Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module provides an introductory overview of current global sustainability issues relevant to students interests, and to innovation and value creation. Its purpose is for students to engage with the current global sustainability environment and to propose contributions to future challenges.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will include:

Developing students’ knowledge, understanding and practical experience of innovation and entrepreneurship within the context of their discipline (e.g. Renewable Energy/Sustainable Resources).

Exploring the entrepreneurial mind-set and identifying practical examples from individual and group experience. Innovation and key research activity at Newcastle University.

Creativity & Innovation; Challenge, Solution and Impact mapping.


Enabling students to consider innovation and intrapreneurship within the wider economic, political and social context to address global challenges. UN Sustainable Development Goals as a stimulus for innovation; identifying the actionable problems.

Understanding the policies which influence the development of sustainability projects at international,
EU, UK and local level. 

Establishing a framework of practice to ensure that assumptions are challenged before moving forward with a new endeavour.

Capacities and capabilities required to deliver on opportunities; reflective practice and self- awareness.

This module sits alongside other technical and skills modules in Science, Agriculture and Engineering to frame and apply disciplinary knowledge and skills to action-based innovation projects. A variety of approaches and case studies are unpacked and critically evaluated to ensure that assumptions have been clearly tested and students better understand the deployment of innovation and entrepreneurial endeavour across new projects through to the corporate setting.

There are follow-on opportunities available through further modules and the University’s Start Up Programme in the Careers Service.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module a successful student will be able to:

Evaluate your competency in relation to the needs of renewable energy and net zero , with examples from individual practice to conclude on opportunities in your discipline area.

Identify a process of innovation to test assumptions, identify opportunities and design solutions.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of what makes a viable proposition for change and innovation.

Demonstrate a critical understanding and appraisal of renewable energy opportunities.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of this module a successful student will be able to:

Analyse and evaluate the entrepreneurial characteristics of individuals and organisations Use insight to make sound judgements for business and innovation.

Critically engage with and analyse options for innovation using case study examples.

Reflect on student development, initiative and resourcefulness in building and developing supportive networks around their entrepreneurial goals.

Awareness and articulation of skills-gaps and how to address them.

Demonstrate the employment of communication and time management skills through assessed work, group work and class discussion.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module brings together independent study and lectures to deliver the theoretical and practical underpinning of key themes of innovation and entrepreneurship (value creation). Independent study includes directed study and undirected study during the module period, drawing and expanding on online taught materials. Materials and lectures are designed to engage students of all backgrounds and facilitate their understanding of the concept in the framework of their own discipline.

Assignments afford an opportunity to bring together relevant knowledge, subject specific knowledge and key skills. There is a particular focus on self-awareness which will require students to study independently and spend time reflecting on the experiences within the module themes.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This module will introduce innovation and the entrepreneurial (value creation) business environment. Assessment draws upon practical issues within a social, economic and political consideration of innovation and business change,. Learning is explicitly developed and evidenced using both formative and summative assessments showing development of knowledge, theory, skills and practice.

All formative work is there to measure the students engagement and understanding and provide ongoing feedback throughout the module. The oral presentation assessment is to measure the students understanding and ability to explain concepts in a concise way.

Students will develop a wide range of key skills within the graduate framework and entrecomp (entrepreneurial competency framework) through online experiential learning methods that contextualise the entrepreneurial mindset - through reflection and review students will draw outcomes and develop an evidence base for the future (100%).

General Notes

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