Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module BUSI5C715: New Venture Creation

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI5C715: New Venture Creation

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap
Tied to N1K607
Tied to N1K807
Tied to N1K307

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with advanced understanding of key issues associated with starting and growing an entrepreneurial firm.

Content

  • Entrepreneurial process and new venture creation
  • Opportunity recognition and development
  • Environments for entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial strategies
  • Business plan and resource requirements
  • Creating the organisation - role of the entrepreneur and team formation
  • Obtaining venture and growth capital
  • Managing rapid growth
  • Corporate venturing, university spin-offs and social entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an advanced understanding of the concepts associated with recognising and developing entrepreneurial opportunities;
  • Have a critical appreciation of the theories about entrepreneurial strategies, management team formation and managing rapid growth;
  • Have an advanced understanding of the role and impact of investors in entrepreneurial firms;
  • Have a critical appreciation of the differences between various entrepreneurial contexts such as corporate venturing, university spin-offs and social entrepreneurship.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to write a sound business plan, and to critically evaluate business plans.
Key Skills:
    Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, guided reading, individual exercises and consultations, and group discussion of case studies.
  • The assessment of the module, by written assignment, is designed to test: the acquisition and articulation of knowledge; conceptual understanding and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures/workshops 9 2 hours 18
Seminars 4 1 hour 4
Preparation & Reading 128
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment including a business plan 3,000 words (Max.). 100%

Formative Assessment:

Group project and group presentation


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University