INFC7000: Semester 2, 2025

Units INFC7000 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

INFC7000: Inventing the Future

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This is an interdisciplinary unit, is jointly run by the faculties of Science, Engineering, Business, Architecture, Design and Planning. It is aimed at high achieving post-graduate students from these faculties, to provide them with high level skills in research translation, design and innovation. Student teams are a given a real product brief, of social and economic importance, and aligned with areas of university research. They must respond to this brief, producing a working prototype product and business case.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Science Faculty
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students are expected to be experienced in their own discipline at a postgraduate level
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maryanne Large, maryanne.large@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Assessment 1: Video journal Monthly individual video journals to record the progress of your project	15%	Multiple weeks	3 x videos 1 minute each	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 2: Individual response Individual discipline-based response to your chosen topic	25%	Week 03 Due date: 26 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Sep 2025	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 4: Research insights and market plan - Part 2 Team market opportunity and commercialisation plan presented in class	0%	Week 10	5 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 4: Research insights and market plan Team market opportunity and commercialisation plan presented in class	20%	Week 10 Due date: 21 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Jul 2025	5 minutes plus Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 3: Team plan Team plan report	10%	Week 10 Due date: 02 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Sep 2025	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 5: Final pitch Part 2 Minimum viable product funding pitch including demonstration of prototype	0%	Week 13	5-10 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 5: Final pitch Minimum viable product funding pitch including demonstration of prototype	30%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Nov 2025	10 minutes plus Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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.

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.

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	Unit overview and technical brief introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Circular economy, service flip	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Grounding and user research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Students to discuss their individual responses and team preferences	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Grounding and user research – problem identification	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Mentoring session- user research, systems mapping	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Design thinking and ideation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Behavioral Insights Workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Introduction to business and marketing principles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Initial presentation and feedback	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Business models	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Optional bookable in-person mentoring	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Introduction to intellectual property	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Group work on business plan	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Presentation skills- principles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Optional bookable in-person mentoring	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Taking a product to market-testing and quality	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Presentation skills workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Extension lecture	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Practice pitch session	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Practice pitch session	Rehearsal (2 hr)
Week 13	Final presentations	Presentation (3 hr)

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 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. At the end of this unit students will understand how to work in an interdisciplinary team, and be able to project manage the work
LO2. Students will learn the techniques of ideation and be able to apply them to both identifying a problem, and developing a solution
LO3. Students will learn and be able to apply the principles of design thinking
LO4. Students will learn, and be able to apply, the basics of systems thinking, including developing a systems map for their project
LO5. Students will learn and be able to apply business principles, such as the business model canvas
LO6. Students will understand different types of intellectual property, and how they are relevant to innovation
LO7. Students will learn how to prototype and test their product or service. This could include low fidelity prototyping, or a basic working prototype. Depending on the product, this may involve different techniques, including 3D printing, virtual reality, physical computing, etc.
LO8. Students will learn presentation skills, and be able to apply them to a pitch (in person or video).

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.

Several changes to the schedule and assessment tasks were made in response to student feedback and to better cater for hybrid delivery of classes.

Additional information

Science student portal

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links