Students

MQBS8970 – Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer, Unit Coordinator
Ralf Wilden
ralf.wilden@mq.edu.au
Contact via +61 (2) 9850 1413
4 Eastern Road, Room 232
by appointment
Lecturer
Rania Salama
rania.salama@mq.edu.au
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertRes or GradDipRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Innovation and entrepreneurship lie at the heart of societal wealth, economic growth, and firm success. However, the failure rates of new products and services as well as business ventures are high and highlight the importance of effectively managing the commercialisation process. This unit examines the multiple pathways that lead from idea generation via development to value creation in markets. It allows learners to identify the various actors necessary for lifting ideas emerging from basic and applied research to sustainable business models, which create personal, organisational, and societal value.

Through a combination of case studies, projects, and active learning, learners will gain valuable insights into the key stages of the commercialisation process. They will develop essential business skills such as strategic thinking, market analysis, business model design, financial analysis, and crafting market-based strategies.

This unit enables learners to go through the commercialisation and entrepreneurial process and identify the resources and skills necessary to develop and execute a business model. Its primary goal is to enable learners to develop a business case or proposal for a scientific discovery by effectively navigating the challenges inherent in relevant contexts.     

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Evaluate pathways of commercialisation.
  • ULO2: Identify and apply appropriate frameworks to commercialisation contexts.
  • ULO3: Develop and effectively communicate a business case for a new offering.

General Assessment Information

Late submissions of assessments 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Special Consideration

To request an extension on the due date/time for a timed or non-timed assessment task, you must submit a Special Consideration application. An application for Special Consideration does not guarantee approval.

The approved extension date for a student becomes the new due date for that student. The late submission penalties above then apply as of the new due date.

Word limits

Anything beyond a stated assessment word limit (other than your reference list) may not be marked. Seek any further clarification from the unit convenor.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional practice: Business Case Development 40% No Week 8, Tuesday, 11:59 pm AEST
Skills Development: Evaluating Commercialisation Strategies 30% No Week 12, in-class
Professional Practice: Pitch for Commercialisation 30% No Week 13, Monday 11:59 pm AEST

Professional practice: Business Case Development

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 8, Tuesday, 11:59 pm AEST
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gather and analyse information on a new product or start-up idea and communicate your insights in a professional business context.

You will be allocated a section of a case study and prepare a structured written business case, applying business model and value proposition frameworks, synthesising research findings, and demonstrating commercialisation thinking.

Skills in focus:

  • Communication
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Written Report (details provided on ilearn)

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate pathways of commercialisation.
  • Identify and apply appropriate frameworks to commercialisation contexts.
  • Develop and effectively communicate a business case for a new offering.

Skills Development: Evaluating Commercialisation Strategies

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Week 12, in-class
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to critically evaluate a peer’s business proposal and communicate your insights in a professional and collegial context.

You will review a peer’s submission, critique the value proposition and business model, and prepare a structured written review that reflects your understanding of commercialisation and innovation frameworks.

Skills in focus:

  • Communication
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Written Report (details provided on iLearn)

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate pathways of commercialisation.

Professional Practice: Pitch for Commercialisation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: Week 13, Monday 11:59 pm AEST
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work collaboratively with your peers and present and communicate insights from a business case in a professional setting.

You will be allocated a case study and, as a team, prepare and deliver a structured oral presentation to your peers, demonstrating your ability to synthesise market information, apply business frameworks, and communicate commercialisation strategies.

Skills in focus:

  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Discipline Knowledge

Deliverable: Oral presentation (details provided on ilearn)

Group Assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate pathways of commercialisation.
  • Identify and apply appropriate frameworks to commercialisation contexts.
  • Develop and effectively communicate a business case for a new offering.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Please refer to the unit content on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook