Core Courses and Requirements
Each BI degree is comprised of emphasis major courses, the innovation core, a cross-disciplinary core, and general education courses.Innovation Core
The Innovation Core is comprised of 24 Credits that are geared toward innovation and entrepreneurship; a key component is multi-disciplinary long-term team activities over the sophomore, junior and senior years. Teams are expected to include students from all years, and may include graduate students. These teams have dynamic membership and team member roles will change on a regular basis. An innovation core includes courses on innovation, entrepreneurship, business and IP law, and policy. Students develop an “innovation portfolio” throughout the program that documents and highlights their roles and contributions in these various courses. The eight required courses are listed below.
Course Descriptions
Designed to provide an introduction to the process of turning an idea into a successful startup business. Covers basic aspects of a successful business and introduces the student to the processes for creating a potentially successful business plan. Students will also learn to assess opportunities for venture/value creation, to address/identify risk in the startup process and develop presentation skills to convince others of the potential success to implement the business entity. This is the renumbering of what was ENTP1000. The new requirement is INOV1000 OR INOV1001, but you cannot take both.
Overviews the key components in the innovation process and examples of major innovations throughout history. Examines the interdisciplinary nature of innovation. Includes group exercises focused on improving team dynamics, brainstorming, conceptual-block busting and other creativity and problem solving activities. The new requirement is INOV1010 OR INOV1011, but you cannot take both.
Examines the legal significance of ideas, innovations, and start-up organizations. A focus on the issues of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, and brand protection. Coverage of essential contracts and agents. This is a renumbering of what was BLAW 2010, take this even if your requirement listed that. We do NOT accept BLAW 2000 as it lacks the intellectual property/innovation aspects of this course.
Technical writing course. Replaces ENGL 2090 for Bachelor of Innovation majors. Addresses five major types of technical writing: project reports, funding proposals, magazine and trade articles, technical reports, and journal articles. Includes peer review and critical assessments of others’ writings.
Sophomore level course emphasizing team projects, research, analyzing data, and reporting. Teams are expected to meet outside of class hours, possibly with sponsor companies. Meets concurrently with INOV 3010 and INOV 4010.
Junior level continuation of the teams course sequence with advanced participation in team projects including research, design, and execution. Teams are expected to meet outside of class hours, possibly with sponsor companies. Meets concurrently with INOV 2010 and INOV 4010.
Senior level continuation of the teams course sequence with emphasis on design and leading team projects. Teams are expected to meet outside of class hours, possibly with sponsor companies. Meets concurrently with INOV 2010 and INOV 3010.
TBD
Capstone course for the Bachelor of Innovation. Basic knowledge of finance and accounting, marketing, operations, and management is assumed. Topics include understanding the entrepreneurial process, assessing opportunities, selecting a start-up team, financing entrepreneurial ventures, writing and presenting business plans, and new venture and competitive strategy. Utilizes lectures and case studies as well as coaching teams in the creation of a business plan and public presentation for an innovative new business or nonprofit organization.
Cross-Discipline Core
Each major includes a per-student choice of a cross-discipline core, which is a coherent collection of 15 credits from one “cross-over” area. Students are encouraged to choose their cross-discipline as early as possible in the BI program, ideally before they enter their sophomore year. Cross-discipline options depend on the chosen major.
The pre-defined Cross-Discipline cores are:
BI Custom Cross-Discipline Core
This is a personalized core for students that have a different "intellectual" cultural experience. Students must submit a personalized prosed contract for approval and have it on file with their academic advisor. This core is available only to Veterans and Transfer students at the time of admission and by petition only for existing students who have switched majors.
- Transfer students: Transfer students who have taken at least 30 credits at another school may use 15 of those credits to complete this core. The courses must be outside of the student’s major and may not be applied to other degree requirements, including Compass Curriculum.
- Veterans: Veterans with at least four years of service can combine transfer courses that are outside of their major with any courses taken at UCCS that are outside their college to complete this core.