COMENT 704 : Entrepreneurship for Science and Technology Ventures

Business and Economics

2020 Quarter Four (1208) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Studies how entrepreneurs think and act in organising, motivating and leading high performance teams, and introducing and selling innovative science and technology-based products and services into national and international markets. Examines how entrepreneurs create and capture revenues and profits by recognising, assessing, and marketing opportunities for new products or services based on science and technology; developing new strategies and business models; validating markets; and selling into industrial enterprises and markets.

Course Overview

The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the wider role of entrepreneurial processes and practices in developing ventures. The course aims to develop this understanding through class discussions of theories, frameworks, techniques, case studies, and action learning.  It provides a hands-on learning opportunity on how to start a scalable venture. It is not about how to write a business plan, but about creating an entrepreneurial experience.

Students will learn both how entrepreneurs zero-in an opportunity and what techniques can be used to face the uncertainty of how a startup actually works. Students will work in teams and simulate how to turn a great idea into a great company. Students will learn how to apply the concept of lean start-up to craft each part of a company. Students will “get out of the office/classroom” as they test each part of your business model and then share with the rest of the class.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the role of entrepreneurship in developing and growing ventures and outline why risk and uncertainty are inherent to the process. (Capability 1)
  2. Identify entrepreneurial techniques, models and strategies used in developing and growing science and technology ventures internationally. (Capability 3)
  3. Apply entrepreneurial processes and practices to plan and execute research for commercialisation of science and technology ventures. (Capability 2)
  4. Explain and communicate in written and verbal formats plans for how to develop and grow science and technology ventures to the satisfaction of various stakeholders. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Case Study Analysis 25% Individual Coursework
Group Project 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Peer Review 10% Individual Coursework
Oral assessment 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Case Study Analysis
Group Project
Peer Review
Oral assessment
All assessments are compulsory and must be attempted to pass the course.

Workload Expectations

The class will meet for six hours fortnightly. Class time will be used for a combination of lectures and discussions of case studies and current events. In addition to attending classes, students should be prepared to spend about another 10 hours per week on activities related to this course. These activities include carrying out the required readings, assessments, and activities.

Learning Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course.  A reading list with a set of mandatory and optional readings will be available through Canvas.  Students should expect two or three readings per session.

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 18/12/2019 04:55 p.m.