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Unit of study_

OINF5992: Understanding IT Innovations

Semester 1a, 2024 [Online] - Online Program

An essential skill for an IT manager is the ability to keep up-to-date with emerging technologies, and be able to evaluate the significance of these technologies to their organisation's business activities. This unit of study is based around a study of current technologies and the influence of these technologies on business strategies. Important trends in innovation in IT are identified and their implications for innovation management explored. Major topics include: drivers of innovation; the trend to open information ("open source") rather than protected intellectual property; and distribution of innovation over many independent but collaborating actors. On completion of this unit, students will be able to identify and analyse an emerging technology and write a detailed evaluation of the impact of this technology on existing business practices.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OINF5992
Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
INFO5992 or PMGT5875
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ali Anaissi, ali.anaissi@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Proctored Final Exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Small test MCQ Online Test 01
MCQ Online test on canvas
2.5% Week 02
Due date: 03 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test MCQ Online Test 02
MCQ Online Test on canvas
2.5% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Assignment Individual Case Assignment Part 1
Assignment (Upload)
20% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Small test MCQ Online Test 03
MCQ Online test on canvas
2.5% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO1 LO9
Small test MCQ Online Test 04
MCQ Online test on canvas
2.5% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO10 LO12 LO11
Assignment Individual Case Assignment Part 2
Assignment (Upload)
20% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2024 at 23:59
6 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO12
Presentation Case Assignment Presentation
Upload presentation deck and recording on Canvas
10% Week 07
Due date: 07 Apr 2024 at 23:59
7 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

All assessments in this unit will be carried online. The instruction for each assessment will be shared via canvas and/or Ed.

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.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Excellent course work

Distinction

75 - 84

Very good course work

Credit

65 - 74

Good course work
 

Pass

50 - 64

Fair course work

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.

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Late penalties are applied as per University policy (5% of the maximum mark per day, up to a maximum of 10 days, after which a mark of zero is awarded)

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: Introduction to unit and Innovation Frameworks. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (2.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 1: Innovation Frameworks and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (2.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Module 2: Development of Key Intellectual Property in Modern Age Part 1. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (1.5 hr) LO7
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 2: Development of Key Intellectual Property in Modern Age Part 1, and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO7
Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (5 hr) LO7
Week 03 Module 2: Development of Key Intellectual Property in Modern Age Part 2. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (2.5 hr) LO7
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 2: Development of Key Intellectual Property in Modern Age Part 2, and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO7
Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (5 hr) LO7
Week 04 Module 3: Commercialisation Process and Business Strategies for Emerging Technologies Part 1. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (3 hr) LO8 LO9
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 3: Commercialisation Process and Business Strategies for Emerging Technologies Part 1, and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO8 LO9
Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (4.5 hr) LO8 LO9
Week 05 Module 3: Commercialisation Process and Business Strategies for Emerging Technologies Part 2. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (2.5 hr) LO8 LO9
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 3: Commercialisation Process and Business Strategies for Emerging Technologies Part 2, and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO8 LO9
Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (5 hr) LO8 LO9
Week 06 Module 4: Innovation At-Scale. Online pre-recorded lectures for students to watch at their own pace. Independent study (4 hr) LO10 LO11 LO12
Weekly live seminar held to discuss Module 4: Innovation At-Scale and do some case studies to better understand the topic Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO10 LO11 LO12
Weekly Pre-Readings and Post-Readings Independent study (5 hr) LO10 LO11 LO12

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 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.

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

  • LO1. LO1. Define innovation and differentiate between innovation and invention
  • LO2. LO2. Outline and discuss the importance of innovation to a country
  • LO3. LO3. Explain the concept of general-purpose technology and assess whether certain technologies are general purpose technologies
  • LO4. LO4. Discuss and apply frameworks relating to the diffusion, adoption and maturity of innovation
  • LO5. 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. 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. LO7. Discuss, apply and evaluate open innovation, closed innovation and the eight open innovation methods
  • LO8. LO8. 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
  • LO9. LO9. Outline and evaluate the capital and fundraising pathways for IT innovation in Australia and abroad
  • LO10. LO10. Outline and evaluate the innovation ecosystems in Silicon Valley and Australia
  • LO11. LO11. Discuss and evaluate organisational cultures and structures that support innovation
  • LO12. LO12. 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

New unit

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.