MMB8038 : Bioscience Research Development and Enterprise
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Philip Manning
- Lecturer: Dr Nichola Conlon, Professor Jenny Read, Dr Alison Bray, Dr Matthew Wilcox, Mrs Gretel Dixon, Dr Joanne Patterson, Dr Jana Suklan, Professor Gavin Richardson, Mr Colin Tristram, Professor Nicholas Jakubovics, Dr Peter Chater
- Other Staff: Mrs Jenny Brady
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to introduce research students to the many considerations that need to be made when commercialising research findings. Students will use real life case studies as the basis to investigate how research can be turned into a business. External expertise will offer students an insight into business development beyond the initial stages.
Outline Of Syllabus
• The life cycle of a business and planning an exit strategy
• Case Studies of commercialisation of research
• Intellectual property rights
• Business planning, accounting and finance
• Marketing
• Industry standards
• Considerations for expansion
• Project management
• Team working
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Present in person (PIP): Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 167:00 | 167:00 | Independent and group research |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Lecture: project management |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Present in person (PIP): Lecture: investment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Present in person (PIP): Lecture: care pathways |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): business plan session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): business life cycle |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 12 | 0:30 | 6:00 | Present in person (PIP): Q&A discussion |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Present in person (PIP): oral presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present in person (PIP): Introduction |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Present in person (PIP): case study selection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Present in person (PIP): team working communication |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Genuine case studies will provide a model for investigation, broader information on the considerations for the commercialisation of research will provide information for students to critically appraise these case studies. The interactive seminars (workshops) will encourage the students to reflect, both individually and in small groups on the case studies presented. Students will then be able to consider what has been successful and what could have been changed in the case studies. This real world development of research ideas into commercial outcomes will present students with a situation through which they can get a genuine feel for how research ideas are taken forward into business. The external expertise will highlight the considerations that researchers should make about how to deal with research findings to make a future for the business. Students will need to work in groups and their ability to do this effectively will be assessed through their reviews of each other’s work, this will encourage co-operation and the development of leadership.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 1 | M | 20 | Review of a Case Study and Initial Proposal (500 words) |
| Report | 1 | M | 25 | Review of peer’s initial report (700 words) |
| Case study | 1 | M | 30 | Revised and complete Report describing Case Study position (2000 words incl 400 word executive summary) prepared in groups of 2 or 3 |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 25 | Present in Person Oral Presentation of Optimisation or Diversification Proposal (15 mins presentation working as a group of 3 or 4) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
This module is intended primarily to enable students to develop an understanding of the opportunities within the bioscience sector including the biopharma and biotechnology industry. These are practical skills and will be assessed by presentation of a review of a current spin-out business that will include proposals for how a company could be taken forward. The review and proposal will be presented in front of an expert panel from University and Business which will be followed by a question and answer session.
Students will make a report and initial proposal individually; these reviews will be based on only the Case Study information. Students will then be provided with more information about the set-up , structure financing, business life cycle and expansion. With this information students will review each other’s initial reports. We aim to prepare students for a typical working environment where team work and diplomacy are as important as knowledge.
Small groups of students (typically 3-4 students per group) will be encouraged to draw together the information in their reviews and proposals to create a final report including an executive summary. Students will be able to collect the views of experts on their report and submit a final piece of work that is of a very high standard. Dealing with critical reviewing and creating of a positive but realistic review of a current business along with a inventive but thoroughly considered proposal for that business will give the students a solid understanding of how research can relate to the business world.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8038's Timetable