Professional Skills - Entrepreneurial Basics

1.5 EC

Semester 2, period 5

5224PSEB2Y

Owner Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator C.M. Nijnens MSc
Part of Master Earth Sciences, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Oncology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cognitive Neurobiology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Infection and Immunity, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cell Biology and Advanced Microscopy, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Experimental Internal Medicine, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Molecular Neurosciences, Master Physics and Astronomy, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Developmental and Therapeutic Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Medical Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cardiovascular Sciences, year 1Master Biological Sciences,

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This Professional Skills- Entrepreneurial Basics course is offered for students (with or without an initial business idea) who want to learn more about what it takes to start a company.

In four interactive meetings, you will learn about essential aspects of entrepreneurship.

  • In Session 1 an experienced entrepreneur will discuss what Entrepreneurship is all about and all students will start working on a business idea.
  • Session 2 is all about business modeling and problem validation, and working out your business idea into a business model canvas.
  • In Session 3 legal and funding aspects of entrepreneurship will be discussed and you will receive a pitch training.
  • In Session 4 you will pitch your idea and you will get the opportunity to meet a founder and ask questions.

Before the start of the course, your need to write a motivation letter that includes your initial business idea (in case you have an idea). Based on this motivation, students will be grouped and throughout the course, you will (further) develop a startup idea together with fellow students. These ideas will be presented during the last session.

After this course, you will have acquired a better understanding of the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, practiced essential skills and have gained insight in entrepreneurship as a potential career path.

Study materials

Other

  • Selected (on-line) resources available on Canvas page

Objectives

  • Develop a business idea.
  • Apply entrepreneurial tools and knowledge from theory on own business idea.
  • Compose and execute an entrepreneurial pitch about own business idea.
  • Reflect on own entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

Teaching methods

  • Self-study
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Reflection
  • Workgroups

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Workgroups

16

Self study

26

Total

42

(1.5 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

  1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

All sessions are planned on campus (we do not offer hybrid sessions). Participation during the four sessions is mandatory. If you are not able to join one of the sessions, contact the course coordinator to discuss the possibilities of passing the course (missing more than 1 session will always result in a negative assessment (fail) of the course).

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

The course is assessed with pass/fail based on a rubric (see Canvas)

Assignments

There are 4 assignments. Assignment 1 & 2 & 3 are group assignments, assignment 4 (Reflection Report) is individual.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Contact information

Coordinator

  • C.M. Nijnens MSc