BIOTECH 7030 - Science Commercialisation & Innovation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the innovation process and key components of commercialisation, with particular emphasis on science and technology-based innovation. Students are introduced to the key steps in the research commercialisation process, learn how research relates to innovation activities and processes, and how opportunities for capturing value from research are identified. The course will give students a working knowledge of procedures involved in protecting and managing their Intellectual Property through case studies and the legal framework underpinning these rights. Industry perspectives on the value of higher degrees in science, career possibilities and pathways are also covered. Course participants include University of Adelaide academic and commercialisation specialist staff, and contributors from industry.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOTECH 7030
    Course Science Commercialisation & Innovation
    Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical), Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) (Advanced) and Biopharmaceutical Engineering students only
    Course Description The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the innovation process and key components of commercialisation, with particular emphasis on science and technology-based innovation. Students are introduced to the key steps in the research commercialisation process, learn how research relates to innovation activities and processes, and how opportunities for capturing value from research are identified.

    The course will give students a working knowledge of procedures involved in protecting and managing their Intellectual Property through case studies and the legal framework underpinning these rights. Industry perspectives on the value of higher degrees in science, career possibilities and pathways are also covered.

    Course participants include University of Adelaide academic and commercialisation specialist staff, and contributors from industry.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Benjamin Keiller

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Describe the key components and processes involved in the commercialisation of research.
    2. Understand how research relates to innovation, and how to identify opportunities to capture value from research.
    3. Understand the nature of intellectual property, the importance and limitations of patents, the patenting process, patent   infringement and IP management.
    4. Develop skills in interpreting and validating patent documents and the impact on their own research.
    5. Develop a strategy for career development by using appropriate pathways and identifying key determinants for success.




    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,2,3,4,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2,4,5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2,3,4,5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,2,5
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.

    The intensive component will comprise 2 full days (9:00am –5:00pm) on two separate occasions, i.e. a total of 4 days.

    The lecture component will comprise a series of topics including:
    entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and commercialisation.

     Topic Content 

    1.     Introduction – What’s this course about?

    2.     What is Entrepreneurship? Some Definitions

    3.     Creativity and Innovation

    4.     Ideas, Opportunities, and Innovation

    5.     Researching the Customer and the Competition

    6.     The Business Plan

    7.     How can the Start-up be Funded?

    8.     What is Intellectual Property? Some Definitions

    9.     Understanding Intellectual Property

    10.  Managing Intellectual Property

    11.  Commercialisation
    Specific Course Requirements
    This will be run as an intensive course, with 2 full days (9:00am – 5:00pm) on two separate occasions, i.e. a total of 4 days, divided
    into 2 day blocks. Students will be expected to have completed the required background reading prior to the course commencement. The background reading will be brief introductory documents to the topics covered in each 2 day block.  This will familiarise students
    with no prior knowledge in the area with key concepts and commonly used terms.

    Each 2 day block will comprise a series of interactive workshops (9:00am – 1:00pm) followed by tutorials in the afternoon (2:00pm).

    Attendance is compulsory.

    Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable experiential learning in workshops during the
    intensive classes that build knowledge and thus enable students to be successful in this course.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.