NES3205 : Creativity, Innovation and Market Research in Science and Engineering UG
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Miss Katie Wray
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will adopt a person-centred approach to developing creativity, innovation and market research skills that will forensically examine assumptions around global and industry problems from which to determine actionable opportunities. You will be expected to interact with potential users to collect primary research data to support an opportunity that you identify.
The module is interdisciplinary across Engineering, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Computing and Mathematics, which will allow teams to bring together a diverse skills set through which to explore problems and challenges. Teams of students will undertake detailed market and design analysis to compile a report demonstrating the social/economic viability of a new opportunity.
Group working will be facilitated online using communities and breakout rooms. Present in Person workshops will support the application of your learning.
There are follow-on opportunities available through the University’s Start Up Programme in the Careers Service.
Outline Of Syllabus
Approaches to design thinking, innovation and problem solving
Future trends
The challenge of researching the market
The wise entrepreneur
The design evolution process
The Business Model Canvas
Evaluating opportunities
Intellectual Property
Managing the Finances
The entrepreneurial mind set
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Sample reflective post and portfolio proposal |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Market Opportunity Profile |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 29:00 | 29:00 | Market research activity: talking to users and stakeholders |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Individual self-reflection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | PiP delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Group Meetings |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Synchronous delivery of one-to-one group drop-ins |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module uses a varied range of teaching methods and opportunities for experiential learning. These will include workshop activities alongside guest lectures and case study examples.
A significant focus of the module is on the individual’s ability to self-appraise their own creativity, innovation and market research capabilities with a view to how they may be deployed to solve problems and approach work in the future.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Group Market Opportunity Profile (4000 words plus additional appendices) |
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 60 | Individual skills portfolio (3 items plus a commentary) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | Portfolio proposal |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Formative Assessment: Pass/Fail
Individual students will submit a sample reflective blog post to ensure that they are undertaking the process of self-reflection as learning, and drawing consistent outcomes. Feedback to support the likelihood of success in Assessment 2 will be given. Alongside this, students can select how they would like to be assessed for their portfolio. 3 items must be chosen, but there is complete flexibility and choice as to which items an individual student feels best represents their capabilities in this area.
Assessment 1: Market Opportunity Report (40%)
Drawing upon research work, skills and practice throughout the module, this group assessment will document a rationale for spending more time/money/effort on the development of an opportunity into a formal business plan. Rather than producing a business plan, this is a preliminary document which concludes what has been found, with evidence, which makes for a strong pre-business plan proposal.
Assessment 2: Individual Skills Portfolio (60%)
Student will develop awareness and a wide range of key skills within the graduate attributes framework through experiential learning that contextualises an innovation mind set. Through reflection and review students will draw outcomes and develop an evidence base for the future. This will be captured through 3 items in a portfolio chosen by the individual student. Students will have received approval of their portfolio choices in the formative assessment.
Group assessment will be subject to peer assessment using the University’s tool for peer evaluation of group work contribution.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3205's Timetable