SCIENT 706 : Commercialisation Project

Science

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A supervised practical application of the theories, concepts and techniques of commercialisation, covered in courses SCIENT 701-705, to a research-based opportunity and its related intellectual property estate.

Course Overview

The central goal of SCIENT 706 is to provide PGDipBioEnt programme participants opportunities to extend their understanding of (1) the nature, theories, tools, and methods of research commercialisation, and (2) the practical realities of commercialising science-derived intellectual properties in an international context significantly. A related objective is to assist the projects’ science advisors – principal investigators, science doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows – in gaining or enhancing their appreciation for the challenges, concepts, and methods of research commercialisation.

SCIENT 706 is a 15-point ‘action-learning course that applies research commercialisation theory to realtime science research research-derived intellectual properties. The course consists of two significant group term projects conducted with the assistance of UniServices mentors under formal confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements. The intellectual properties used for the projects of the course have been sourced from Auckland UniServices Limited.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: SCIENT 701, 702, 704 Corequisite: SCIENT 703, 705

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
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. Apply technology assessment methods relevant to bioscience-and life-science based technologies, knowledge, and intellectual property. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  2. Explore personal, team, managerial, and institutional issues and challenges in technology transfer and research commercialisation. (Capability 1, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Describe and analyse key issues and challenges in evaluating an actively researched bioscience-based intellectual property. (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  4. Assess the potential for, and means of realising value from, actual bioscience-related technologies and their related intellectual property estates. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Group report and presentation to evaluate a technology based opportunity 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Group report and presentation to assess the commercialisation pathway for a technology based opportunity 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Individual project preparatory work 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Group report and presentation to evaluate a technology based opportunity
Group report and presentation to assess the commercialisation pathway for a technology based opportunity
Individual project preparatory work

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

Key Topics

  • Week 1: Course Introduction; Project #1 Launch; Library database review; Key concepts in assessing commercial opportunities for early stage science
  • Week 2: Meetings with Principal Investigators for Project #1; Project planning
  • Week 3: Individual Team Session with UniServices Mentors
  • Week 4: Team Work-In-Progress Presentations
  • Week 5: Individual Team Session with UniServices Mentors
  • Week 6: Final Presentation to Panel on Project #1
  • Week 7: Project #2 Launch; Key concepts in assessing commercialisation pathways for new technologies
  • Week 8: Meetings with Principal Investigators for Project #2
  • Week 9: Individual Team Session with UniServices Mentors
  • Week 10: Team Work-In-Progress Presentations
  • Week 11: Individual Team Session with UniServices Mentors
  • Week 12: Final Presentation to Panel on Project #2

Special Requirements

Must complete practical work / compulsory participation

Workload Expectations

In most weeks there will be a 3-hour class. These classes will take various forms: 1) lectures/seminars, 2) team-based project sessions with staff mentors, 3) work with clients/guest speakers, or 4) student presentations of project findings (see below).

Outside classes, students are expected to spend up to 2 hours preparing for class and between 5-7 hours per week working on their projects. Of that 5-7 hours per week, students should be prepared that 2 hours will be face-to-face project work with their team members.

In Weeks 4, 6, 10 and 12 the 3-hour class is used for team presentations of interim and final project findings.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at all scheduled activities in order to complete the prescribed components of the course.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Being project-based, SCIENT 706 does not follow a prescribed series of lectures. Rather, it requires self-discipline, self-motivation and the initiative to seek relevant resources for each unique project. Considerable outside research and report preparation will be required in advance of specific class sessions.

All teams will be expected to be prepared fully in advance for the work of the day. Deliverables will be due as indicated in the course ‘meta-calendar’ matrix.

Late work is not acceptable in this course – or in professional situations in general. Given the structure of the projects and the ‘system redundancy’ available with teams, there is no basis for late work or ‘no shows’ at scheduled meetings – especially those involving Principal Investigators and Mentors.


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 are no prescribed materials for 706 other than those disclosed materials provided by UniServices and covered under a formal non-disclosure agreement. The reading material prescribed in SCIENT705 is also relevant. In addition to the 705 course texts and resource materials, a variety of materials may be referenced or suggested to use in 706 this term. A suggested reference list is available on Canvas (under the file name Resource 01) as well as some general guidelines on secondary sources of data for commercialisation (Resource 02). Other material can be downloaded from the Library web pages, and/or the UniServices website. 

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.

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.

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.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.