Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Study Group Presentation 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Written essay 2000 Words | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours Written Exam | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written essay 2000 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Study Group Presentation 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours Written Exam | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Compile high-level management skills necessary to identify, protect and manage patentable ideas.
Acquire and synthesise knowledge and expertise in the significance of commercial differentiation via product innovation.
Brief description
This module intends to equip engineers and scientists with an understanding of what product innovation means, how to protect it and how innovation can make an impact if correctly managed and exploited. The knowledge gained will be used in the integration of the various areas of expertise acquired in other parts of the MSc scheme through the use of multi-disciplinary case studies and assignments.
Aims
The aim of this module is to equip engineers and scientists with an understanding of what product innovation means, how to protect it and how innovation can make an impact if correctly managed and exploited. The knowledge gained will be used in the integration of the various areas of expertise acquired in other parts of the MSc scheme through the use of multi-disciplinary case studies and assignments.
Content
• Importance of research and development in competitive technology sectors.
• innovations models: phase gate model, open vs closed, individual vs organisational, technology push vs market pull, user innovation, evolutionary innovation, disruptive innovation.
• Example of problem solving leading to breakthroughs
• Intellectual property and know how- how do the different types of IP protection
• What can be patented- key elements for a patent- novelty, inventive step and technical affect
• History of patents- early examples
• How to manage ideas before patenting
• How to undertake searches (using EPO website)
• Key points in drafting patents with or without agents.
• How much protection do patents provide – process or product.
• Detailed analysis of particular patent filings
• Licensing or commercialising patents
• Patent case studies
• Commercial barriers and differentiation -patents, contracts, approvals, team.
Detailed Commercial Case studies:
• Microsoft key Differentiator
• Apple
• Renishaw
• JDS and telecom innovations
• Kodak
• IBM
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Students will be able to understand the importance of effective team building in the effective delivery of projects. They will develop the skill of understanding the strengths of the team and use these skills to deliver success. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Identify problems. Identify factors which might influence potential solutions. Develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving. Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions. Construct a rational proposal in response to problems. |
| Professional communication | Develop communications skills including discussion and listening skills. Improve lteracy skills by reading and writing reports and essays. |
| Reflection | Students will develop an ability to analyse their work at a distance so as to ensure that its makes sense and remains aligned to key outputs and outcomes. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will be aware of the importance of innovation and its management and the key role it plays in enabling investment and commercial differentiation. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7