Please refer to the Macquarie University Policies and Procedures, specially with respect to submission of assignments, academic honesty policy,  extensions and late submissions.

Aim: This unit provides students with an understanding of the process that an entrepreneur employs to develop an innovative idea into an opportunity for commercialisation. Students will acquire the skills to apply sound principles of entrepreneurial strategy to evaluate STEM innovations and to identify critical resources in achieving a successful and impactful outcome. At the end of the unit, students will be able to develop a commercialisation pitch for presenting their proposals to Investors, industry and the public.

Textbook : Readings and reading materials to be provided on iLearn

Main topics with a dedicated focus on STEM will be presented

1. Developing new ideas innovative solutions
   1. Techniques and processes
   2. The nature of commercialisation of Tech and Deep Tech
2. Resources –
   1. Understanding fundamental IP law and regulatory frameworks (ISO, TGA etc.)
   2. Understanding fundamental economics and accounting
   3. Lean canvas
   4. Developing value propositions
   5. Identifying and developing market knowledge (customers vs users)
3. Marketing (selling the idea)
   1. Preparatory steps
      1. Identifying targets (market research)
      2. Communicating with developers
      3. Communicating with marketers/artists
   2. The art of the Pitch
   3. Media Training (social and Mainstream)
4. Other issues
   1. Business setup/running basics –
   2. Developing business plans
   3. Sourcing finance

Classes

Timetable: Please check https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2017/default.aspx for the official timetable of the unit.

Technology Used and Required

You are expected to access the unit iLearn web site frequently and to download all necessary PDF files. To access the unit web site, if you have off-campus Internet access, start your web browser and proceed as above for logging in. On-campus wireless access is also available. If you do not have your computer, you may wish to access the FOSC805 web resources on campus using the computers in the Library.

 To view the lecture notes and other PDF files on the website, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 9 or later to be installed on your computer. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/. If you are using computers in the library, then Acrobat has already been installed.

We will also be using ECHO Interactive (from iLEARN), and therefore you will be required to bring your laptop, tablet, smartphone to the lectures.

Please note information may also be sent by email to your student email account, so please look at your student email account frequently.

Unit Web Page

The web page for this unit is at Macquarie's new learning management system website: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Login and follow to FOSC 805.

You are expected to access the unit web site frequently (i.e., almost daily). This site contains important information including lecture notes (that you will be expected to access in class), mid-semester exams and assignment. 

Logging In: Type in the URL http://ilearn.mq.edu.au and find FOSC805. Your username is your Macquarie Student ID Number (MQID), which is an eight digit number located on your student card. The password is your myMQ Student Portal password. This will be the original MQID password (2 random characters followed by your date of birth in ddmmyy format) that was sent to you on enrolment unless you have already changed your password in the myMQ Student Portal. If you experience difficulties in getting your reprint or your password, please contact the StudentIT Desk (ph: 9850 6500).

Teaching and Learning Strategy

FOSC805 is a 3-credit point half-year unit and will require an average of 9 hours of work per week (contact hours plus self-study time).

FOSC805 consists of:

• Two hours of lectures and a
• 2 hour COMPULSORY tutorial class every week.

The lecture material and tutorial complement each other and have been developed to increase your understanding of the topics so you can achieve the learning outcomes.

The purpose of tutorials will be to develop higher level critical thinking skills in students and teach contemporary skills.

The unit coordinator’s expectation is that you will:

·   Attend all interactive lectures. If you cannot attend a lecture, you are expected to listen to the iLecture as soon as possible after it is made available.

·   Demonstrate reasonable competence in all exercises exercises and attend and participate in each class/tutorial.

·   Perform satisfactorily in all assessments.

·   Spend an average of no less than 2 hours per week of private study in addition to direct contact.

If you prepare and attend all components of the unit and work consistently/continuously throughout the semester, you should be able to develop a strong understanding of leadership and develop strategic skills to help you achieve greater goals post study.

You are expected to use the lecture materials in the lectures (or bring them) so you can spend most of the time listening rather than transcribing. The lectures are interactive and you will be expected to have input in polls and discussions. Do not assume notes or iLectures are in any way a suitable substitute for attending lectures – lecturers from all departments put an effort into making the lectures up to date and relevant.

Learning is an active process, and as such, you must engage with the material. This means downloading and reading lecture notes and case studies completing reflection exercises and participating in poll questions online.

Please note that the dates shown are fixed however the activity/speaker may be subject to change. All changes will be updated on ilearn regularly. 

Some changes in quality of offerings and guest lectures. Slight changes in weighting of assignments.