COMENT 703 : Commercialisation of Science and Technology

Business and Economics

2020 Quarter One (1202) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Addresses the research-business interface, commercialisation pathways and processes and how IP based projects are evaluated and assessed as they advance through stages of development with the objective of penetrating national and international markets. Examines the product development process and different technology transfer models including licensing, partnering, spin-outs and start-ups. Introduces related issues of market and competitor research, IP valuation, risk management, and the financing of different stages in the commercialisation process.

Course Overview

The course introduces  issues of market and competitor research, IP valuation, risk management, and the financing of different stages in the commercialisation process. The goals of the course are to provide students with an understanding why organisations engage in research commercialisation and innovation and of the process of commercialising IP-based projects. The course aims to develop this understanding through class discussions of models, frameworks, case studies and examples. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and be able to analyse and discuss how organisational motives and objectives shape commercialisation pathways and strategies. (Capability 2, 4.1 and 6)
  2. Use and apply knowledge of innovation management and commercialisation processes to engage with early-stage research commercialisation activities. (Capability 3, 4.3 and 5.2)
  3. Communicate key commercialisation aspects related to early-stage science or technology opportunity. (Capability 2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
  4. Innovate and assess the potential value of new ideas. (Capability 3, 4.3 and 6)
  5. Understand business disruption and underlying processes (Capability 2, 4.2 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Written Assignment 25% Individual Coursework
Written Assignment 25% Individual Coursework
Case Studies: Report 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Case Study: Presentation 10% Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Written Assignment
Written Assignment
Case Studies: Report
Case Study: Presentation

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For the 5 teaching weeks of a quarter, this totals 150 hours. During a typical teaching week, the class will meet for 7  hours of lectures (35 hours of lectures), there are 35 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 80 hours of work on assignments.

Learning Resources

A reading list will be provided for students on Canvas to prepare for the lecturers.  This will contain both expected and recommended readings to prepare for each lecture and assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/12/2019 12:56 p.m.