All programmes > Technology Trends and Opportunities

Technology Trends and Opportunities (B-KUL-D0S17A)

6 ECTSEnglish36 Both termsCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Mödl Michael
OC Handelsingenieur en Handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica FEB Campus Leuven

Aims

Upon completion of this course, the student is able to:

  • recognise of a number of technology trends (background, constituents and potential applications) situated in a variety of fields (ICT, Materials/Chemicals, Micro/nano-electronics, energy,…) and how they might become economically valuable.
  • define and clarify concepts  and models (rationale/assumptions, ingredients, implications) relevant for assessing the development of technology trends (into entrepreneurial opportunities): technology forecasting, technology foresight and scenario development.
  • apply these models and approaches to model future developments of a technology trend (taking into account uncertainties and contingencies).

Previous knowledge

There is no specific preknowledge required for this course. 

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
HMI15A : Technology Trends and Opportunities

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Technology Trends and Opportunities (B-KUL-D0S17a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture36 Both terms
Mödl Michael
OC Handelsingenieur en Handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica FEB Campus Leuven

Content

The lectures aim to let students acquire a profound insight in different models and approaches that aim to assess the future development and diffusion of technology and the translation into market/entrepreneurial opportunities. Both quantitative (forecasting) and qualitative approaches (scenario development) will be introduced and assessed. Specific attention will be paid to the role and modelling of contingencies (e.g. development paths of complementary technologies) and the inclusion of uncertainty/unpredictability.

The course also requires students to participate in a series of workshops and testimonials that highlight and discuss a number of technology trends that might unfold in markets/entrepreneurial opportunities in the foreseeable future. These seminars are given by (entrepreneurial) scientists and industry experts. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in these seminars.

Course material

Used Course Material

  • Articles and literature
  • Syllabus
  • Lecture handouts

All material is made available through Toledo.

Format: more information

  • Lectures introduce theoretical concepts in the assessment of technologies, and allow for hands-on practice of techniques like technology modelling, growth modelling, scenario planning, ecosystem mapping, etc.
  • Testimonial sessions by experts introduce recent technology trends and require the application of the concepts taught in the accompanying lecture.
  • The group assignment (2nd semester) requires to apply the lecture concepts to a chosen technology (and demonstrate this through a report and in a final Q&A session), supported by coaching sessions.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Technology Trends and Opportunities (B-KUL-D2S17a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Multiple choice, Open questions
Learning material : Course material, None

Explanation


FEATURES OF THE EVALUATION

  • The closed book exam at the end of the 1st semester (in the January exam period) assesses the extent to which the student has internalized the insights from the readings and lectures and is able to diagnose the relevancy of different forward-looking approaches (for technological developments); their consequences/limitations and  the implications for enacting entrepreneurial opportunities. The exam contains both open questions (essay questions) and multiple-choice questions (with penalty correction for guessing).
  • The report and the related Q&A session assess the abilities of the students to apply different models and approaches to arrive at an informed ‘prediction’ on the translation of technological opportunities into entrepreneurial opportunities. During the Q&A session each group is invited separately and has to answer questions about their reports. The report and Q&A session are a group assignment, done in teams of +/- 4 students.
    • For the report the requirements and deadline will be determined by the lecturer and communicated via Toledo. The deadline will be situated before the start of the examination period at the end of the second semester.
    • The timing for the final Q&A session will communicated via Toledo and will take place before the start of the examination period at the end of the second semester, typically at the beginning of May.
  • Participation in the lectures is assessed (this may also include the obligation to hand in written summary reports).

DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADES

  • The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and communicated as a number on a scale of 20.
  • The final grade is a weighted score and consists of the following components: 50% on a written closed book exam, 40% on the report and Q&A-session, and 10% on participation in the lectures.
  • If the student does not participate in the written exam, the final grade of the course will be NA (not taken) for the whole course.
  • If the deadline for the report was not respected, the grade for that respective part will be a 0-grade, unless agreed otherwise by the lecturer. Changes in deadlines can only be considered in case of unexpected, severe, circumstances.
  • If the student did not participate in the elaboration of the report, the grade will be NA (not taken) for the whole course..

 

    Information about retaking exams

    SECOND EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITY

    The features of the evaluation and determination of grades differ between the first and the second examination opportunity.

    The student retakes that part of the evaluation (written closed book exam or report) for which (s)he did not pass. The grade obtained at the first exam opportunity for the part the student did pass, will be transferred to the second exam opportunity.

    If students did not pass for the group assignment (and did not pass overall), an individual trajectory for each student in the group will be determined.