MBA Fundamentals Program

Base for Industry Entry and Further Academic Progress
This tailor-made MBA Fundamentals Program is especially designed for doctoral researchers of natural sciences and engineering: While still working towards their thesis it equips them with the ability to connect their current research with advanced management expertise to face todays challenges. Furthermore, it forms a strong base for industry entry and further academic progress.
Scientific Methods
Go above and beyond the normal graduate programs with the MBA Fundamentals Program. For a successful start in life in industry, many employers are searching for candidates with management expertise. Through the MBA Fundamentals Program, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers benefit from knowledge on management topics at an early stage of their career, conveyed in scientific methods that are easily accessible to engineers and natural scientists. Participants acquire additional management qualification, thereby fostering further career options.
Research-Oriented, Non-Consecutive Approach
In seven units, the MBA Fundamentals Program follows a research-oriented, non-consecutive approach regarding, e.g., human resource management, project and operations management. The completion of the MBA Fundamentals Program is worth 18 credit points (in the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS). These credit points are recognized in international MBA Programs.
Participants have the freedom to choose the order of units individually. Available for selection are six out of the seven units. The program can be completed during the doctoral research project or parallel to your job. After the successful completion of all units, the MBA Fundamentals Certificate is awarded by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Key Facts
- For doctoral researchers and post-doctoral researchers
- Dedicated to engineers, and natural scientists
- Language of instruction is English
- Six out of seven units, each five days (Total: 30 days with 18 ECTS points)
- No application deadline, individual start possible
- Completion during doctoral research or partly on the job
- Cost per unit: 2,100 EUR (Costs are covered for members of one of our cooperation graduates schools, the HEiKA Graduate School “Functional Materials”, the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP), and the Hector Fellow Academy.)
Benefits
- Management experience
- Interdisciplinary networking
- Perfect stepping stone for outside academia
Projects
Values
Hit the ground running with additional knowledge gained in Finance and Accounting, and Entrepreneurship: Both corporations and academic institutions expect their leaders to have a clear understanding of corporate metrics, accounting practices, financing and ethical issues. Enhance your ability to communicate with the different departments and understand requirements set out by them for your work.
Markets
Prepare for your future career and become a strategic analyst. Marketing is key in all business areas and of growing importance in academia. It is necessary to learn relevant aspects and strategies in the field of marketing as even good products can fail if introduced improperly into the market. Learn how decisions are made in general and how you can make the right decisions in any given situation.
People
You can use the methods of Human Resource Management and Leadership with your Bachelor and Master students as well as technicians you supervise. Applying the new tools will help you in your daily work: build and guide your team and get results on time. Learn more about Human Resource Management and gain the required skills for your Postdoctoral leadership career.
Information & Data Analytics
Operations
Participant Voice Oliver
"The MBA Fundamentals Program is an excellent complement to the mostly technical experiences gathered as a PhD student. It became an unexpected door opener for my career. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who contemplates a career outside academia."
Oliver Kahl, Investment and Portfolio Manager, Fluxunit GmbH - OSRAM Ventures
Participant Voice Ho Hoai Duc
"The MBA program made me a more rounded person. I learned a great overview of the business world and gained more confidence."
Ho Hoai Duc Nguyen, Valeo
Participant Voice Radwanul
"Participation in MBA Fundamentals Program changed my viewpoint of research as it assisted me not only to realize how important it is to bring a lab research into existence (corporate market) but also how to pursue that path."
Radwanul Siddique, Postdoc, Caltech
Units 2020*
Projects | July 19 - July 23, 2021 (online) -> elective |
Values | September 20 - September 24, 2021 -> mandatory for certificate |
Markets | TBA |
People | February 08 - February 12, 2021 (online) -> mandatory for certificate |
Operations | TBA |
Information & Data Analytics | TBA -> elective |
Entrepreneurship | TBA |
Intercultural Training** | TBA |
*Dates can be subject to change.
**Optional (The Intercultural Training doesn't grant credits, but participation is strongly advised when completing the full program.)
