CSE 507A: Information Technology Entrepreneurship

Spring 2007

Instructor	Patrick Crowley, Bryan Hall 522-D, pcrowley AT wustl.edu
Course web site	http://www.arl.wustl.edu/~pcrowley/cse/507/
Course newsgroup	wu.cse.class.507
Course meeting times	Monday & Wednesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, location Cupples II 217
Final exam	TBD
Office hours	TBD
Prerequisites	None.
TA/Grader	TBD

Caveat: This syllabus is tentative, and subject to adjustments and changes throughout the semester.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are on the waitlist, read below

I've been asked to tell you about CSE 408A, another course that meets on Mondays from 4-7PM.

Course Calendar

The course calendar contains links to daily lecture notes, readings, assignments, and other important details. You should visit it frequently.

Course Catalog Description

This is a course for students who plan to be, or work with, entrepreneurs. An entrepreneurial mindset is needed to create or grow economically viable enterprises, be they new companies, new groups within companies, or new University laboratories. This course aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial perspective with particular emphasis on information technology (IT)-related activities. The course is jointly offered for business and CSE students, allowing for acculturation between these disciplines. In addition to an introductory treatment of business and technology fundamentals, course topics will include: business ethics, opportunity assessment, team formation, financing, intellectual property, and University technology transfer. The course will feature significant participation and guest instruction from experienced practitioners. Prereqs: None. 3 units.

Course Topics

Over the course of the semester, we will consider a number of cross-cutting topics that represent a foundation for the practice of entrepreneurship. Topics will include:

The Relationship Between Successful Information Technology and Business
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Introduction to Technology Fundamentals & Exponential Trends
Introduction to Business Fundamentals
Dynamics of Globalization
Opportunity Assessment & Planning
Managing Intellectal Property, with an emphasis on issues for research universities
Building a Team
Ethics and New Ventures
Financing and Ownership Structures
Planning for Venture Maturity

Texts & Reading Material

We will use one primary textbook:

J. Timmons and S. Spinelli, New Venture Creation, Seventh edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

We will also likely read from additional sources, but these need not be purchased in advance of the course..

Assignments

There will be 3 types of assignments:

Readings. You will read a major portion of the 600+ page text, plus additional material. The course newsgroup will be used to discuss the readings. You will frequently submit commentaries on selected readings to the newsgroup prior to class; these will be identified on the course calendar.
Homeworks. There will be several homework assignments designed to deepen and evaluate your understanding.
Project. Groups consisting of a mix of business and CSE students will create and pitch a business plan.

Late Policy

As a general rule, late work will not be accepted. Special arrangements, either due to emergencies or made well in advance, will be considered individually.

Exams

There will be one final exam.

Grading

Final 30%
Assignments 50%
Class participation 20%

Additional Materials

You might find the following helpful throughout the semester.

Textbook web site

Disability Resources

Students with disabilities or suspected disabilities are strongly encouraged to both bring any additional considerations to the attention of the instructor and make full use of the University's Disability Resource Center (http://disability.wustl.edu).

Academic Integrity

(From Undergraduate Programs catalog, p. 16) You are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and refrain from the forms of misconduct spelled out in the University Academic Integrity Policy, which is published in full in Bearings and elsewhere. Violations will lead to disciplinary action and may result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Students and faculty have an obligation to uphold the highest standards of scholarship. Plagiarism or other forms of cheating are not tolerated. When a student has violated the standards of the academic community, an instructor may recommend that the student be brought before a disciplinary committee. These are the most frequent areas of violation:

failure to use adequate means of documentation in written reports or essays, resulting in plagiarism
unpermitted use of either prepared notes or the work of other students while taking a test
alteration of test materials that are submitted for regrading
collaboration with other students in preparing assignments, when not approved by the instructor.

Findings of academic misconduct may result in a written reprimand, failure of an assignment or course, disciplinary probation, withdrawal of merit-based scholarship support, or other sanctions. Severe or repeat offenses may be referred to the University Judicial Board for consideration of suspension or expulsion.