Priorities:University of Saint Thomas Student Priorities

Overview

Coming soon: Your Video (Session 5)

Strategy #1: Increase Innovation and Entrepreneurship Classes for Non-Engineering and Entrepreneurship Majors

An Example Syllabus for a General Innovation and Entrepreneurship Course

University of St. Thomas

I&E - 101

Instructor: I&E Professor 

Class Meeting Times: MWF 10:55am - 12:00pm (1/30/2017 through 5/19/2017) 

Class Meeting Location: ASC 202 

Consultation Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-6pm (by appointment only) 

Phone: 952.672.8401 (Communication Response Time: 24 hours) 

Email: I&E@stthomas.edu

Course Description:

This course will empower students to take their innovations and marketing plans to the next level and implement them into a viable and fundable enterprise. Students will create a prototype to be presented as a proof-of- concept with a compelling presentation to an angel investor. In addition students will be introduced to issues related to the patent process and angel investment process as it relates to their innovations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Design a proof-of-concept prototype for the product or service.  

2. Develop value proposition, executive summary and elevator pitch to sell the essence of innovation.  

3. Write a launch strategy that can create brand awareness in the marketplace.  

4. Examine angel-funding sources at early stages, typical formats for angel investments and roles of the  angel investor.  

5. Develop realistic budget, estimate of expenses, timing, margins and manufacturing costs.  

6. Create a compelling presentation that generates interest for an angel investor and proves the worthiness of  business model.  

7. Acquire a basic understanding of the patent process as it relates to filing a patent, intellectual property,  and patent claims.  

8. Develop an organizational binder that demonstrates student’s weekly progress  

9. Students will write a weekly critical analysis on their progress that includes ethnography, research,  ideation and marketing strategy. These weekly results will be a type written presentation presented weekly and represented in an organized binder to the instructor.  

Grading:

A = 90%-100% 

B = 80%-89%

C = 70%-79% 

D = 60%-69% 

F = 59% or Below

In addition to the major project, students final grade will also be based on critique participation and application, work ethic, and attitude. These specifications are applied with the following percentages

10. Quality and effort on proof of concept prototype..............................50.0%  

11. Binder development and critical analysis papers............................. 15.0%  

12. Presentation to investors...................................................................15.0%  

13. 9 case studies.....................................................................................10.0%  

14. Attitude and participation…………………………...……………...10.0%  

Academic Integrity:

In the process of conducting scientific work an attitude of trust and honesty is essential for all participants. In the physics department we have an honor code. We expect you to behave honorably in all aspects of your life. This means that we trust you. For example, you are free to leave the room during a test without asking me. We take our honor code very seriously, so a breach of this trust has severe consequences. Cheating – in any form – is grounds for dismissal from the course with a grade of F. More significantly, cheating would damage the trust I have in you. Don’t jeopardize this trust. Keep in mind that I respect the effort you put into the class, regardless of your grade. When working on homework I expect you to communicate with each other, but all tests are to be conducted entirely on your own.

Over the years, you will probably forget much of what you learn in this class, and the grades you receive will not be as important in the future as they seem to be now. However, the character you forge will be with you forever.

All students are expected understand and follow the University of St. Thomas policies on Academic Integrity. These are described at: http://www.stthomas.edu/policies/student_policy_book/ Academic_rights_and_procedures.asp

Students with Disabilities:

Academic accommodations will be provided for qualified students with documented disabilities including but not limited to mental health diagnoses, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, chronic medical conditions, visual, mobility, and hearing disabilities. Students are invited to contact the Disability Resources office about accommodations early in the semester. Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or in person in Murray Herrick, room 110. For further information, you can locate the Disability Resources office on the web at http://www.stthomas.edu/enhancementprog/. 

Strategy #2: Introduce Start-Up Weekend or Workshop Activities on Camp

Host an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Anderson Student Center for All Students

Host speakers sponsored by engineering groups such as ASME, IEEE, SWE, etc.
Have activities outside of The View at a table such as squishy circuits or quick build activities.
Host a hackathon on South Campus for all students

Host a Start Up Weekend Design Challenge

Create a 72 hour design challenge for students to participate in over the weekend
Open the design challenge to students across all disciplines

Offer Workshops throughout the Semester Related to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Collaborate with an already existing workshop to incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship
Host a two hour workshop during convo hour sponsored by an engineering club

Strategy #3: Increase Department Interaction

Strategy #4: Increase Real World Experiences for Students

Companies with a relationship to St. Thomas host events where students can come and visit their company, experiencing their work environment.
- Students would be interested in this, as when companies come to visit during club meetings, there are huge turn outs
- It would be a no-pressure way to explore that environment, helping students with deciding which way they want to travel after they earn their degree
- This could be beneficial for companies, as the companies could scope out potential employees/interns, especially those that personally reach out to the company at the event.
Mandatory class for semester long internship
- This would be a huge way to get experience in the workfield as a class through the university.
- St. Thomas could make a deal with the company, like if their students get the opportunity to intern part-time for a semester, they don’t have to pay them.
- The students will learn actual physical skills towards their major that is different than just visiting as a group or talking to a representative.
Mandatory job shadowing for class with mandatory questions:
- Students would have to fulfill this to earn their degree, and in doing so, they can experience different places, helping them get a better feel for what they want to do after college.
- If interested in this person, employers have a direct way of talking to the student without having to go through an application process. It would be a nice way for seeking out interns.
- This would be more in depth way of learning about not only the company, but the job market, instead of just chatting with someone from the company for ten minutes.