Course Title: Entrepreneurship in Research
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Entrepreneurship in Research
Credit Points: 12.00
Flexible Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
OENG1160 |
City Campus |
Research |
172H School of Engineering |
Internet |
RSCHYr2021 (RE11) |
Course Coordinator: JJ Richardson
Course Coordinator Phone: n/a
Course Coordinator Email: jj.richardson@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: -
Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None for 2018 and 2019
In 2018 and 2019, this course will only be available to Engineering PhD students who have consumed 1.5 - 2 EFTSL candidature.
Course Description
This course will provide HDR students with a foundation in commercial and entrepreneurial practice. The course is designed to assist research students in their transition to work within innovation active organisations or to further their own entrepreneurial interests.
Students will examine the interface between innovation, technology and entrepreneurship from an interdisciplinary perspective linking engineering/science with business and management practice. Through case studies and selected readings students will develop new insights to facilitate evidence-based decision making involving the integration of technology strategy with business strategy. Students will utilize their HDR research project as a platform to explore the role research and development can play in the creation of new business ventures and/or to deliver competitive advantage within existing organisations.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
You will demonstrate intellectual independence to plan and execute original research:
- with initiative and creativity in new situations and/or for further learning
- with full responsibility and accountability for personal outputs
- with the ongoing capacity to generate new knowledge, including in the context of professional practice
Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Critically review models for technology management that link innovation, entrepreneurship and business strategy.
- Propose and defend a strategic framework for managing innovation and technology in small and large organisations.
- Understand the interrelationship between research and technical readiness with product and process lifecycle and market opportunity.
- Mount a compelling value proposition and business case for a research intervention
- Understand and apply key contractual, intellectual property and commercial principles to a research project
- Be aware of humanistic and workplace cultural aspects governing success or failure of technical/commercial strategies including ethics.
Overview of Learning Activities
The course activities are structured around lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshop discussions, projects and presentations. Where appropriate students will leverage their research project as a primary case study (project) to reinforce learning outcomes.
Course concepts, theories and strategies will be reinforced and applied through project based learning activities which will provide an opportunity for students to collaborate, innovate and communicate their findings.
Total study hours
Thirty-six (36) teacher-guided hours for one semester. The course activities are structured around lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshop discussions, on-line activities, collaborative projects (peer to peer learning) and presentations
Overview of Learning Resources
Course-related resources will be provided on Blackboard, which is accessed through myRMIT. This can include lecture material, case studies, supplementary course notes, problem sheets and solutions and quiz questions and references.
Overview of Assessment
The FINAL grade, students will receive at the end of this semester, for this course is either a satisfactory (PX) or an unsatisfactory (NN).
Assessment item 1: Short assignments
Weighting of final grade: 30%
Related course learning outcomes: 1,2,5
Description: In small multi-disciplinary groups you will undertake a series of short assignments providing a critical analysis of and responsibilities associated with: confidentiality and research agreements and intellectual property management strategies.
Assessment item 2: Business plan
Weighting of final grade: 40%
Related course learning outcomes: 1-3, 6
Description: You will develop a succinct business plan for the development and commercialisation of your HDR research project. You will justify your decision to focus the business plan as a start-up venture or as an integrated business strategy for an established organisation.
Assessment item 3: Project Pitch
Weighting of final grade: 30%
Related course learning outcomes: 1,4,5
Description: You provide a polished presentation pitch outlining a value proposition for a potential investor to consider your project.