Outline

Overview

The computing field is changing very rapidly. Innovation is continual, with novel technology, novel processes, and novel business models. This unit prepares students for this aspect of their professional career, with a focus on understanding the complex relationships between innovation ideas and business value. The Business Canvas Model will be used to make systematic, the development of a case for business value. In particular, students will hear guest lectures from industry innovators, and they will learn about both successful and unsuccessful attempts to create business value from an innovative idea.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	INFO3333
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	INFO4990 or INFO5992
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should have knowledge of several different aspects of computing at the 3000-level
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Muhammad Sajjad Akbar, muhammad.akbar@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final Exam supervised exam type during exam period	55%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Oral/Viva based Evaluation Viva will be conducted during tutorial session in week 6. It will be based on the topics discussed in the first 5 weeks lectures/tutorials. More detail will be provided on the canvas website.	10%	Week 06	10 minutes per student	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Oral/Viva based Evaluation Viva will be conducted during tutorial session in week 11. It will be based on the topics discussed from week 6 to week 10 lectures/tutorials. More detail will be provided on the canvas website	10%	Week 11	10 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Group Assignment Group Project	25%	Week 11	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Viva in Week 6 (10%):

Viva will be conducted during tutorial session in week 6. It will be based on the topics discussed in the first 5 weeks lectures/tutorials. More detail will be provided on the canvas website.

Viva in Week 11 (10%):

Viva will be conducted during tutorial session in week 11. It will be based on the topics discussed from week 6 to week 10 lectures/tutorials. More detail will be provided on the canvas website

Group Assignment (25%): Group report on the application and discussion of the innovation and commercialisation frameworks and concepts for a hypothetical new product and company based on the same chosen technology but for a new industry in which the technology has not been widely applied and adopted.
Final Exam: 2-hours examination which consists of short-answer, medium-answer and long-answer questions. Covers content from week 1-12. Exam barrier 55%.

Detailed information for each assessment will be further communicated on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
AF	Range from 0 to 49	Absent fail
CA	Range from 65 to less than 75	Credit (Aegrotat)
CN	No mark	Cancelled
CR	Range from 65 to less than 75	Credit
DA	Range from 75 to less than 85	Distinction (Aegrotat)
DF	No mark	Discontinue – fail
DI	Range from 75 to less than 85	Distinction
DC	No mark	Discontinued not to count as failure
FA	Range from 0 to less than 50	Fail
FR*	No mark	Failed Requirements
HA	Range from 85 to 100 inclusive	High Distinction (Aegrotat)
HD	Range from 85 to 100 inclusive	High Distinction
IC	No mark	Incomplete
PA	Range from 50 to less than 65	Pass (Aegrotat)
PS	Range from 50 to less than 65	Pass
SA*	No mark	Satisfied Requirements (Aegrotat)
RI	No mark	Result incomplete
SR*	No mark	Satisfied requirements
UC	No mark	Unit of Study Continuing
WD	No mark	Withdraw

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:

As per the University policies.

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	Introduction: Unit of Study Introduction; IT Innovation and its Importance; General Purpose and Emerging Technologies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction: Unit of Study Introduction; IT Innovation and its Importance; General Purpose and Emerging Technologies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Innovation Frameworks I: Dominant Design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Innovation Frameworks I: Dominant Design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Innovation Frameworks II: Disruptive Innovation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Innovation Frameworks II: Disruptive Innovation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to open innovation and closed innovation; Distributed Innovation I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to open innovation and closed innovation; Distributed Innovation I	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Distributed Innovation II: Crowdsourcing, Free and Open Source Movements, User Innovation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Distributed Innovation II: Crowdsourcing, Free and Open Source Movements, User Innovation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Intellectual Property Protection for Innovation: Methods and Strategies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Intellectual Property Protection for Innovation: Methods and Strategies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Commercialisation I: Startup vs Traditional Companies, Customer Development Process, Lean Startup Methodology and Agile Development	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Commercialisation I: Startup vs Traditional Companies, Customer Development Process, Lean Startup Methodology and Agile Development	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Commercialisation II: Innovation Management and stratergies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Commercialisation II: Innovation Management and stratergies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Commercialisation III: Capital & Fundraising for IT Innovation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Commercialisation III: Capital & Fundraising for IT Innovation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Innovation Ecosystem: Silicon Valley and Australia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Innovation Ecosystem: Silicon Valley and Australia	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Entrepreneurship and startups - real world perspective	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Entrepreneurship and startups - real world perspective	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Project reflection, presentation and discussion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Project reflection, presentation and discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Unit Review, Examination Review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Unit Review, Examination Review	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

There are no specific attendance and class requirements for this unit. However, you should engage in tutorial activities to gain the 5% of continuous assessment marks.

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.

Required readings

There are specific prescribed readings for this unit. Recommended readings will be available on Canvas alongside lecture and tutorial materials.

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. Define innovation and differentiate between innovation and invention
LO2. Outline and discuss the importance of innovation to a country
LO3. Explain the concept of general-purpose technology and assess whether certain technologies are general-purpose technologies
LO4. Discuss and apply frameworks relating to the diffusion, adoption and maturity of innovation
LO5. Discuss and apply the concept of dominant design and any related framework(s), and evaluate the key drivers which contribute to the emergence of dominant design (or lack-thereof)
LO6. Explain key research on disruptive innovation and related concept(s), apply the Disruptive Innovation Model on specific case studies and discuss the concept of the Innovator’s Dilemma
LO7. Discuss, apply and evaluate open innovation, closed innovation and the eight open innovation methods
LO8. Outline and explain the different methods and strategies to protect the intellectual property of IT innovation
LO9. Discuss, apply and design the commercialisation process and business strategies for IT innovation, comprising of concepts and frameworks such as the customer development process, lean startups, agile development, value proposition canvas and business model canvas
LO10. Outline and evaluate the capital and fundraising pathways for IT innovation in Australia and abroad
LO11. Outline and evaluate the innovation ecosystems in Silicon Valley and Australia
LO12. Discuss and evaluate organisational cultures and structures that support innovation
LO13. Analyse, compare, contrast and judge IT innovation based on various methodologies

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.

Not available since UoS coordinator changed

Additional information

More information related to this unit will be provided in class or found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

INFO4444: Computing 4 Innovation

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - 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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links