This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module NSCI3001: Science Enterprise

Department: Natural Sciences

NSCI3001: Science Enterprise

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	20	Available in 2025/2026	None.	Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

Satisfactory completion of Level 2 course in Natural Sciences

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

Biological Enterprise (BIOL3441)

Aims

To introduce students to: the key process of business start-up, specifically within the context of the science sector; the key factors and considerations that influence the decision making process of commercialisation of science innovation; the necessary skills, knowledge and resources required to take science innovation from concept through to credible commercial propositions; the purpose of a Business Plan and, using a self-generated idea, how to prepare and present a Plan.
To develop students’ enterprising and group working skills and behaviours.

Content

Overview of the science sector.
Generating and evaluating business ideas using SWOT analysis etc.
Testing ideas against the market eg primary and secondary research, competitor analysis etc.
Business Plan form and function and resource planning.
Financial management and planning.
Legal aspects , including Intellectual Property, regulatory and ethical issues.
Selling to the market.
Raising finance eg Venture Capitalists, Business Angels etc.
Presenting clear and commercially viable business concept and scientific basis of the product in Business Plan and oral formats.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Ability to discuss in depth a chosen science process particularly with regard to its potential application in a commercial context.
Demonstrate how to plan for the launch of a new business venture, particularly with regard to the science sector.
Describe the key challenges and issues associated with commercialisation of a science innovation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the responses and strategies used to overcome these challenges and address issues, risks etc.
Demonstrate development of their enterprising skills, behaviours and attitudes.

Subject-specific Skills

Describe and summarise information from self-study and guided research on a self-selected science topic.
Describe and summarise information from lectures, textbooks and other sources on key areas of business planning.
Describe the process and resources required in business planning, particularly start-ups in the science sector.

Key Skills

Interpretation and understanding of information from relevant sources (lectures, textbooks, online sources).
Interpretation and evaluation of data.
Strategic thinking and planning of time, resources etc.
Group working, negotiation and consensus building.
Presentation of scientific and business ideas to academic and non-academic audiences in oral and written formats.

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

Student acquisition of knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, tutorials, data handling, self-study, mentor support, and group work.
Lectures provide the theoretical underpinning principles for the module.
Group presentations to develop oral presentation skills.
Student performance will be assessed by a Business Plan (Report), Science Case (Essay), Peer Review on Group Work, and Oral Presentation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	1	Once	2 hours	2	Yes
Workshops	16	Weekly	4 hours p/w	64	Yes
Presentations	2	Once	1 hour	2	Yes
Preparation and Reading				132
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Element Weighting
Continuous Assessment	100%	Report	35%
		Review	5%
		Presentation	10%
		Essay	50%

Formative Assessment

Three formative presentations

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.