THE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

BA 4308.001: ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Summer 2008 Wed. 6:00pm–10:00pm
Instructor: Yasuhiro (Yasu) Yamakawa
Classroom: SOM 1.117
Office: SOM 4.411
Email: yasu@utdallas.edu
Phone (UTD office): (972) 883-4469
Office Hours: Wed. 10:00am-11:00am, 1:00pm–2:00pm, or by appointment

I. PREREQUISITES, REQUIRED SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

There are no prerequisites for this course. Course participants are not expected to have a formal business
or management background.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW

This course provides a broad-based introduction to entrepreneurship. The course activities will include
evaluating commercial potential of business ideas and opportunities, researching markets and competition,
managing patents and copyrights, developing a business plan, acquiring resources, avoiding pitfalls, and
financing the startup. Participants in the course will explore the mindset, considerations, realities, and real-
world methods associated with the process launching a new enterprise. Whether simply desiring to learn
more about entrepreneurship or desiring to launch an enterprise, the course will provide the know-how and
the tools to be more effective in the entrepreneurial process. This is a team-based course that will permit
groups of students to develop portions of a business plan piece by piece. Both team and individual
assignments will be required, with the team project assignment comprising over half of the final grade.

III. LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

This course is intended to help students:

1. understand and assess entrepreneurial characteristics and abilities;

2. understand foundational principles, rewards and realities of entrepreneurship;
3. learn how to evaluate business opportunities;
4. develop an understanding of the issues involved in protecting intellectual property such as patents;
5. understand how to create a business plan and persuasive presentation for an entrepreneurial venture;
6. understand the basics of financial budgeting and forecasting
7. learn the fundamentals of raising capital for the new venture;
8. gain an understanding of how to avoid the typical pitfalls of entrepreneurship;
9. learn how to work as a team to develop business strategies and solve problems.

IV. REQUIRED TEXT AND READING MATERIALS

Text book: Entrepreneurship. Hisrich, Peters & Shepherd, 7th Edition (ISBN 0-07-321056-0)
Handout: Opportunity Evaluation Checklist and Business Plan Outline
Readings: What is Strategy. Porter; How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy. Porter

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V. ASSIGNMENTS AND ACADEMIC CALENDAR**

Week Date Topic Readings/Assignments/Deliverables

1 May 28 Course overview; nature & Chapter 1

(S1) importance of entrepreneurship
(S2) The entrepreneur: mindset, Chapter 2, 3, 5
intentions, creativity *Teams formed and Team Rosters submitted
2 June 4 Market research (Guest speaker:
(S3) Loreen Phillips)
(S4) Team assignments

3 June 11 Business plan Chapter 7 *A#1 due: each student submits 2 new
(S5) business ideas to instructor and to team members.
(S6) Team building *A#2 due: each team submits a selected business
idea (with one alternative) for Instructor approval.
4 June 18 Intellectual property & legal issues Chapter 6
(S7)
(S8) Organizational issues Chapter 9

5 June 25 Entrepreneurial strategy; managing Chapter 4, 13, 14, 15, 16

(S9) growth; going global
(S10) In-class presentations *A#3ab due: Business plan—summary & industry
analysis. (+Individual peer evaluation)
6 July 2 Mid-term Exam
(S11)
(S12) TBA

7 July 9 Review of mid-term exam

(S13)
(S14) Marketing plan Chapter 8

8 July 16 Financial plan; forecasting, Chapter 10

(S15) budgeting
(S16) Funding; sources of capital, do’s and Chapter 11, 12
don’ts
9 July 23 Startup list (team assignment) *A#4
(S17)
(S18) Ending the venture Chapter 17

10 July 30 In-class presentations *A#5ab due: Marketing & financial plan.

(S19) (+Individual peer evaluations)

(S20) Closing: ethics, myths, course review

11 August 6 Final Exam

(S21)

**
This course schedule is not absolute. While every effort will be made to follow the schedule as listed, changes
may be made as needed. It is the student’s responsibility to track changes that are announced.

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VI. GRADING, COURSE ASSIGNMENTS, DUE DATES
Grades will be based on group and individual work assignments (A’s), exams, and peer evaluations. These
assignments, their due dates, page limits, and their relative weight in determining your final grade are
summarized in the table below:

Due Team or Length Grading

Assignment Form
Date Individual (pages) Weight
Team selected and rosters submitted to instructor 5/28 Team 1 Memo
A#1. Individual opportunity analysis, business ideas
6/11 Individual 1 Essay 5%
description submitted to team and instructor
A#2. Teams submit business ideas for approval 6/11 Team 1-2 Memo
A#3a. Group paper: business plan (business concept
6/25 Team 6-12 Essay 15%
summary and industry analysis)
A#3b. Group presentation 6/25 Team PPT Presentation 10%

Midterm exam 7/2 Individual - Exam 10%

A#4. Startup list Team Bulleted

7/23 1-2 5%
outline
6-12 +
A#5a. Group paper: Marketing and financial plan 7/30 Team Essay 15%
Worksheets

A#5b. Group presentation 7/30 Team PPT Presentation 10%

Individual peer evaluation by team members 6/25, 7/30 Individual 1 Format 10%*

Final exam 8/6 Individual - Exam 10%

Attendance,
Class participation Individual - 10%*
discussion

*Peer evaluations and class participation may have greater impact on grades –see guidelines below for each 100%

GRADE SCALE
A = 90% OR GREATER
B = 80% TO 89%
C = 70% TO 79%
D = 60% TO 69%

VII. COURSE POLICIES and GUIDELINES

SELF INTRODUCTION

Each student should post a self-introduction in the discussion area of WebCT prior to the first class. Please
include contact information, work experience, major, and special interests or hobbies. This information will be
used to set up my grade book and assist in the formation of groups for the course.

FORMATION OF GROUPS

Much of the work in this course will be performed in small groups (5-7 members). The group members will be
collectively responsible for completing each of the group assignments listed in this Syllabus. The grades
earned on group projects will be assigned equally to each group member, subject to adjustment based on the
peer evaluation (see peer evaluation information below).

Students will have the opportunity to form their own groups, based on common interests and preferred group
interaction times (see Self Introduction above). It is important that you select your groups to include a diverse

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set of skills. A TYPED list of the members, including the designated Team Captain, contact information
for each group member (with name, email and telephone) should be submitted to the instructor at the
end of class on May 28, 2008. Anyone who has not joined a group prior to that time will be assigned to a
group by the instructor.

LECTURE NOTES

The MS PowerPoint slides used in lectures and certain other course materials will be available on WebCT
(http://webct.utdallas.edu) under course ID BA 4308. You should be able to access WebCT with your UTD ID
and password. Call computer services at (972) 883-2911 if you need assistance.

CLASS PARTICIPATION & PREPARATION

Ten percent (10%) of your grade will be based on attendance and active participation in class discussions and
exercises. From time to time, it may be necessary to miss a class due to illness or personal matters. Please
inform instructor of these absences. If participation becomes an issue, or if more than 2 classes are missed,
the student’s grade may be impacted. Attendance will be tracked because attendance may impact team
performance. Attendance in class and at team meetings should be reflected in the peer evaluations.

Each student is expected to have read all assigned materials prior to the start of class and be prepared to
discuss the ideas, concepts and issues they raise. If it is determined that students are not prepared for class,
pop quizzes may be instituted and factored into the individual’s grade. These quizzes cannot be made up if
missed.

GUIDELINES FOR ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Evaluation: Particular care should be taken to fully address the requirements for each paper detailed in the
assignment. An evaluation by the instructor of written assignments will include multiple factors, including (a) how
well instructions were followed, (b) how clear and concise responses are to assignment parameters; (c)
demonstrated ability to apply the course concepts and frameworks in written summaries; (d) the degree of
professionalism and effectiveness regarding structure, content and communication, and in the case of the
Team Project; (d) the degree of correlation between the work product and the criteria associated with the
Checklist for Opportunity Evaluation and Business Plan Outline.

Identification of Assignments. All submitted assignments should be identified as follows: (a) a header on each
page of the paper or spreadsheet should include the course designation, the assignment number, and the names
of all team members. For example, “BA 4308_A#3a_[last names of team members].doc” would identify a
team’s written Assignment #3.

Format. Written assignments will be submitted in MS Word, MS Excel or MS PowerPoint format, as

appropriate. All written assignments and PowerPoint presentations are to be submitted in both hard
copy and soft copy (electronic form). Each paper submitted should be in professional form. The use of
charts and exhibits is encouraged, to the extent that they help you make your points. Cover pages, charts or
exhibits, and lists of references will not be included in the page count. Charts and exhibits should be numbered
and appropriately referenced in the body of the document. A list of references should be attached as required.
The written assignments should use 11-12 point type, single-spaced, with 1” margins all around. The original
copy of the individual assignment, team project and PowerPoint presentation will be kept on file and will not be
returned. Upon submission of the last written Team Project, A#5a, a CD containing the exact electronic file
of the business plan hardcopy and presentation must be attached to the last page of the original hardcopy
that contains all Team Project papers and presentations submitted or made during the course.
o Grades will be lowered for:
ƒ Use of incomplete sentences, misspelled words, or poor grammar
ƒ Missing required sections
ƒ Failure to attach the full project on a disk in the finished plan

Assignment Submission, Due Dates and Late Paper Policy. The written assignments must be submitted
to the instructor via email and hard copy prior to the beginning of class period either at the instructor’s
office or in the classroom, on the date they are due. Due to the nature of the assignments and the
discussion and presentations taking place on the days assignments are due, late assignments will not be
accepted. Please do not submit assignments through WebCT. Team assignments are to be submitted only

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by one member of the team, the Team Captain. The Team Captain will receive the grade results for the
assignment and will be responsible for sharing that feedback with the other members of the team.

TEAM PROJECTS

A Team project focused on the identification and analysis of a new business opportunity will comprise a major
part of the course. Each Team will make two presentations and write two papers during the semester
associated with their team project. In addition, after each set of presentations each student will complete and
submit individual peer evaluations (therefore, each individual will submit two peer evaluation forms associated
with the business plan projects (one upon submission of A#3 and the other upon submission of A#5, that
evaluate the performance of each respective member). Students will work in teams of 5 to 7 members. Teams
are self selecting. The Team projects associated with the business plan will account for 60% of your grade. The
projects require a wide range of knowledge including some knowledge of finance and accounting. Therefore, a
broad range of backgrounds and knowledge among the group members is beneficial.

The individual opportunity analysis, business ideas description—A#1

Each student will submit two individually developed, new business ideas, A#1, to the instructor and to the
student’s respective team for consideration for the Team Project on June 11, 2008.
In developing a Business Idea the student should:
• Select an industry and identify a specific business concept or opportunity to research.
• Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the business opportunity following the Opportunity Evaluation
Checklist and Business Plan Outline found in the course materials on WebCT.
• Summarize your business opportunity in the context of the market and competitive
environment in a 1-2 page paper to be submitted to the instructor and team members.
Include the following with your summary:
1. Project description (What significant need does it fill?, How big is the need? How
grand is your solution?)
2. How is Product or Service unique/different/superior to other offerings?
3. Who is the customer?
4. Is there significant financial return potential (vs. modest financial potential)?
5. What is its “Value Proposition” --How will your idea benefit customers (why they
will buy?) (benefits to the customer (e.g., faster, less expensive, higher quality,
more reliable, more accurate, more convenient, better performance, more fun, less
work, etc. )

Formation of teams

The class will be divided into small teams of 5-7 members. The team members will be collectively responsible
for completing each of the Team Project assignments. The grades earned on Team Projects will be assigned
equally to each group member, subject to individual adjustment based on the Peer Evaluation (each team
member must contribute equally based on their peer evaluation to qualify for the full team grade—as described
below).

Team leaders selection

Each team should elect a “Team Leader” to direct the development of the various components of the business
plan, organize team meetings, help lead team discussion and communicate with instructor from time to time.
The course instructor may communicate to the Team Leader as needed.

Approach for developing a project

Each student will present the individually developed Business Idea described in work Assignment (A#1) above
to his or her team for consideration as candidate for the Team Project on June, 11.

Selection of a team business opportunity –A#2

From the Business Ideas presented by respective team members, each Team will select a first and second
choice for business plan development (and the two related group papers/presentations during the semester).
The team business idea selected by the Team should be submitted to the instructor on June, 11. Selection of
an appropriate opportunity to pursue for the project is critical. The idea must meet several basic criteria. It must

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meet standards of good taste and usefulness—a good rule of thumb: Pick something in which you would
consider investing money. Franchises are not allowed due to the fact that you do little of the background work.
It must be a large enough opportunity that it will require at least $100,000 in investment capital and it must have
the potential to generate at least $1,000,000 in revenue in the 5th year. That means that bars, restaurants,
sports facilities, most retail models only qualify if they are scalable by franchising or expansion to multiple
locations. This expansion must be part of the business plan being created by the group. A viable
entrepreneurial opportunity is one that brings something new, valuable, innovative and difficult to imitate to the
market and creates a position where the industry forces (supplier power, buyer power, barriers to entry,
substitutes and rivalry) are favorable to the new venture. New ventures that go head to head with established
firms in crowded markets are not recommended.

Once a business Idea is selected and approved, it is then developed into a business plan by the Team during
the semester. Accordingly, each Team will make 2 presentations and write 2 papers during the semester
associated with their selected business idea.

A#3ab, Paper & Presentation: Summary of Business (Description of New Venture) & Industry Analysis

This paper should be 6 to 12 pages in length and should be in outline format as much as possible. As a guide
for this paper and presentation, the Team should use the course handout, Opportunity Evaluation Checklist and
Business Plan Outline (download Checklist from WebCT6). The first section of this paper should provide a
description of the business concept and its products or services and why they are unique or special. Particular
emphasis should be placed on the competitive advantage of your new venture. The second section should
discuss the unmet needs of the market that the products or services are providing and the customers being
targeted. The third section should provide a detailed overview and analysis of the industry in which the venture
will operate. The Industry analysis section will include future outlook and trends, analysis of overall industry,
market needs, the opportunity and associated unmet needs your product or service fulfills along with industry
forecasts. The fourth section will provide a description of the objectives (short term and long term) of the
company. Evaluate the feasibility and attractiveness of the business idea or concept using the Checklist in the
teaching note and the Sections noted above and the concepts and frameworks provided in the text.

A#5ab, Paper & Presentation: The Complete Business Plan including the addition of Marketing &
Financial Plan

This paper and presentation should also improve upon the first assignment (A#3ab). All previously submitted
information about the company and market should be refined and included in the final paper. As a guide for this
second paper and presentation, the Team should use the course handout, Opportunity Evaluation Checklist
and Business Plan Outline (download Checklist from WebCT6). As clarification, in addition to a refinement
of the first paper and presentation, in which product/service information and Industry analysis was
provided previously ( in A#3ab), the team will add two major segments to the plan:

1) The Marketing Plan. This segment of the plan should be 3- 6 pages and include a brief analysis (reiteration)
of the target market(s). The segment of the paper and presentation should include a detailed marketing plan
including the general marketing strategy (including business model), target customers, positioning of the firm
(relative to competition), advertising and promotional activities, pricing strategy, sales and distribution strategy,
sales forecasts, service and support, and detailed marketing budget.

2) Resources, Risk Assessment and Financial Plan (including timeline). This segment of the paper should be 3
to 6 pages in length and should include a) resource requirements of the firm until company becomes self-
sustaining (how much capital is needed for start-up and operations, e.g., capital expenditures, personnel,
facilities and equipment (this should be summarized in a budget table—which is a Use of Proceeds from
financing), b) funding sources, c) the investment deal (how much equity for investment and projected returns),
d) pro-form Income Statement for 3 years (monthly for the first 12 months and quarterly for years 2 and 3—See
examples in textbook) and a break-even analysis, e) critical risk factors, and f) a timeline chart of events and
milestones to be achieved over the next year. NOTE: In the presentation, provide a very simple, brief and
legible summary of key financial information (e.g., a summary table of the budget (use of proceeds, including
capital expenditures), a summary table of the income statement (with revenue projections, costs, profit and
Income for next 3 years), and a break-even chart (DO NOT INCLUDE IN THE PRESENTATION A FULL

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SPREADSHEET OF DATA) The paper and presentation (A#5ab) will be due before the beginning of
class on July 30, 2008 and ready for presentation in class.

Presentations in class

Team presentations of the various components of the business plan (A#’3b & 5b) should be of high standards
and presented in MS Power Point format. A team’s presentation will be graded based on the quality of (a) the
content of the presentation (all required material), (b) the presentation style and quality, and (c) the ability of the
team to justify its position in the Q&A in Class. All presentations will be made in the Team context, wherein in
all members will give portions of the presentation. The content and length will be detailed later in the semester.

Team member participation in group projects

Each team member will create portions of each group project as agreed by team members and the team will
integrate the respective pieces. Please remember to save sufficient time to properly edit the work into one
integrated paper that will be agreed upon by the team and Team Leader (disjointed papers will not score well).

Individual peer evaluation by team members

A peer evaluation of the respective individual team members will be utilized to adjust individual grades on all
group assignments (maximum range of +/- 30% of the group grade). The peer evaluation form attached to this
syllabus will be completed individually and turned in by each team member as part of each Team Project
assignment. A total of 2-3 individual peer evaluation forms will be turned in during the semester (associated
with A#’s 3, 4, and 5). Peer evaluations should also include attendance in class and at team meetings.

All of us have been on teams where someone did not contribute fully but expected the same grade as those
making strong contributors. Fairness will prevail. Individual grades for each group project and presentation will
be computed based on the team score for each project with allowances for team peer evaluations that each
team member receives. Therefore, strong contribution to projects, regular attendance in class and at
team meetings, and collaborative, cooperative and friendly attitudes are essential for optimal grading.
See the attached student peer evaluation form with example form. Students will not directly grade (A, B, etc.)
one another but will provide the instructor with feedback (with peer evaluation forms) as to the percentage of
contribution of each member on a base of 100%. Individual grades may be lowered by the instructor given poor
peer evaluations. Additional instruction regarding peer evaluation will be provided on the peer evaluation form.

As mentioned, Peer evaluations are due with each major project or report (associated with A#’s 3ab, 4, and
5ab). Failure to complete a peer evaluation can result in reduction in grade. Evaluations will be kept confidential.
The team is accountable for warning any student who is in danger of receiving a failing peer evaluation. Failure
of a team to warn a team member in a timely manner as described may invalidate negative ratings. Interim
evaluations may be completed at any time during the semester and submitted to the instructor as a means of
identifying a problem with a team member. At that time, the instructor will talk with all parties involved to
determine what course of action may need to be taken. Please do not be afraid to discuss these problems with
the instructor early on. Warnings as to failure on peer evaluations most often reverses a negative course of
action on the part of a team member. Please handle individual team member issues with proper care, courtesy
and diplomacy.

Students dropped from teams, with approval from the instructor, will be required to complete a group project on
their own. Other options include dropping or failing the course.

FIELD TRIP POLICIES

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies
and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations
may be found at the website address http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm.
Additional information is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or
risk-related activity associated with this course.

STUDENT CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE

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The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the
orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student
organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities.
General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which
is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and
regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available
to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is
expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such
conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of
an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is
imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own.
As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion
and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is
unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details).
This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over
90% effective.

EMAIL USE

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff
and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the
identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email
correspondence be sent only to a student’s UTD email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high
degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at UTD provides a method for students to have
their UTD mail forwarded to other accounts.

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates
and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the
student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or
withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F"
in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

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In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic
responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the
instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the
respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If
the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a
copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by
the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate
Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic
Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where
staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s
end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within
eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course
and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is
changed automatically to a grade of F.

DISABILITY SERVICES

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of
their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are
Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday,
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to
eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom
prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind.
Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral
presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may
have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services
such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her
professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present
to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring
special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to
and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax
under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or
activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The
student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time
after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who
notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade
for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the
instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The
chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the
student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

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 BA 4308.001
ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PEER EVALUATION FORM

(TO BE USED AFTER EACH OF TWO MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS (A#3 & A#4)
INSTRUCTIONS
The peer evaluation process is intended to provide group members with an opportunity to contribute to the
evaluation of the performance of your team members on group activities. On the form below, you may rate the
performance and contributions of your team members (including yourself) in the preparation of the group
assignments. Instructions follow:
1. Enter the names of your group members (alphabetically by last name). Include yourself.
2. Evaluate each assignment separately. Each team member will begin with 100 points on each assignment.
3. You may reallocate the total number of points among team members within a range of 80 to 120 points for
each individual, based on their contributions to the group effort on that assignment.
4. The total number of points allocated on any single assignment must equal 100 times the number of
members of the team. If you have four members on the team, the total for column should be equal to 400.
5. I will calculate an overall assessment as a weighted average of the individual ratings, using the
percentage weights indicated below.
Please sign the evaluation at the bottom of the page, place it in a sealed envelope and turn it in with each Team
Project assignment on the date it is due (there will be 2-3 separate evaluation forms filled out during the semester).

Team #______ Name___________________________

Project: _________________ Signature ________________________

Evaluation INSTRUCTIONS:

*Grade the performance of each team member (including yourself) using the following criteria.
Initiative while working on project.
Attendance at scheduled Team meetings.
Timeliness, quality and completeness of assigned work?
Team spirit.
Overall contribution to project completion?

*To score the various team members, first begin by multiplying the number of team members on your
team, including yourself by 100. The resulting product equals the total number of points your team can
achieve. For example, if there are 5 members (including yourself) on the team, then the total number of
points that must be distributed among the members of your team is: 5*100 = 500. You must distribute
points among your team members based on each member’s overall contribution to the team project. If all
team members contributed equally then each would receive a score of 100. If an individual contributed an
extra effort to the project that team member’s score could be higher than 100 which means that one or
more persons would receive less than 100.

*For any team member whose points are significantly above or below the team average (i.e., greater than
110, or less than 85), please make specific comments indicating why the team member received that
score.

*Fold the evaluation sheet and return it to the instructor with each finished Team Project.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Assignment ________________________________

POINTS ALLOCATED
NAME OF TEAM MEMBERS
per TEAM MEMBER

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Total Points (Number of team members x 100)

Comments on High and Low rated team members.

Please be as specific as possible regarding rationale for rating high or low

COMMENTS
Group
Member Comments (please support and justify any assessment below 90% or above 110%) Continue on
reverse if necessary.

Prepared by: ____________________________________

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PEER EVALUATION FORM--EXAMPLE

INSTRUCTIONS
The peer evaluation process is intended to provide group members with an opportunity to contribute to the
evaluation of the performance of your team members on group activities. On the form below, you may rate the
performance and contributions of your team members (including yourself) in the preparation of the group
assignments. Instructions follow:
6. Enter the names of your group members (alphabetically by last name). Include yourself.
7. Evaluate each assignment separately. Each team member will begin with 100 points on each assignment.
8. You may reallocate the total number of points among team members within a range of 80 to 120 points for
each individual, based on their contributions to the group effort on that assignment.
9. The total number of points allocated on any single assignment must equal 100 times the number of
members of the team. If you have four members on the team, the total for column should be equal to 400.
10. I will calculate an overall assessment as a weighted average of the individual ratings, using the
percentage weights indicated below.
Please sign the evaluation at the bottom of the page, place it in a sealed envelope and turn it in with your final
group assignment.

PEER EVALUATION
Group Member (list alphabetically)
1 Samuel Adams 100

2 Brett Favre 100

3 Michael Finley 90

4 George Washington 110

TOTAL (must equal 100 X number of group 400

members)

COMMENTS
Group Comments (please support and justify any assessment below 90% or above 110%) Continue on
Member reverse if necessary.
1 Didn’t seem interested at first, but carried the load for the group on the final presentation

2 I did my fair share on all of the assignments.

3 Mike was late on most assignments and did not contribute much to group project.

4 A solid contributor throughout.

Signature: _____________________________________
Print Name: ____ Brett Favre ____________________

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