CIBC, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Ceridian, Deloitte, CGI, Accenture.

Previous BTM co-op roles include:
Project Management Intern, Product Management Intern, Project Control Officer, Web Development Intern, Business Analyst Intern, Financial Analyst Intern, Systems Analyst, Technical Writer Intern.

3. Flexible Career Options

Current BTM alumni work as:

-
Product Manager
- Technology Consultant
- Cloud Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Cyber Security Analyst
- IT Project Analyst
- Software Engineer Associate
- Technical Project Manager
- Information Security Analyst
- Investment Product Associate


What will I learn in the BTM program?
Functional Knowledge
Learn to plan and implement tasks strategically to meet organizational goals.
Develop knowledge of project management theory and tools, as well as systems analysis and design using the Unified Modelling Language (UML).
Demonstrate an understanding of technology and innovation management strategies and effective data management techniques to enhance performance and improve security.
Demonstrate knowledge of software development and enterprise architecture processes.
Determine the appropriate allocation of resources, finances, materials and personnel.
Develop knowledge of business and IT-focused law including intellectual property, licensing, security, and privacy.
Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating, and/or encouraging others for team success.
Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions, and completing tasks.
Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication

Explain information, ideas, and opinions effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources.
Learn, understand, and critically interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations.
Set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage time, data, and resources.
Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify, and consider all sides of an issue.
Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support, and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories, and proposals.
What Jobs do BTM Students Get Post-Graduation?
Business Technology Management Students are in high demand in a variety of different roles. BTM Students succeed in both Business and Technology roles and excel in roles that integrate both.

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

- business analyst
- data analyst
- project control officer
- project coordinator
- systems analyst

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

- Product Manager
- Technology Consultant
- Cloud Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Cyber Security Analyst
- IT Project Analyst
- Software Engineer Associate
- Technical Project Manager
- Information Security Analyst
- Investment Product Associate

Do you Need a Computer Science or Business Background to Succeed in the BTM program?

The Business Technology Management program does not require any prior background in Computer Science or Business to succeed. The BTM program helps students build foundational skills from the ground up.

Ontario High School Requirements
Minimum admission range: high 70s.
Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: high 80s.
English at 70%.
Either Advanced Functions or Calculus and Vectors at 70%.

How can I get experience in the BTM program?
Beyond curricular and co-curricular experiences like the Case Competition, to enrich your BTM degree we recommend the following experiences:

Teaching Assistant (TA)
To apply for a Teaching Assistant position, contact the academic program of interest directly.

Volunteer Note-taker with ALC
Get involved in the Laurier community with something you're already doing... taking lecture notes! Accessible Learning provides access to note taking support for registered Accessible Learning students  who have been approved for this classroom accommodation. Learn more here.

Laurier Work-Study Program (LWSP)
Laurier Work Study Program (LWSP) postings are available each year for qualifying students in financial need and are posted in September. Program eligibility is assessed by Student Awards; you must be approved to participate in LWSP before applying to LWSP positions. Learn more here.

First-year Leadership Program (FYLP)
The First-Year Leadership Program (FYLP) creates unique opportunities for students living in residence to find their fit. With over 400 leadership positions available to first-year students, Laurier’s residence program continues to thrive because of the energy new leaders bring. Learn more here.

Student's Union (SU) Clubs and Jobs
The Laurier Student's Union hosts over 40 Clubs in Brantford and hires around 1000 student volunteers annually. The Student's Union also employs approximately 250 part-time staff across both Brantford and Waterloo campuses. Visit the Get Involved page to learn more.

Laurier Business Technology Management Student's Association (BTMSA)
This is us! The BTMSA conducts its Representatives hiring during Fall and Executives hiring in April. For the latest and most up to date information, follow the @laurierbtmsa Instagram account.
What Courses do you Study in BTM?
First Year:
- Business in a Networked Society
- Introduction to Strategic Management and Decision-Making
- Information Technology
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Financial Accounting
- Essential Skills for Math
- Calculus for Business

Second Year:
- Communication Skills for Leadership
- Marketing
- Statistics for Management
- Software Development
- Business Intelligence and Data Visualization
- Statistics for Management
- Business and Technology Law
- Managerial Accounting

Third Year:
- Ethics, Technology, and Organizations
- Operations Management
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Data and Knowledge Management
- Organizational Theory and Change
- Technology and Innovation Management
- Information Systems Project Management
- Systems Analysis and Design

Forth Year
- Directed Studies
- Seminar in Business Technology Management
- Management of Information Systems
- Business Strategy
- Enterprise Architecture
- Directed Studies II
- Advanced Seminar in Business Technology Management
What is the GPA requirement to Progress to Next Year?
Generally, you must maintain a 7.0/12.0 (B-) GPA in Business (MB and BU) courses, and a C or a 5.0/12.0 (C) GPA overall. We recommend working diligently and avoid failing courses, as there is limit course repeatability.

Progression to Year 2:
Requires completion of all 5.0 required and elective credits of Year 1 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 7.00 (B-) in all Business (MB and BU) courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C) in all non-Business courses. Course and GPA requirements for Business and non-Business courses must be achieved by Aug. 31. Total course repeats may not exceed a maximum of 1.0 credit exclusively during Year 1. All credits taken during Year 1 will be included in the GPA requirements for progression into Year 2.

Progression to Year 3: Requires completion of all 5.0 required and elective credits of Year 2 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 7.00 in all Business (MB and BU) courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 in all non-Business courses. These course and GPA requirements must be achieved by April 30. Course repeats may not exceed a maximum of 2.0 credits for the duration of the program, including repeats from Year 1.

Progression to Year 4: Requires completion of all 5.0 required and elective credits of Year 3 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 7.00 in all Business (MB and BU) courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 in all non-Business courses. These course and GPA requirements must be achieved by Dec. 31. Course repeats may not exceed a maximum of 2.0 credits for the duration of the program, including repeats from Year 1.

Graduation: Requires completion of all 5.0 required and elective courses of Year 4 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 7.00 in all Business (MB and BU) courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 in all non-Business courses. Students who have not met the course and GPA requirements to graduate must meet the requirements within one calendar year. If they do not do so, they must re-apply to enter the Honours Business Technology Management program. Course repeats may not exceed a maximum of 2.0 credits for the duration of the program, including repeats from Year 1. A student who has passed all the courses of the BBTM program but who has not obtained the necessary GPA may elect to receive a Bachelor of Arts general degree without designation.
How does the Co-op Program work?
Co-operative education is a form of work-integrated learning that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. Co-op work terms are approximately the length of each study term.

Students in the Business Technology Management (BBTM) (Brantford) program begin their alternating work and study terms after completing the first academic term of Year 3. The co-op schedule and average salaries can be viewed in detail here.

Participants complete COOP-000 - Fundamentals of Co-operative Education, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those jobs that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working.

Visit the Laurier Undergraduate Academic Calendar to learn more.
What Minors Can I Take and What are Options?
A minor is a secondary area of concentration in a subject different from your honours program.

An option is an enhanced minor you can incorporate into your degree program.

To find the requirements of the a specific Minor or Option, search for the Minor on the Academic Calendar linked here.

Here are Our Recommendations:

Minor in User Experience (UX) Design:
User experience (UX) designers are trained professionals who understand how to ensure that the entire experience a person has with a product, service, environment or message is a positive one. Laurier’s approach to UX goes beyond designing for the web and extends UX to the design of 3D and immersive environments, as well as the design of processes and services.

Minor in Computer Science (NEW): The Minor in Computer Science provides a foundation for developing computing skills to give you an advantage during your degree and when applying for jobs after graduation. You’ll study computer programming, data structures and algorithm design.

Minor in Game Design and Development (NEW): Game Design works well in combination with other fields at Laurier because of our focus on meaningful and transformative games. Students interested in communicating to others in a game-based way will learn game design skills through this minor.  Game-based learning and gamification are focused on helping people convey something that is not a game in a playful manner. Students will learn the basics of creating meaningful games, the ethics of implementing games for change, and how to create analog and 2D digital games.

Minor in Leadership (POPULAR): The Minor in Leadership is a pathway to in-demand and transferable skills that will help you personally and professionally. Our courses are designed to explore who you are, how you can more effectively lead, follow, and collaborate with others, and ultimately, influence positive change in groups, organizations, and beyond.

Option in Law: The Law Option provides students on Laurier’s Brantford campus with the opportunity to study the legal and social dimensions of law in Canada. You'll critically engage with legal doctrine, jurisprudence, statutes and regulations, and processes and practices in Canada’s legal systems.

See more Options here.
See more Minors here.
Deferred or Newly Transferred? What are the next steps?
Contact Academic Advising.
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