Stern redesigned his MBA course on 1999 to promote the integration of various courses. The key part of creating more multi-functional related courses is the two-week in-depth preparation stage before the course. It covers ethics, computer, mathematics, data analysis, team building and social activities. During this period, freshmen are divided into several classes with about 65 students each year to spend the first year together. Then the students further form a study group of about 5 people. In the second semester, there is a comprehensive strategy exercise. It includes an in-depth study of a case, combining strategic analysis with communication lectures. Stern's MBA is strict in quantification and requires a good level of mathematics. It suggests that students should have their own computers.