Course coordinator
Dr Willem Janse Van Rensburg
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course is designed to provide final year students a unique platform to apply and extend their knowledge across various disciplines within Business, Commerce and Tourism. Students will collaborate closely with a diverse team of peers to devise innovative solutions and strategies for novel, complex challenges presented by industry partners. Students will gain project management skills, learn to practically apply academic learnings in a multidisciplinary team context, and develop a comprehensive, workplace-ready skill set to transition smoothly into the professional world. Information about how to apply for RBUS4888 can be found on the BEL Faculty's work-integrated learning website.
This course is one of a suite of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) courses that provide students with the opportunity to apply their conceptual knowledge to the real world via an industry consultancy project. For more information on applying to be accepted to this course please consult https://bel.uq.edu.au/for-students/careers/wil.
In this course students are allocated to a small project team that will provide a business solution to an industry partner. Project work occur continuously throughout the semester and is supervised by a facilitator/tutor. Students are required to do in-person and/or virtual site visits to the main operations of the industry partner to gain contextual knowledge of the project challenge and to conduct research for the successful completion of the project. The project culminates in a presentation and report to the industry partner.
Students will attend a series of lectures/workshops that introduce key concepts and skills related to project consultancy work, including project setup and planning, team collaboration and communication, and project documentation and presentation.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
32 units in BAdvBus(Hons) or BAdvFinEcon(Hons); GPA of 4.0 or higher. Approval required from Head of School via BEL Student Administration Team.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
FINM4411 or PBEL3000 or RBUS3888
Restrictions
Restricted to students in 3rd year or higher of the BAdvBus(Hons) or BAdvFinEcon(Hons) programs
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- RBUS7888 Business Industry Consultancy Project
Students will jointly attend the seminar/workshop series with both RBUS3888 and RBUS7888.
Course contact
Projects coordinator
Mr Iain Munro
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Willem Janse Van Rensburg
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Weekly seminars/workshops will be scheduled to assist students through the Course. Attendance is required.
Each project will be allocated a facilitator/tutor who will meet with the project team(s) once a week. This facilitator/tutor meeting time will be negotiated with the tutor and team members, and attendance is required.
In addition to meeting with their tutors, teams will collaborate continuously and independently throughout the semester to ensure all project objectives are met.
You must check the course's learn.uq site as well as your university email address for course announcements, updates and additional information throughout the semester.
Should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to apply conceptual knowledge to the real world via an industry project. As such, this course links discipline learnings, skills and attributes developed by students across the duration of their studies with the challenges and expectations of working with an industry partner on a consultancy project to solve complex business problems. In doing so, students have the opportunity to gain valuable consultancy, project-based, and professional work skills in their chosen area of specialisation.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply interdisciplinary knowledge to critically analyse and solve complex real-world industry problems in an innovative manner.
LO2.
Develop professional practice, project management, consultancy, and research skills through collaborative problem solving, including key employability skills such as teamwork and communication.
LO3.
Be an effective team member while managing professional relationships and expectations of industry partners.
LO4.
Persuasively pitch and defend business solutions and recommendations in relation to the industry partner's problem.
LO5.
Present a business report that reflects continuous feedback and delivers a viable solution to the industry problem.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
A1: Critical reflection
|
30% |
2/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation |
A2: Presentation
|
30% |
23/05/2025 5:00 pm
The exact day and time of the presentation will be determined in negotiation with the industry partner. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
A3: Project execution and final report
|
40% |
30/05/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
A1: Critical reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
2/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
In this assessment, students will reflect on the execution of the project, their individual contributions, and the skills and attributes they demonstrated. They will also consider the feedback they received and provided, key takeaways from the experience, and areas for personal development. Throughout the project, students are required to maintain a personal diary, documenting their learnings and significant incidents, which will serve as a foundation for this reflection.
A full task description will be available on the course's learn.uq site.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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.
A2: Presentation
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
23/05/2025 5:00 pm
The exact day and time of the presentation will be determined in negotiation with the industry partner.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor, Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04
Task description
By the end of the semester (Week 12), students will present the findings of their project to the industry partner. The presentation will be delivered via PowerPoint, either in-person at the client’s site or through video conferencing, depending on the circumstances. Students are expected to clearly communicate their project methodology, present supporting evidence in a coherent manner, and propose a compelling, actionable solution with well-founded recommendations.
ALL students are expected to present orally during the formal presentation of the team's findings. Students will also engage in the discussion and Q&A as required.
A full task description will be available on the course's learn.uq site.
A peer assessment factor will be applied to this assessment. Project team members will assess each other's performance based on the following criteria:
- Effort and willingness
- Communication
- Reliability
Please Note: The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes per UQ Policy.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Written materials, including the slide deck, should NOT be handed to the industry partner unless reviewed and approved by the tutor.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this presentation due to industry partner timetables.
Late submission
Late submissions are not accepted for the presentations. Failure to present to the industry partner on the agreed date and time will result in a mark of zero.
A3: Project execution and final report
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
30/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor, Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
The project culminates in the delivery of a final report to the industry partner containing the team's research, data, analysis and findings/recommendations. This assessment evaluates the quality of the final written report, as well as the quality of the processes that went into its creation, e.g. project setup and management, internal collaboration and communication, and client interactions. A full task description will be available on the course's learn.uq site.
A peer assessment factor will be applied to this assessment. Project team members will assess each other's performance based on the following criteria:
- Effort and willingness
- Communication
- Reliability
AI Statement:
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Written materials, including the slide deck, should NOT be handed to the industry partner unless reviewed and approved by the tutor.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this presentation due to industry partner agreement.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 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 not available for some items in this course.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Meet your team Students meet the Course Coordinator, WIL staff, facilitators/tutors and are assembled in their respective teams. This is an important coordination session as teams need to negotiate communication protocols and meeting times for the rest of the semester. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials Students will attend tutorials once a week during the course of the semester. The tutorials are meant to help students plan and manage their project, track progress, address issues/problems, and receive general guidance from their tutor. The meeting times and locations for the tutorials are negotiated between the students and their tutors at the 'Meet your team' lecture in Week 1. |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Course introduction and project consultancy essentials The seminar will include:
Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Managing the client relationship In this seminar we will explore:
Learning outcomes: L02 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Project management The seminar will include:
Note: Some of the criteria of assessment A3: Project execution and report will be graded during this seminar. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Collaborating and communicating in a team The seminar will include:
Note: Some of the criteria of assessment A3: Project execution and report will be graded during this seminar. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Project documentation and reporting The seminar will include:
Note: Some of the criteria of assessment A3: Project execution and report will be graded during this seminar. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Presentation skills The seminar will include:
Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Project progress feedback Each team will orally report on their progress to the lecturer. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Workplace reflection Discussion about reflective practice, reflective tools and reflective writing for professional use. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Project deliverables evaluation Teams discuss and evaluate their accomplishment of project deliverables. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Rehearsals Teams present their findings to teaching staff for feedback. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Client presentations Teams present their solution to their business partner. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Final learnings Discussion of learnings from the client presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, 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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.