Course Structure Overview
The Entrepreneurship program at RKDF INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT is designed to provide a holistic educational experience that combines foundational knowledge with practical application. The curriculum spans eight semesters and includes core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions.
| Year | Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year I | 1 | ENT-101 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 2 | ENT-102 | Business Planning & Strategy | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-101 | |
| 3 | ENT-103 | Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-102 | |
| 4 | ENT-104 | Marketing Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-103 | |
| Year II | 5 | ENT-201 | Digital Marketing & E-commerce | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-104 |
| 6 | ENT-202 | Product Development & Design Thinking | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-201 | |
| 7 | ENT-203 | Innovation Management | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-202 | |
| 8 | ENT-204 | Entrepreneurial Leadership | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-203 | |
| Year III | 9 | ENT-301 | Venture Capital & Private Equity | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-204 |
| 10 | ENT-302 | Intellectual Property & Legal Aspects | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-301 | |
| 11 | ENT-303 | Global Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-302 | |
| 12 | ENT-304 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-303 | |
| Year IV | 13 | ENT-401 | Capstone Project & Business Pitch | 0-0-6-3 | ENT-304 |
| 14 | ENT-402 | Startup Scaling & Operations | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-401 | |
| 15 | ENT-403 | Sustainable Business Models | 3-0-0-3 | ENT-402 | |
| 16 | ENT-404 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-6-3 | ENT-403 |
Each course is carefully structured to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. The credit structure reflects a balance between lectures (L), tutorials (T), practical sessions (P), and laboratory components (C).
Advanced Departmental Electives
Departmental electives offer students the opportunity to specialize in areas of interest and gain deeper insights into niche domains within entrepreneurship. These courses are designed to build upon foundational knowledge and prepare students for advanced research or professional roles.
- Digital Transformation & Innovation: This course explores how digital technologies can be leveraged to create new business models, transform existing industries, and drive innovation. Topics include artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and cybersecurity in business contexts.
- Social Impact Entrepreneurship: Students learn how to develop businesses that generate both financial returns and measurable social impact. The course covers sustainable development goals, community engagement strategies, and ethical frameworks for social ventures.
- Product Management & User Experience: This elective focuses on the lifecycle of digital products, from ideation to launch and beyond. Students study user research methods, prototyping techniques, agile development practices, and metrics used in product success.
- Entrepreneurial Marketing: A comprehensive look at marketing strategies tailored for startups and small businesses. The course covers brand building, customer acquisition, digital advertising, and relationship management in resource-constrained environments.
- Business Model Innovation: This course teaches students how to restructure traditional business models using modern frameworks and tools. It includes case studies of successful model pivots and practical exercises in designing innovative revenue streams.
- International Entrepreneurship: Students examine global market entry strategies, cross-cultural negotiations, international legal structures, and geopolitical risks. The course includes simulations and guest lectures from multinational entrepreneurs.
- Crowdfunding & Alternative Funding: This elective introduces students to various funding mechanisms such as crowdfunding platforms, angel networks, venture capital, and government grants. Students learn how to craft compelling pitches and manage investor relationships.
- Strategic Innovation Management: Designed for advanced learners, this course explores innovation processes within large organizations and the challenges of implementing change in established systems. It includes tools like design thinking, lean startup methodologies, and innovation portfolio management.
- Startups & Scaling: This course focuses on the growth phase of startups, covering topics such as team building, fundraising strategies, operational scaling, and exit planning. Students work on real business models to understand scalability challenges.
- Entrepreneurial Ethics: A critical examination of ethical dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs, including issues related to transparency, accountability, fairness, and stakeholder management. The course uses real-world case studies to explore moral reasoning in business decisions.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The Entrepreneurship program at RKDF INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT places a strong emphasis on project-based learning as a means of developing practical skills and deepening conceptual understanding. The curriculum is built around experiential learning modules that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Mini-projects are integrated throughout the program, beginning in Year One with simple business planning exercises and progressing to complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives by Year Four. These projects are typically completed in teams of 3–5 students under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
The evaluation criteria for these projects include creativity, feasibility, market potential, presentation quality, peer collaboration, and adherence to deadlines. Each project is assessed using a rubric that aligns with industry standards, ensuring that students develop competencies relevant to future employment or entrepreneurial ventures.
Final-year capstone projects are the most significant component of the program. Students select a topic aligned with their interests or current industry trends and work independently or in small groups to develop a complete business plan, prototype, or solution. These projects often lead to real-world implementations or investor interest, making them valuable additions to students’ professional portfolios.
The selection process for capstone topics involves a combination of student preference surveys, faculty expertise matching, and alignment with industry needs. Students are encouraged to propose their own ideas but may also choose from suggested topics provided by the program. Faculty mentors are assigned based on their area of specialization and availability, ensuring personalized guidance throughout the project lifecycle.