UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Lincoln University
Te Whare Wänaka o Aoraki
Graduating Year Review
Details
Current Year
2014
Name of Programme
Graduate Certificate in Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Original Programme Identifier
Name of Self-Review Coordinator
and position held
05-UC/10 GradCertScie/1
Catherine Moran, Dean of Science, University of Canterbury
1. Programme Statement
(a) Description
The Graduate Certificate in Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship was introduced to provide an opportunity for
graduates and scientists working in industry to increase their knowledge and awareness of commerce, from a science
perspective. This qualification seeks to introduce students to the processes involved in translating an idea or a problem
solved in the laboratory (research) to the market place (development).
The overarching goal of the programme is to provide students with exposure to, and an understanding of the elements of,
the entrepreneurship process in scientific ventures and to prepare them for scientific careers in industry, and/or to pursue
the development of a new scientific venture to a marketable product.
Students will:
 have knowledge of entrepreneurship, the entrepreneur, and the entrepreneurship process;
 be able to synthesise and evaluate the requirements for setting up a new venture;
 have completed a research project at an external organisation related to innovation and entrepreneurship;
 have learnt how to convert scientific concepts into products;
 have learnt how to develop and innovate that product and bring it to the market.
Entrants to the programme must have completed an undergraduate degree. Students exit with a Graduate Certificate in
Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship having completed a minimum of four courses, 0.5 EFTS, including an
internship.
One of the unique aspects of the programme was that it was offered jointly through Lincoln University (LU) and
University of Canterbury (UC). Lincoln University students were able to enrol in Canterbury’s two core courses
SCIE301 and SCIE302 and Canterbury students were able to enrol in Lincoln University’s courses Research Essay,
Research Placement and its Venture Out programme course.
(b) Achievement
One student enrolled in and completed the Graduate Certificate in Science Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the
University of Canterbury and another at Lincoln University since it was introduced.
(c) Changes
In 2013 and 2014, one of the core courses, SCIE 302 was cancelled due to low enrolments. In addition the science and
enterprise courses that were taught at LU in 2012 as BIOS330 and BIOS331 and recoded in 2013 as BIOS310 and
BIOS311 were not offered at LU in 2014.
2. Review Processes
E
Account
of Review Processes.
The review panel comprised Catherine Moran (Dean of Science), Professor Bill Davison (Biological Sciences, UC)
Rachel Wright (University Innovators Manager) ( UC), Tracey Robinson (Senior Academic Advisor, UC) and Associate
Professor Jim Morton (Lincoln University)
3. Review Outcomes
E
(a) Acceptability
The GradCert presents with programme goals that are highly relevant to Science at UC. Unfortunately, a Graduate
Certificate was not attractive to students as evidenced by the small numbers. The panel noted that while the individual
courses had learning outcomes that were relevant to UC graduates, those learning outcomes would be better embedded in
courses in an undergraduate degree or as a postgraduate qualification.
(b) Assessment procedures and student performance
Assessment is by way of individual and group written assignments and presentations, including business plans, financial
plans and grant applications. Assessment is completed in accordance with the assessment policy of each university. The
students performed at a high standard in the UC courses (SCIE 301 and SCIE 302) and in the LU courses.
(c) Data
Table 1: Numbers enrolling and completing
Year
Projected No.
Enrolling
Actual No. Enrolled
2011
5-10
2012
2013
Full-time
No.
Completed
Part-time
EFTS
1(UC)
1
0.25
0
5-10
1 (LU)
1
0.375
0
5-10
1 (LU)
1
0.375
2
Withdrawals
0
(d) Programme Evaluation
While the qualification title, programme aims, learning outcomes, delivery methods and coherence were adequate student
enrolment numbers were very low. The evidence is that although there is an interest in innovation courses that the
Graduate Certificate was not the right vehicle. It is recommended that the Graduate Certificate in Science Innovation and
Enterprise be discontinued. The low numbers in the LU innovation courses limited learning opportunities and it is also
recommend that LU not offer the innovation courses and provide course advice to students to attend those at UC if they
continue to be offered. It is further recommended that it is important that science students are exposed to the culture of
Entrepreneurship and Innovation particularly in light of initiatives such as the Lincoln Hub and the new UC Graduate
Profile. Therefore both institutions should consider how best to integrate this material within either undergraduate or
postgraduate qualifications.
(e) Continuation or Discontinuation
It is recommended that the Graduate Certificate in Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship be discontinued.
The Academic Administration Committee considered this review. It agreed with the recommendation by the review panel.
A proposal to discontinue the qualification will be submitted to CUAP in Round 1 2015.