Minor in Innovation

With technology disrupting entire industries, students today must develop their problem-solving, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills in order to compete in the economy. The DeGroote School of Business has partnered with the Faculty of Engineering to offer students from all faculties the opportunity to pursue a Minor in Innovation.

Students who complete the Minor will learn more about innovation, and develop their own levels of innovation literacy. This is a valuable option for students interested in creating change within organizations, or who wish to create their own enterprise.

 

Program Requirements

Students will have to complete 24 units (8 courses) to satisfy requirements for a Minor in Innovation. This includes:

• 6 units from INNOVATE 1X03 and INNOVATE 2X03
• 6-9 units from INNOVATE 2Z03, INNOVATE 3X03, and INNOVATE 3Z03
• 9-12 units from eligible electives

 

Courses

INNOVATE 1X03 – The World of Entrepreneurship

Fundamentals of entrepreneurship via a series of guest lectures by prominent entrepreneurs. Case studies will be used to analyse strategies and methods for growing a scalable business.

One lecture (two hours), one tutorial (one hour); offered in both terms. 3 units.

 

INNOVATE 2X03 – Lean Startup

Introduction to lean methodologies of building a successful start-up business, including market validation, analysing market potential for start-up ideas, establishing a business model and “failing fast”. Students will learn how to test business ideas and hypotheses with customers and stakeholders.

One lecture (three hours); one term. 3 units.

 

INNOVATE 2Z03 – Sprint Methodologies

Rapid prototyping, testing and iteration of ideas with customers using design sprint methodologies. Students will also learn about agile development and pathways from idea to market.

One lecture (three hours); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of any program.

 

INNOVATE 3X03 – Persuasion, Pitching Skills and Marketing

In both individual and group settings, students will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of how to persuasively market and sell their ideas, their vision and their products to target audiences.

One lecture (three hours); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of any program.

 

INNOVATE 3Z03 – From Founder to CEO

Students will learn how a start-up Founder transitions into becoming a CEO to properly manage and grow the company, effectively manage Human Resources and work with a Board of Directors.

One lecture (two hours); one tutorial (one hour); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of any program.

 

Elective Courses

COMMERCE 3MA3 – Marketing Research

This course covers the effective obtaining, communicating and using of competitive and market intelligence. Students work in groups with a company or public organization and receive training and experience in making business presentations.

Lectures (three hours), tutorial (one hour). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 1MA3 (or 2MA3) or IBH 2AA3; COMMERCE 1DA3 (or 2QA3) or IBH 2AD3; or COMMERCE 1MA3 (or 2MA3) or IBH 2AA3 and one of STATS 2MB3, 3J04, 3N03 or STATS 3Y03; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 3MC3 – Applied Marketing Management

Builds upon material in COMMERCE 1MA3 (or 2MA3) but is more applied in nature and covers the marketing mix in greater depth. It relies more on practical, real world cases. A major field project (for example, student teams working with companies) is a critical part of the course.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 1MA3 (or 2MA3); and registration in Level III or above in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): IBH 3AB3.

 

COMMERCE 3MD3 – Introduction to Contemporary Applied Marketing

This course will introduce students to key marketing principles and concepts and explore their practical applications in business situations. Case studies are used to give practice in analyzing opportunities, solving marketing issues, and preparing implementation plans. This course is taught through a combination of lectures, case discussions, readings, assignments and a field project.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above.

Antirequisite(s): COMMERCE 1MA3;(or 2MA3), 3MC3, IBH 2AA3. Not open to students registered in any Commerce, or Engineering & Management program.

 

COMMERCE 3S03 – Management Skills Development

The purpose of this course is to provide the necessary cognitive and behavioural skills that students need to develop themselves as competent managers through the acquisition and practice of personal, interpersonal, and group skills.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2BC3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): IBH 3AA3.

 

COMMERCE 4AK3 – Accounting Information for Decision Making

This course covers the basic principles in financial and managerial accounting as well as the use of accounting information in decision making. In the financial accounting part of the course, the course covers the conceptual framework of accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, financial statements, and financial statement analysis. In the managerial accounting part of the course, the course covers cost behaviour, cost-volume profit relationships, budgeting, and the use of cost information in decision making.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Antirequisite(s): COMMERCE 1AA3, 2AB3, IBH 1AA3, 2BA3.

Not open to students registered in any Commerce, or Engineering and Management program.

 

COMMERCE 4BB3 – Recruitment and Selection

This course exposes students to staffing issues in the Canadian context. Topics include job analysis, methods of recruitment and selection, human rights legislation and decision making strategies.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2BC3 or IBH 2AC3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce Labour Studies, or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4BK3 – The Management of Technology

An introduction to the innovative management of technology including the integration of the firm and technology strategy, external sourcing of technology and the internationalization of technology management.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 1BA3 or IBH 1BA3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4BN3 – Leadership Development

This highly participative learning portfolio-based course on Leadership focuses on the potential for personal and professional growth of the student. The course provides an initial understanding of the fundamentals and theories of leadership, and then moves to an appreciation of students’ own leadership styles, behaviors, and experiences as well as an understanding of other individuals’ leadership styles, behaviors, and experiences. A major objective of the course is to encourage the student to become more reflective and self-aware.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 3S03; and registration in Level IV or above in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): IBH 4BA3.

 

COMMERCE 4FO3 – Small Business and Entrepreneurial Finance

This course is intended for students who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in those areas of business that lead to successful entrepreneurship and/or small business management. The focus will be on those financial issues and decisions of particular concern to sole proprietors, partnerships, family-owned businesses and small non-public corporations.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2FA3  or ECON 2I03 or IBH 2BB3 ; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4FV3 – Venture Capital

This course focuses on financing and value creation strategies for early- and growth-stage companies. It is designed for students considering careers in financial services or as entrepreneurs.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2FB3 (or 3FA3) or IBH 3AC3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4FW3 – Finance for Entrepreneurs

This course is intended for students who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in those areas of business that lead to successful entrepreneurship and/or small business management. The focus will be on those financial issues and decisions of particular concern to sole proprietors, partnerships, family-owned businesses and small non-public corporations. This will include the financial aspects of the relationship between the firm and its owners.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Students in a third or fourth year non-Commerce program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): COMMERCE 4FO3.

Not open to students registered in any Commerce, or Engineering & Management program; or the Minor in Finance or Innovation.

 

COMMERCE 4KF3 – Project Management

Topics include: project selection, project organization structures, life cycles, planning, estimation, budgeting, resource allocation, contracting, project management software, reporting and controlling issues and conflict management.

Lectures and online (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in level II or above in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): COMMERCE 4QF3.

 

COMMERCE 4KH3 – Strategies for Electronic and Mobile Business

This course covers the strategic issues that the modern business manager must deal with in making strategic decisions concerning the choice, implementation and execution of electronic and mobile business solutions for start-ups and established enterprises.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2KA3 or IBH 2AB3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4KI3 – Business Process Management

This course enables students to learn about the methodologies used in business process management and related information technologies in support of process innovation. These techniques are learned through hands-on practice with SAP Business One (B1) software and simulation targeted to small and medium sized enterprises.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2KA3 or IBH 2AB3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor or permission of the instructor.

 

COMMERCE 4MC3 – New Product Marketing

This course covers the management of new products from the idea stage through to product launch with a strong practical orientation. A field project is a major component of the course.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 3MC3 or IBH 3AB3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4ME3 – Sales Management

Cases, presentations, field work, library research, role playing and group exercises help to understand customers, the selling process, sales presentations, negotiation, legal and ethical responsibilities, self and team management.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 1MA3 (or 2MA3) or IBH 2AA3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

Antirequisite(s): Not open to students with credit or registration in COMMERCE 4MX3, if the topic was Sales Management.

 

COMMERCE 4PA3 – Business Policy: Strategic Management

As the capstone to the program, this case course is designed to unify the student’s learning experience by exploring the formulation and implementation of corporate strategy.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 3MC3 or IBH 3AB3; and registration in Level IV of any Bachelor of Commerce or Level V Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4SA3 – International Business

The key features of, and trends in, the global business environment. The implications of cultural and political differences. Comparative operational practices and multinational management.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 3MC3 or IBH 3AB3; and registration in Level IV of any Bachelor of Commerce or Level V of any Engineering and Management program or with instructor permission or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4SD3 – Commercial Law

This course emphasizes those areas of law which are most relevant to business activity. Particular attention is given to the law relating to contracts and business organizations. Other areas of study include: sources of law, the judicial process, real and personal property, torts, agency, credit and negotiable instruments.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above and in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or Level IV of the Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law Program or relevant minor.

 

COMMERCE 4SE3 – Entrepreneurship

The problems and experiences encountered in starting and developing new enterprises will be studied. A cornerstone of the course is the development of a detailed business plan for a local entrepreneur.

Lectures (three hours). 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): COMMERCE 2FB3 (or 3FA3) or IBH 3AC3; and COMMERCE 3MA3, COMMERCE 3MC3, or IBH 3AB3; and registration in any Bachelor of Commerce or Engineering and Management program or relevant minor.

 

COMPSCI 4EN3 – Software Entrepreneurship

Issues in starting up a new software enterprise, with the focus on independent startups. This course will cover the technical, financial, legal and operational issues encountered by software startups. Small groups of students will take an idea and turn it into a prototype, a business plan, and a sales pitch. Lectures will cover issues from team formation to appropriate software development processes to patent protection to venture capital.

Offered on an irregular basis. Three lectures; one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or IV of any Computer Science program.

 

ENGNMGT 4A03 – Innovation Driven Project Development and Management

What is innovation and how is it managed? Team-based creativity skills will be developed with a focus on delivering innovation. Participants develop teamwork skills while using project management tools to develop a project.

One lecture (three hours); first term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): One of CHEMENG 2G03 or ENGNMGT 2AA2 or ENGNMGT 2AA3; and registration in the Engineering & Management program.

 

ENGSOCTY 4Y03 – Society Capstone Design

In multi-disciplinary teams, students will complete a capstone design project that incorporates holistic design, social sustainability, community resilience and aesthetic elements.

Two lectures; design studio (one hour); first term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level V of the Engineering & Society Program.

 

HISTORY 3UA3 – The History of the Future

This course examines how technology has historically shaped social ideas about the future and how these social ideas about the future shaped subsequent technology.

Lectures and discussion (three hours); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above.

 

HTHSCI 3PP3 – Health Ventures

In this case-based course, students will develop skills for defining problems, designing solutions, and activating opportunities for entrepreneurship and health innovation.

Three hours and online modules; one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above of any program.

Antirequisite(s): IBEHS 3EE6 A/B.

 

HTHSCI 4ID3 – Innovation By Design I

This course will enable interdisciplinary student groups to engage in design thinking as a methodology to assess health-related challenges, collect meaningful data, iterate alternative design options, and build a prototype solution for testing with user groups. Students will learn conceptual and applied approaches to design thinking and develop capabilities for building innovative teams, having empathy with others and creative problem-solving.

3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level IV or above.

Antirequisite(s): IBEHS 2E06.

 

HTHSCI 4IS3 – Frameshift Innovation Labs

In this course, students will have the opportunity to apply entrepreneurship skills to real-world health and clinical contexts in an interdisciplinary team.

Three hours, plus online modules; one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): HTHSCI 3PP3, or INSPIRE 3EL3 – Health Ventures, or permission of the instructor.

 

HTHSCI 4LA3 – Innovation By Design II

This course introduces students to strategic foresight and experiential futures in health leadership and innovation. Building on the design thinking methods and tools from Innovation by Design I, students will work in interdisciplinary teams to address a health-related challenge. Students will learn about identifying weak signals, scenario development, and storytelling as part of developing plausible health futures.

3 units.

Prerequisite(s): HTHSCI 4ID3 (or equivalent by permission of instructor).

 

HTHSCI 4PA3 – Global Health Innovation

Students will examine considerations, questions and challenges that govern the genesis, development and adoption of health innovation in low and middle income countries. There is an opportunity for students to build on their biomedical knowledge by applying interdisciplinary perspectives to a complex healthcare topic.

Three hours; one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Program, or Level III or above in the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Specialization; or registration in Level III or above of the Honours Integrated Science Program, Arts & Science; or registration in Level III or above in any Honours program and permission of the instructor.

 

HTHSCI 4SA3

 

INNOVATE 1Z03 – Artificial Intelligence – Innovative Technologies

Students will cover the history, goals, social impact and philosophical implications of artificial intelligence via a series of guest lectures by prominent researchers, entrepreneurs and theorists in this area. Speakers will highlight the numerous applications and huge possibilities in the field of AI.

One lecture (three hours), one term. 3 units.

 

INNOVATE 2SI3 – Social Innovations

This interdisciplinary course will explore how startups and corporations generate positive social impact while remaining economically viable. Topics include social entrepreneurship, social finance, impact investing, corporate social innovation, and social enterprises.

One lecture (three hours); one term. 3 units.

 

INNOVATE 3EX3 – Experiential Learning in Innovation

This course will provide students an opportunity to gain direct experience working at an existing start-up company. Course credit will be evaluated based on the maintenance of a comprehensive learning portfolio.

One lecture (two hours); one tutorial (one hour); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): INNOVATE 1X03, 2X03, 2Z03, and permission of the instructor.

 

INNOVATE 3ZZ3 – Imagining and Navigating the Future

This ambitious interdisciplinary course provides a platform for students to develop the strategic foresight, planning and leadership skills needed to imagine and shape the future. Students will analyse the systems, trends and uncertainties driving the future of such business and social domains as workplaces, healthcare systems, climate change, and financial markets. Students will also develop the skills needed to mobilize people and resources towards desired outcomes. In addition to team experiential learning projects, students will explore future directions on issues of personal interest.

One lecture (three hours); one term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in a four or five year program.

 

INNOVATE 4EX6 A/B – Founders Startup

Working with The Forge, McMaster’s startup accelerator, students will form teams to develop a new startup venture. Through the application of lean startup and design sprint methodologies, students will rapidly test and iterate product-market fit with customers and refine their business models. Admission to the course will be based on a written application (one application per team) and a successful panel interview.

One lecture (two hours); one tutorial (one hour); one term. 6 units.

Prerequisite(s): INNOVATE 1X03, 2X03, 2Z03; and permission of the instructor.

 

SUSTAIN 3S03 – Implementing Sustainable Change

Exploring agency, leadership, and strategy effectiveness within the context of sustainability. The course will include interdisciplinary perspectives, experiential learning and community engagement projects.

One lecture (three hours), one tutorial (one hour); first term. 3 units.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above or permission of the Academic Sustainability Programs Office.

Antirequisite(s): SUSTAIN 3A03.