The objective of the course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to identify and pursue business opportunities based on technological discovery. During lectures and workshops, students will be introduced to productisation; commercialisation strategy; market research and benchmarking; government, private equity and public market funding options; due diligence; business principles; human resources; budgeting; valuation; and financial accounting.

The accounting component of the course will involve prescribed textbook readings and the weekly completion and submission of assessable homework exercises. The major assignment, which will be facilitated during class, will involve the small team preparation and pitching of start-up business plans for the commercialisation of technology based opportunities. Students will be able to join teams working on plans relating to their developing professional background. They will also be encouraged to source potential opportunities relating to their own research and prospective career interests.

The business planning process will bring together all components of the course content with students developing an understanding of how science, technology and business are integrated and interdependent in industry and they will gain insight into the need for all professions (including scientists!) within a technology-based company to understand business imperatives and metrics if the company is to be a success.

Note: Up to Session 1 2010 this course was offered as BIOT3091. From Session 2 2010 it has been changed to course code BABS3091.