Entry requirements

130 credits, whereof at least 10 credits at Master's level.

Learning outcomes

The overall objective of the course is that the student should get a good understanding of the principles behind R&D and Innovation management in, especially, large established companies, but also in small start-up entrepreneurial companies. The focus is on companies active within biotech and natural resource management.

After passing the course the student should be able to

• describe the different steps in a business development process,
• describe the requirements and responsibilities put on management, board members and share holders in different development situations,
• briefly analyse a market situation,
• define the needs for resources as well as obstacles in the early stages of the development of a business,
• independently formulate a business plan based on a business idea in technology,
• plan and implement a development project in a team,
• describe the fundamentals of intellectual property rights and legislation, particularly in companies active within biotech or natural resource management.

Content

The course covers the various steps in a business development process based on technological (innovative) ideas or new, internal or external, research results. The course discusses the challenges put on management and founders in a research-intensive company. In addition, obstacles and opportunities in bringing a new product to the market are discussed and analysed. The course has a focus on R&D and innovation processes in an established, larger company, but also the development problems of an entrepreneurial start-up enterprise are covered. Besides theoretical knowledge of innovation processes, methods for practical project management are identified and described.

The course is conducted in close cooperation with experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business developers who share their experiences from business development in practice.

The course includes the following elements:

• Business concept, business plan, business development
• Early market development
• Financing R&D and new venture development in different business contexts
• Requirement for management in different situations in business
• Reward systems in knowledge-intensive companies
• Strategic alliances
• Intellectual property rights (IPR) and its role in research-based development projects
• R&D and innovation management in companies active within biotechnology and natural resource management

Instruction

Lectures. Seminars. Project work and prepared case studies. An important feature is guest lectures by representatives from companies/organisations active within biotech and natural resource management.

Assessment

The course examination consists of a written exam (7 credits) and written presentations of the project (3 credits).