Course coordinator
Dr Rink-Jan Lohman
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
Students participating in this course will engage in the aspects of innovation related to pharmaceutical and medical technologies. They will build skills in communication and collaboration, working both independently and in teams to explore innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. Students will pitch novel methods or technologies aimed at strengthening an organisation’s capacity or expanding unique concepts, with a focus on their application within pharmaceutical and medical technology contexts. This course also supports the development of problem‑solving abilities and critical analytical skills that enable clear communication and focused, solution‑based approaches.
This course is designed to enhance graduate employability through the development of industry-aligned teamwork, communication, and leadership capabilities. Students will apply these skills to design and present a hypothetical innovation in novel pharmaceutical research with relevance to human health, and will use entrepreneurial frameworks to develop and pitch a simulated business case to a mock investor audience for assessment purposes. Students will also learn how to prepare an industry-standard CV/résumé and cover letter, and will participate in a mock interview to develop professional communication and job-seeking skills.
Course requirements
Restrictions
MPharmIndPrac students only
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Rink-Jan Lohman
Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan
Dr Anjana Jayasree
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Timetable information can be found on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for this course.
Aims and outcomes
Develop your professional persona. Build skills in communication and collaboration, and work both independently as well as in teams to explore innovative and entrepreneurial concepts and skills. Pitch novel methods or technologies to build an organisation's capacity or expand a unique concept and link these concepts to pharmaceutical and medical technologies organisations. Explore problem solving concepts and development critical analytical skills that enable clear communication and focussed solution-based behaviours.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Formulate and conceptualise emerging pharmaceutical or medical technologies innovations
LO2.
Communicate pharmaceutical or medical technology innovation, including pitching new ideas
LO3.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop an emerging pharmaceutical or medical technology innovation, incorporating a structured peer feedback process
LO4.
Develop key employability skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, organisation, and time management
LO5.
Write a CV, build a digital professional profile, and develop a professional narrative
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Written Innovation Project Proposal | 15% |
1/04/2026 3:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Scientific Innovation Board Pitch (oral) and peer Pitch review (written)
|
10% |
Pitch Presentation (in class) 23/04/2026 Peer Pitch Review (written) 29/04/2026 3:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Written Innovation Project Business Plan | 50% |
27/05/2026 3:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Oral Innovation Investor Pitch
|
15% |
28/05/2026
The oral schedule will be published on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site closer to the date |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Mock Job Application | 5% |
10/06/2026 3:00 pm |
| Role play/ Simulation |
Mock Job Interview
|
5% |
18/06/2026
The interview schedule will be published on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site closer to the date |
Assessment details
Written Innovation Project Proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
1/04/2026 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
As part of this course, you will start a fictitious Pharmaceutical Start-up company, complete with a disease or medical condition target portfolio and pharmaceutical treatment innovations for that portfolio. You will use your skills to attract mock-industry funding partners.
This assessment involves developing ideas for two novel pharmaceutical products of your own innovation for the treatment of a medical condition that is part of your company's portfolio. The task is to produce a written proposal for your company's two new medical entities. These entities must relate to the pharmaceutical industry and your company portfolio, but could be a novel medicine/drug, a medical device, a drug delivery system, formulation, or even an app! The two innovations may be related (e.g. novel drug and associated delivery device, biomarker monitoring device and connected mobile phone app) or completely separate (two new drugs, for instance) but they must target the diseases of your company's portfolio.
You will use patent literature and other resources to identify potential candidates for your own development, and with newly acquired knowledge of how Big Pharma innovate, you will promote your product to a Board (your peers). Although the innovations are fictitious, the report, the items and the scientific claims must be novel, realistic, and achievable. While there is room for creative and imaginative input, care must be taken to ensure that all claims and projected benefits are plausible within real-world pharmaceutical development constraints.
The document should be no more than 1,500 words (excluding tables, figures, references, and appendices).
All references must be formatted using Vancouver style.
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
The Written Innovation Project Proposal will be submitted via the Turnitin link provided in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Scientific Innovation Board Pitch (oral) and peer Pitch review (written)
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Pitch Presentation (in class) 23/04/2026
Peer Pitch Review (written) 29/04/2026 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Pitch Presentation (Oral)
The aim of this task is to pitch your two pharmaceutical innovations to a simulated Pharmaceutical Company Board of Directors (your peers).
The presentation should provide a concise overview of all key aspects of your written proposal, delivered in an enthusiastic and professional manner, demonstrating how your pharmaceutical innovation could potentially transform the treatment of your chosen medical condition.
The presentation duration will be 15 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of questions and open discussion.
The oral presentation will be recorded and retained in accordance with University policy.
- There will not be a specific online submission date. This assessment task must be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and discussed in class.
- The presentation will be marked during your oral using a rubric (found in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Pitch review (Peer-Assessed)
Each student will submit a written report providing constructive feedback on their peers’ pitch presentations, including evaluation of the proposed innovation and the quality of the presentation style.
Students should also provide their personal perspective on the potential of the innovation going forward.
Each student will review at least two peer’s presentations.
The peer review reports must not exceed 500 words each, excluding references where applicable.
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
- The oral pitch will be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and discussed during class.
- The written component (peer reviews of the pitches) will be submitted via the Turnitin link posted in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Written Innovation Project Business Plan
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
27/05/2026 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This is the most important component of the overall assessment and will integrate all aspects of your original Innovation Proposal, your Pitch Presentation, and the feedback received from your peers. You will select one of your original innovations and write a proposal aimed at investors on how your product will change the way your selected medical condition is treated, with the aim of creating interest by investors to gain funding opportunities! It should provide a refined argument of your original proposal, in light of the selected single new medical entity or technology that has been proposed going forward for investor support.
The Innovation Project Business Plan must clearly demonstrate the commercial and clinical value of the proposed new medical entity.
The report must not exceed 2,500 words (excluding tables, figures, references, and appendices).
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for the rubric and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
The Written Innovation Project Business Plan will be submitted via the Turnitin link provided in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Oral Innovation Investor Pitch
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
28/05/2026
The oral schedule will be published on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site closer to the date
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
In this assessment, you will deliver a pitch for your selected pharmaceutical innovation to a panel of mock investors.
This presentation is an oral overview of your Innovation Project Business Plan.
This pitch differs from your earlier presentation, which targeted a more scientific or clinical audience. In contrast, this presentation must be tailored to investors - an audience that is intelligent but not necessarily scientifically minded.
The pitch may take whatever form you choose and you may use whatever prompts you deem necessary. You are pitching to investors so they have to appreciate the need, the advantage and the feasibility of the new technology or medicine, however, it should address all key elements of your business plan, and insights gained from peer feedback received during earlier pitches.
The presentation duration will be 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions and discussion.
- There will not be a specific online submission date. This assessment task must be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and discussed in class.
- The presentation will be marked during your oral using a rubric (found in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
The pitch presentation will be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and discussed during class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Mock Job Application
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
10/06/2026 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
In this activity, you will mock-apply for a role in the pharmaceutical industry by preparing a professionally formatted cover letter tailored to the job advertisement. Please note, you will not actually be applying for the job. This is a learning experience only!
Letter formatting requirements:
- Strict maximum of one page
- Readable professional font (size 11; Times New Roman or Arial)
The job description and all details of the assessment schedule and expectations are provided on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for this course.
Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
The written job application letter will be submitted via the Turnitin link provided in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Mock Job Interview
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
18/06/2026
The interview schedule will be published on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site closer to the date
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
You will now participate in a mock job interview designed to reflect a typical interview process used within the pharmaceutical industry.
During the interview, you will be asked a series of questions commonly used in pharmaceutical and life sciences roles. Your goal is to demonstrate professionalism, confidence, and suitability for the position, and to impress the interview panel through your responses and overall presentation.
Although this is a mock interview and will not impact your immediate employment prospects, students are strongly encouraged to approach this activity as a dress rehearsal for a real pharmaceutical industry interview. Job interviews can be intimidating and challenging. Developing confidence and experience in this setting is extremely valuable and will serve you well in future professional opportunities.
- There will not be a specific online submission date. This assessment task must be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and discussed in class.
- The presentation will be marked during your oral using a rubric found in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Students should consult the assessment section within the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for detailed task requirements and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
A scheduled timetable will be made for the students; students will attend the interview (in person or via Zoom) at the scheduled time. Only 1 student can be present at a time during the interview.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
The mock interview will be completed in person within the designated class time (to be announced during class schedule). Dates of the oral will be posted on the timeline and class discussion .
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 4 |
Lecture |
Project Development These lectures will focus on patent search, assessing unmet medical needs, and establishing a pharmaceutical or medical device company. Related learning resources can be found in the Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Tutorial |
Project Development These tutorials will focus on patent search, assessing unmet medical needs, and establishing a pharmaceutical or medical device company. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 5 |
Lecture |
Teamwork This learning activity will involve a series of teamwork dynamics outlined in the lectures and notes in the learning resources section in Blackboard. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Tutorial |
Teamwork This tutorial will involve a series of teamwork development and working in teams. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 7 |
Lecture |
Leadership This learning activity will involve a series of leadership styles outlined within the lectures and tutorials. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Tutorial |
Leadership This tutorial will explore leadership within the context of project management. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 9 |
Lecture |
Communication This lecture series will explore communication and pitching to the board of directors and potential investors. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Communication This tutorial will explore the communication styles to pitch in a corporate setting with investors. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 9 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Employability This learning activity will involve a series of lectures and tutorials on employability and professionalism within the workplace. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Employability The tutorial will explore employability with relation to applying for a job, writing a cover letter and CV along with professional persona. Additional resources can be found in the UQ Extend content within Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.