Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Biotechnology innovations are increasingly being used in commercial ways. Accordingly, there is a need for biotechnology practitioners and business managers to appreciate the strategies and approaches used in industry and government organisations for the research, development and commercialisation of those innovations. This appreciation is best gained through direct exposure to real world situations. Students will study strategies and approaches used in industry and government organisations for the research, development and commercialisation of biotechnology innovations. This is an integrative unit that extends beyond the theoretical base by offering case studies from within the biotechnology industry sector for discussion and critical reflection. The unit also offers the opportunity to read widely as well as in depth about the commercialisation of molecular biology and biotechnology research.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with experiences that develop your knowledge of and skills in the processes involved in bringing biotechnology based products to the market.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The Faculty of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of, through case analysis and research papers a wide range of real-world examples and conceptual issues of the commercialisation process involved in the transition from lab to market.
2. Analyse and critically debate different strategies employed in the commercialisation process with respect to the respective products.
3. Discuss the role and implications of the different components of the commercialisation process.
4. Articulate the strategies and approaches applied in the commercialisation of real-world biotechnological innovations.
5. Integrate and evaluate the principles of technology commercialisation and innovation management, from the perspective of the management and processes involved.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The content of this unit equips you with a strong conceptual foundation for understanding of technological innovation and commercialisation strategies. You will be introduced to the importance of technological innovation as a driver for value creation in biotechnology industry. The key technology commercialisation processes through which an innovative idea is transformed into a successful product or service in the marketplace also will be studied, including encouraging risk-taking, discovering market opportunities, protection of intellectual property and attracting resources. This unit will include guest speakers on alternate weeks during the course of the semester. The theoretical base will be introduced by the lecturer in each alternate week. This will be completed by the guest speaker in each instance as they provide seminars and detailed case analyses on specified topics. The guest speakers will be selected from industry including CEOs of biotech firms, government representatives, research centre directors and other major players in the supply chain. Each seminar will be followed by a plenary session in which discussion is based upon issues raised in the talk and relevant issues emanating from your reading of the literature.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Both the lecturer and the guest speakers will facilitate the applied and active learning experience in this unit. Group sessions with industry and academic representatives will expand on topical areas of discussion and provide mentoring opportunities. You will be encouraged to participate in discussion and interact with guest speakers. This unit serves as an integration of the principles of science, business and law principles and provides the opportunity for the coalescence of the different perspectives and philosophies learnt throughout the course.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and

Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: You are required to present two papers, preferably one research paper and one case study, of your choice during tutorials.
Length/Duration: 30 minutes
Formative or Summative:Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.2), TW (4.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Weeks 3 to 12

Assessment name: Case Analysis
Description: You are required to write a critical appraisal of the lab to market transition undertaken by one of the industry or government organisations in the commercialisation process.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: You are required to write a research paper on a topic related to the course content. Further guidelines and possible research topics will be made available on the unit's Blackboard site.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Text
Hine, D. & Kapeleris, J. (2006). Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology, An International Perspective: Concepts, Theories and Cases. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Other Resources
Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.

There are no out-of-the-ordinary costs associated with this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 30-May-2012