Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (BUST08023)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course is NOT available to students who are studying Business as part of their degree programme. This course introduces you to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. It focuses specifically on how and why some innovations are successfully commercialized, with particular emphasis on the role of the innovator-entrepreneur, with specific reference to science-driven innovation relevant to your programmes of study. |
| Course description |
Entrepreneurship has become one of the most powerful and influential forces of change in the world. Technological innovation driven by scientific research has led to radical social and economic changes. Companies like Apple, Facebook, Genentech, and Cisco, all derive their success in part due to the innovative application of novel technology. But advanced technology alone is not sufficient to guarantee either user adoption or commercial success. Many ideas and technologies are abandoned or ignored despite presenting apparently significant advantages over incumbent systems.
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. It focuses specifically on how and why some innovations are successfully commercialized, with particular emphasis on the role of the innovator-entrepreneur, with specific reference to science-driven innovation relevant to students programmes of study.
This course teaches some of the generic and transferable skills required to become an entrepreneur, and raises the student's awareness of the legal, business, managerial, creative, analytical and interpersonal skills relevant to setting up and running an innovative organization.
Because of the online course format, the course lectures are available online at any time. Students are strongly encouraged to watch the course presentations on the weekly course schedule. Students who fall behind the lectures or any other course content may find it difficult to get caught up again.
The course covers ten (10) topics associated with entrepreneurship:
1. Entrepreneurial motivation
2. Entrepreneurial characteristics
3. Contexts of entrepreneurial activity
4. Opportunity recognition
5. Opportunity assessment
6. Acquiring resources
7. Business models
8. Entrepreneurial activities
9. Leadership and social entrepreneurship
10. Exits and outcomes
A fundamental outcome of entrepreneurship is the creation of new value, usually through the creation of new products and services which may lead to the creation of a new business entity. The objective of this course is to demonstrate and understand that exploiting a new opportunity is a process that can be planned, resourced, and managed. To start a successful business, an entrepreneur must exercise motivation as well as enterprising and managerial skills. He or she requires access to resources to grow the business; not just investment but social resources as well. Overall success is not just related to the nature of market opportunities but to the entrepreneurial and managerial motivations and skills of the entrepreneur.
Student Learning Experience
The course centres on three objectives:
1. Facilitating student identification and exploration of entrepreneurial opportunities,
2. Supporting student development of knowledge and skill related to success in entrepreneurial activity
3. Encouraging student self-evaluation with regard to entrepreneurial interest, intent, and capabilities.
This course utilizes multiple learning modes, including: independent reading, primary research, lecture, group discussion, case studies, and exposure to practice. Students who participate in and engage with every mode are most likely to gain the most learning from the course. Preparation for every lecture session is essential, as students are expected to be active participants in their own and others learning experience.
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Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and discuss entrepreneurial contexts.
- Identify and discuss entrepreneurial characteristics, and reflect on their own interest in entrepreneurial activity.
- Identify and critically evaluate an opportunity, research basic aspects of the opportunity and market, and present a simple plan for its exploitation.
- Prepare a written opportunity assessment.
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Reading List
Essential books are available electronically -
- Bessant, J.R. and Tidd, J (2015) Innovation and entrepreneurship. Wiley. [electronic resource]
- George, G. and Bock AJ. (2008) Inventing entrepreneurs : technology innovators and their entrepreneurial journey [part of the chapters available electronically]
- Mullins, J (2010) The new business road test: what entrepreneurs and executives should do before launching a lean start-up. [electronic resource]
- Ries, E. (2011) The Lean Startup : how constant innovation creates radically successful businesses Portfolio. Penguin [part of the chapters available electronically]
Other readings are specified on Resource List.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Cognitive Skills:
Students participating in the course should improve:
- Scholarship and desk research skills;
- Assimilation, communication and presentation of critical evaluations of relevant sources of information; and
- The application of entrepreneurial concepts to real world organizations and opportunities.
Subject Specific Skills:
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Reflect upon frameworks and concepts underpinning entrepreneurship;
- Understand the relationship between entrepreneurship and value creation and the unique role of the entrepreneurial manager in driving innovation and growth;
- Work both independently and in a team-based environment to assess an opportunity and propose ways it could be exploited
- Employ a theoretical framework in analyzing a new business venture opportunity
- Cooperate in team environments
Although not required or assessed, students will have the opportunity to:
- Build interpersonal skills in networking and negotiations
- Develop their professional writing and communication skills
- Develop team-based leadership skills
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| Special Arrangements |
This course is NOT available to students who are studying Business as part of their degree programme.
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
The course is delivered as the online format. There are no physical lectures. The course lectures are available online at any time. Students are strongly encouraged to watch the course presentations on the weekly course schedule. Students will engage in a face-to-face group project. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Fumi Kitagawa
Tel: (0131 6)50 8068
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Anne Cunningham
Tel: (0131 6)50 3827
Email: |
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