SCIENT 705 : Research Commercialisation

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Integrative exploration of common theories, processes and models involved in commercialising scientific research. Topics include technology transfer, technological entrepreneurship, commercial potential, risk, and valuation assessment and related tools. Utilises multiple learning approaches including case studies and a 'hands-on' term project.

Course Overview

Research commercialisation is a process the brings together multiple perspectives including strategic management, innovation management, and entrepreneurship, to make decisions with limited information and extremely limited resources. The goals of this course are for you to (i) develop a broad understanding of the bioscience commercialisation process and (ii) use models, frameworks, and techniques to develop a better understanding of and discuss the key issues that decision-makers face.

Emphasis is put on drawing from and integrating your previous learning from SCIENT 701, 702 and 704. Similarly, topics in the first part of SCIENT 705 directly inform your SCIENT 706 projects.

SCIENT 705 is a required course for students enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma of Bioscience Enterprise (PGDipBioEnt) and the Master of Bioscience Enterprise (MBioEnt). Students who completed SCIENT 701 and SCIENT 702 take this course as part of the programme. SCIENT 705 occasionally attracts postgraduate exchange students with biomedical, food science, and agrotechnology backgrounds, and we welcome their international perspectives.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: SCIENT 701, 702

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the main stages and key challenges in research commercialisation through in-class case discussions (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Outline why uncertainty and risk are inherent to the commercialisation process though in-class case discussions and written case analysis (Capability 2, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Analyse and evaluate business models (i.e. value appropriation/value capture) and related strategies used to advance the commercialisation of bioscience opportunities through in-class case discussions, presentations, and written case analysis (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 6)
  4. Integrate different disciplinary tools and concepts to assess the feasibility of science-based opportunities through in-class case discussions and written case analysis (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  5. Outline the consequences that global research commercialisation patterns have for bioscience in Aotearoa-NZ though in-class case discussions (Capability 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Individual case study analysis 40% Individual Coursework
Team research commercialisation plan 25% Group & Individual Coursework
Team milestone presentation 5% Group & Individual Coursework
Individual case discussion 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Individual case study analysis
Team research commercialisation plan
Team milestone presentation
Individual case discussion

Special Requirements

This course uses case-based discussions in 8 of the 12 weeks Students must participate in the discussion as the mark for the assessment is derived from participation across the semester. 

The team research commercialisation plan is based on a team case analysis; teams are formed by Week 5 based using a criterion-based approach.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10-12 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, students can expect one 3-hour class per week. There we clarify key concepts in the pre-set readings and then discuss the pre-set case. There are assignment Q&A sessions some weeks. Week 7 is a workshop for the team commercialisation report and Week 8 is dedicated to team milestone presentations.

Outside classes, students are expected to spend up to 5 hours each week preparing for class - there is a written case and 2-3 articles/book chapters most weeks - and between 2-3 hours per week working on the assignments. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Traditionally, SCIENT 705 uses the Harvard-style case discussion approach, which involves discussing the decision options available to entrepreneurs and managers based on your analysis of a case using different frameworks and models. Most weeks, you will read a case study and two articles that introduce different frameworks/models on a topic. Students analyse the case using the frameworks before class. In class, students discuss with their colleagues the research commercialisation decision that the organisation in the case faces and recommend what action the manager or entrepreneur should take. Developing your skills to put forward and discuss your views with colleagues are key transferable skills gained from this course. A new lecturer takes over this course, and there might be a shift away from this case method. More information will be available about changes in June 2024

Attendance is expected. Should some sessions need to run virtually, then arrangements will be made for case discussions to continue via live Zoom meetings in the class timeslot. You are expected to have video and microphone functions to be seen and heard in the case discussion.

Lecture recordings are of limited value to your learning in SCIENT 705. Lecture recordings are designed to record a lecturer delivering information (where available). They are not designed to capture the discussion between students, which is the main purpose of classes in SCIENT 705.

Learning 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.

There is no coursebook or textbook, but students do need to purchase some case studies from the Harvard Case Centre. This is approximately NZ$50 and you will need a debit or credit card to pay for them. More information is provided on Canvas.
Assignment information and weekly instructions are provided on Canvas.
Readings and some case studies are provided by the library and accessed via the Readings List on Canvas.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course 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.

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

Case discussion has been the basis for SCIENT705 since 2017. The cases and the related readings are regularly updated. Some students love the opportunity to 'talk' their arguments, while others find it very challenging. There are several techniques used at the class and individual levels to create a supportive learning environment and help all students to develop their skills for case-based discussion.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

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.