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Engineering Entrepreneurship (ENGR90026)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Professor Michael Vitale
Email: mvitale@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject is available as an elective in many of the Melbourne School of Engineering's Masters programs. It is aimed both at students who have immediate entrepreneurial intentions and at students who may be considering starting their own business at some point in their careers. The subject is designed to introduce all participants to their potential as entrepreneurs. By developing their own enterprise proposal within small groups, students will learn and demonstrate various processes by which successful new ventures move from idea to launch.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Business modelling, opportunity analysis, value creation, financial management, sources of finance, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurial behaviour, successful engineering entrepreneurs.
TEACHING METHOD
The teaching method is based around a structured process of mini-lectures, class exercises, and active hands-on learning by doing. Intensive field research and minimum viable product development are very important to the subject. Learning is further enhanced through meetings with the lecturer and review by peers.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to be able to:
- Describe, explain, and apply the major concepts and theoretical frameworks that explain entrepreneurial behaviour and success
- Create, identify, validate, and pursue opportunities for new businesses
- Prepare, present, test, and utilise a scalable, repeatable business model to create a new venture
- Identify the sources of finance for new ventures, and be able to sell a business concept to potential funding sources
- Create value for themselves, investors, customers, employees, and society as a whole by working on a business and not just in a business
Generic skills
- Awareness of the fundamentals of business planning and financial management
- Capacity for creativity and innovation
- Ability to use a systems approach to solve complex problems
- Ability to communicate effectively with the engineering team, the commercial team, potential customers, and the community at large
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
100 points of study or equivalent advanced standing within the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
or
Admission to Master of Engineering Management
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Skills in teamwork, report writing, oral presentation, project management and creative problem solving
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written Assignment Proposal for a start-up enterprise (maximum 5000 words) and the presentation of that proposal (15 minutes) in the final class session. Group submission - submitting the draft in Week 9 and the final version in Week 12. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 12 | 35% |
Participation will be measured by mini-lecture attendance and engagement, and by attending scheduled meetings with the lecturer. Students are also required to do a peer review of the contribution of their team members. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Throughout the teaching period | 25% |
Written Assignment Personal plan for the future. Individual submission of up to 2,000 words in total. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 11 | 15% |
Group Presentation "Lessons Learned" video. Group submission. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 3 and 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 12 | 25% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Michael Vitale Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 36 hours (2 x 1.5-hour workshops per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Professor Michael Vitale
Email: mvitale@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Scaling Lean by Ash Maurya (Portfolio/Penguin 2016, ISBN 97811019890521)
Recommended texts and other resources
The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf, 2012, K&S Ranch Inc Publishers, ISBN 978-0-9849993-0-9
Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur, 2010, Wiley, ISBN 978-0470-87641-1
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, Crown Business 2011, ISBN 978-0-307-88789-4Running Lean by Ash Maurya, Orielly Media Second Edition 2012, ISBN 978-1-449-30517-8
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Learning will take place through a series of interactive workshops with the workshop leader as well as outside speakers.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
A reading pack will be made available to enrolled students ahead of the semester. Additional reading material will be available throughout the semester.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Successful engineering entrepreneurs will give guest presentations during the subject. Students successfully completing the subject will be able to use the skills they have gained to take their ideas further, whether in a startup or in an established organisation.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Engineering Management Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Biochemical Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Chemical Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Specialisation (formal) Software Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022