Introduction


Selected graduate courses offered by the School of Management at UTD incorporate student projects as part of the course requirements. Many of these courses provide opportunities for students to work with area companies on projects that are designed to directly benefit those companies while providing students the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working directly on “real” problems with companies engaged in entrepreneurial endeavors. These projects typically take one of two forms:

  • Student Projects within Courses - a number of graduate courses in Innovation and Entrepreneurship require students (typically working in groups of 3-5) to complete various projects related to the course content. Projects are frequently structured to meet the dual objectives of fulfilling course requirements and supporting constituent organizations. Project objectives will be negotiated between the students and the company. Students will require reasonable access to company personnel during the project. Course-related projects must be structured to conform to the academic calendar (late August through late November or mid-January through late April). Student work will be performed for course credit without compensation from the company.

  • Student Consulting Teams under Faculty Supervision - A new course (ENTP 6398 - the Entrepreneurial Experience) has been structured to permit student teams of 3-5 students, working under the general supervision of a faculty member, to conduct market studies or feasibility assessments or to assist constituent companies in the development of complete business plans in fulfillment of course requirements. Project objectives will be negotiated between the students and the company. Students will require reasonable access to company personnel during the project. Course-related projects must be structured to conform to the academic calendar (late August through late November or mid-January through late April). Student work will be performed for course credit without compensation from the company.

The determination of the most appropriate framework for the support of a constituent company will be determined in discussions between the company and the responsible faculty member, subject to the constraints of the governing University guidelines.


Process

  1. All inquiries or requests for University support for projects falling within the domain of Innovation & Entrepreneurship should be made in writing and addressed or forwarded to the faculty member responsible for the course (see below) with a copy to the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UTD (jpicken@utdallas.edu). Requests should include, at a minimum, the following information:

    1. Name of the company
    2. Principal contact and full contact information
    3. Description of the innovation or entrepreneurial opportunity
    4. Objectives
    5. Nature of project support required (proposed course)
    6. Proposed time frame for support effort
    7. IP Considerations (non-disclosure requirements)

  2. Requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the semester in which the course will be offered, and provide sufficient information to permit the faculty member responsible for the course to review the opportunity and discuss the parameters of the proposed support requirements with the company.  Constituents are encouraged to provide as much information as possible at this point in the process. The responsible faculty member will review the proposed opportunities, discuss them with the constituent companies, and advise them of his or her decision no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

 

Course Descriptions and Project Opportunities

ENTP 6370 Entrepreneurship (Fall, Spring, Summer)

This course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on identifying, evaluating and developing new venture opportunities. Topics include opportunity identification and evaluation, startup strategies, business valuation, business plan development, attracting stakeholders, financing the venture, managing the growing business and exit strategies. Case studies and guest lectures by entrepreneurs and venture capital partners provide a real-world perspective. The major deliverable of this course is an early stage feasibility analysis of a venture of the student’s choosing.

  • Selected early stage feasibility analyses proposed by external constituents may be considered for evaluation by student teams in this course, which is offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Contact Instructor Robert L. Robb (r.robb@utdallas.edu) for further information.

 

ENTP 6380  Entrepreneurial Marketing (Fall)

This course addresses the marketing challenges facing the entrepreneurial firm, including the introduction and marketing of new products and services without the benefit of an established reputation, channel infrastructure or customer base. Topics include the development of marketing strategies, channel selection and design, product positioning, competitive pricing strategies, advertising and promotion, etc., all within the framework of the resource limitations inherent in an entrepreneurial startup.

  • Selected early stage opportunities proposed by external constituents may be considered for evaluation by student teams in this course, which is offered in the Fall semester. Appropriate projects will involve early stage entrepreneurial ventures or innovative technologies that require market research and analysis and/or the development of marketing plans and strategies. Contact Instructor Joseph C. Picken (jpicken@utdallas.edu) for further information.

 

ENTP 6398 The Entrepreneurial Experience (Spring)

This course will provide individuals or teams of students the opportunity to earn course credit while gaining actual work experience in entrepreneurial firms. Marketing, strategy or operations research projects will be developed jointly by faculty and the entrepreneurial firm, and made available to students as an opportunity to gain practical experience in an entrepreneurial organization. Evaluation will be based on a term paper or other major deliverable negotiated on a case by case basis. Prerequisites: (a) ENTP 6370 and consent of instructor, or (b) ENTP 6360 and consent of instructor. (3-0), R.

  • Selected early stage feasibility analyses proposed by external constituents may be considered for evaluation by student teams in this course, which will be offered in either the Fall or Spring semesters, depending on external demand for support and student interest. Appropriate projects will involve innovative technologies that require analysis and insight for the development of a compelling business case, market studies and competitive evaluations, development of marketing plans and strategies, etc. Contact Instructor Joseph C. Picken (jpicken@utdallas.edu) for further information.