Students

MQBS1000 – Applied Artificial Intelligence for Innovation and Impact

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Covenor
Nizar Hoblos
nizar.hoblos@mq.edu.au
Contact via nizar.hoblos@mq.edu.au
4ER-510
By appointment via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Artificial intelligence is now part of how we think, create, and work. This unit introduces students from all disciplines to how humans collaborate with AI to make decisions, drive innovation and impact in business and society. Students will explore the foundations of AI algorithms, data, computation, and energy use and their implications to business and society to understand how these systems function and influence human interaction. 

The unit develops AI literacy, prompting skills, and critical awareness of the social, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of AI. Through interactive activities and creative projects, students will learn to work with AI productively and responsibly to design, evaluate, communicate and apply ideas that generate positive impact.  

By the end, students will be able to approach AI as a collaborator, combining human judgement and creativity with AI capabilities while recognising both opportunities and risks. 

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: Explain key concepts, capabilities, and limitations of contemporary AI technologies, and communicate their functions and impact on human interaction in accessible, non-technical terms.
  • ULO2: Analyse the opportunities and risks of AI adoption for businesses, communities, and society, using relevant examples.
  • ULO3: Evaluate AI applications using principles of responsible and ethical AI frameworks and standards in real-world contexts.
  • ULO4: Apply analytical thinking to identify opportunities for AI-enabled solutions to address business or societal challenges.
  • ULO5: Collaborate with AI tools to design and present AI-enabled solutions that respond to identified challenges.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Skills development - AI and me: A professional reflection 20% No 05/04/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Skills development: Prompt design portfolio 40% No 10/05/2026 Individual No Open AI
Professional practice: AI for innovation and impact project 40% No Week 13 Individual and Group No Observed

Skills development - AI and me: A professional reflection

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 05/04/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to build an understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its relevance to your discipline, experiences, and broader social, ethical, and regulatory implications.  

You will reflect on your learning journey and explore how your views on AI have changed, what you’ve learned about its capabilities and limitations, and how this may influence your future professional practice. 

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship

 

Deliverable(s): Reflective report [max 800 - 1000 words]

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts, capabilities, and limitations of contemporary AI technologies, and communicate their functions and impact on human interaction in accessible, non-technical terms.
  • Analyse the opportunities and risks of AI adoption for businesses, communities, and society, using relevant examples.
  • Evaluate AI applications using principles of responsible and ethical AI frameworks and standards in real-world contexts.

Skills development: Prompt design portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 10/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to build foundational skills in prompt design and engineering for effective human–AI collaboration. 

You will produce a report by undertaking a refinement prompting challenge provided by the teaching team and identify shortcomings in clarity, context, and structure, then re-engineer the prompt using advanced techniques and presentation of testing and comparing outputs and rationale.   

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Work readiness
  • Digital skills

 

Deliverable(s): Written submission [max 2000 words] and presentation (max 7 mins)

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts, capabilities, and limitations of contemporary AI technologies, and communicate their functions and impact on human interaction in accessible, non-technical terms.
  • Analyse the opportunities and risks of AI adoption for businesses, communities, and society, using relevant examples.
  • Evaluate AI applications using principles of responsible and ethical AI frameworks and standards in real-world contexts.
  • Apply analytical thinking to identify opportunities for AI-enabled solutions to address business or societal challenges.
  • Collaborate with AI tools to design and present AI-enabled solutions that respond to identified challenges.

Professional practice: AI for innovation and impact project

Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work collaboratively with your peers to design an AI-enabled solution or artefact that addresses a real business or societal challenge. 

You will create a report by analysing opportunities and trends in your chosen context, evaluate the ethical and professional implications of your proposed solution, and present a justified approach that demonstrates both creativity and rigour.  

 

Skills in focus:

  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Collaboration skills 

 

Deliverable(s): Written group report - 15% [max 2000 words] and presentation (max 7 mins marked individually 25%).

Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts, capabilities, and limitations of contemporary AI technologies, and communicate their functions and impact on human interaction in accessible, non-technical terms.
  • Analyse the opportunities and risks of AI adoption for businesses, communities, and society, using relevant examples.
  • Evaluate AI applications using principles of responsible and ethical AI frameworks and standards in real-world contexts.
  • Apply analytical thinking to identify opportunities for AI-enabled solutions to address business or societal challenges.
  • Collaborate with AI tools to design and present AI-enabled solutions that respond to identified challenges.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

This Unit will be delivered on a weekly schedule with both in-person face to face and online options. The structure of the unit assumes a 12-week semester with 3 hours weekly sessions (1.5-hour lecture + 1.5-hour tutorial workshops), plus independent study and assessment preparation. Tutorial sessions will start from week 2 onwards. Week 13 will be reserved for Group Assessment Oral Presentations during the Lecture and in respective Tutorial Sessions. All resources required for the unit will be shared 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 2026.03 of the Handbook