Outline

Overview

This unit provides students with access to valuable, protected intellectual property which has been generated across the university to enable them to identify product-market fit. Students are provided with the opportunity to learn and practice the processes required to create new business ventures. On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the commercialisation process through a portfolio of research, learnings and findings; design and implement validation tests for new business assumptions and identify good leadership practices and plan how to implement them within their entrepreneurial project.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	Students must meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Advanced Coursework), including completion of a pass undergraduate degree
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jarryd Daymond, jarryd.daymond@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Supervised closed-book exam on the theory and experience of the unit (BringYourOwnDevice exam on campus)	30%	December exam week	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Entrepreneurial Problem Video Video recorded overview of the proposed problem area to address	15%	Week 01 Due date: 29 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Dec 2025	5 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Entrepreneurship Project Pitch Presentation of a group-generated solution	45%	Week 03 Due date: 08 Dec 2025 at 09:00 Closing date: 08 Dec 2025	Slide deck and 12-15 minute presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation and Professionalism In-class activities and participation	10%	Weekly	Weekly participation in class activities	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Entrepreneurial Problem Video: Working in groups, you will record a video that outlines the entrepreneurial problem your team intends to address in the Entrepreneurship Project. This involves identifying and presenting a validated consumer demand or user concern that your assigned invention could solve through a product, service, or business model.
Entrepreneurship Project Pitch: In groups, you will deliver a live presentation of your entrepreneurial solution to a panel of judges. You will explain your project process, present your solution and prototypes, describe how you validated the problem with users and industry, and outline your go-to-market strategy. A supporting slide pack with appendices must also be submitted.
Participation and Professionalism: You will be assessed on your attendance, professional conduct, and constructive contributions in class. This includes active participation in discussions and the completion of pre-, in-, and post-class tasks.
Final Exam: You will complete an individual open-book exam consisting of two extended response questions. These will require you to connect entrepreneurship theory with your personal learning journey, critically reflecting on your development, the project process, and your application of concepts from the unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: - Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. - After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introducing the unit and entrepreneurship for commercialising science	Seminar (1.5 hr)
	Examining conceptual frameworks for entrepreneurial theory and practice	Seminar (1.5 hr)
	Understanding innovation, inventions, and intellectual property	Seminar (1.5 hr)
	Forming effective entrepreneurial teams	Seminar (1.5 hr)
	Interrogating the capabilities of assigned inventions	Seminar (3 hr)
	Exploring problem areas related to inventions	Seminar (3 hr)
	Validating the problem space through primary research	Seminar (3 hr)
	Synthesising insights into problem space	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Bridging the problem and solution spaces	Seminar (3 hr)
	Interrogating the proposed entrepreneurial solution	Seminar (3 hr)
	Prototyping and entrepreneurial experiments	Seminar (3 hr)
	Developing robust business models	Seminar (3 hr)
	Planning go-to-market strategies	Seminar (3 hr)
	Pitching entrepreneurial solutions	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Showcasing entrepreneurial ventures	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance in person and participation are mandatory for all seminars.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Execute the startup process in relation to the specific intellectual property provided within the unit
LO2. Identify and critically review business opportunities
LO3. Design and implement entrepreneurial experiments
LO4. Identify and validate an appropriate business model
LO5. Understand and apply entrepreneurial theories, models, and tools
LO6. Critically reflect on practical approaches to entrepreneurship

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been revised in response to student feedback. While the practical aspects, hands-on technology/invention experience, and real-life business model development will continue to be core elements of the unit, the following changes have been made to improve the unit's structure, group dynamics, and expectations: 1.) To create more time for interactive and practical activities, additional presentation material will be pre-recorded. As part of this, academic entrepreneurs will also share their commercialisation journeys to provide students with more insight into firsthand commercialisation experiences. 2.) More materials have been sourced and added to the curriculum to deepen understanding and demonstrate the application of theory to projects. 3.) To address the issue of uneven group contributions, individual participation and professionalism will be evaluated to ensure a fairer distribution of effort in group tasks and class activities. This will contribute to better group learning outcomes. 4.) To encourage consistent engagement with content throughout the unit and sustained contributions to the project, the open-book exam requires students to critically reflect on the learning journey throughout the unit, focusing on personal development, the project process, and the application of entrepreneurship theory. These changes will help enhance the positive impact of the unit on skill development, particularly in innovation and collaboration, which will continue to be a focus of the unit.

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BUSS4917: Entrepreneurship Project

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links