Course Outline

MBA730 Business Capstone Project

Course Coordinator:Riarna Hellyer (rhellyer@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Session 3

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In today’s dynamic global business environment, professionals must be equipped to respond to emerging trends and complex challenges with strategic insight. This capstone course enables students to consolidate and apply their learning by undertaking a substantial applied project in collaboration with industry. This may occur through a study tour involving direct industry engagement, or through a locally based industry-linked initiative. Students will investigate a contemporary business issue or opportunity, explore relevant literature, engage with professional practices, and develop evidence-based recommendations. The course emphasises sustainability, digital transformation, and reflective practice, preparing students to lead and innovate in real-world business contexts.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled workshop 2hrs Week 1 2 times
Fieldwork – Fieldwork/project work or equivalent. Assessment tasks are directly linked with the fieldwork. 55hrs Not applicable Once Only
Learning materials – Interactive online learning materials 3hrs Week 1 3 times

Course Topics

N/A

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
1 Synthesise and apply advanced business knowledge, concepts, and theories to investigate a complex industry issue or opportunity. Knowledgeable
PC1.1, PC1.2, PC3.1, PC5
2 Design and deliver innovative, evidence-based solutions to real-world business problems. Creative and critical thinker
PC1.2, PC2, PC2.1, PC5, PC6.1
3 Demonstrate effective leadership and collaboration in diverse project teams or autonomous settings within a professional business environment. Empowered
PC1.1, PC3, PC3.1, PC5, PC6.2
4 Demonstrate ethical judgement and integrate socially responsible and sustainable practices in addressing business challenges. Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
PC6, PC6.1, PC6.2
5 Demonstrate personal accountability and critically reflect on learning and performance to support continuous professional development and future career goals. Engaged
PC6, PC6.1, PC6.2
6 Communicate strategic business insights and recommendations effectively in written, oral, and digital formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Engaged
PC1.1, PC1.2, PC1.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC1.2 Oral Communication
PC1.3 Digital Literacy
PC2 Collaboration
PC2.1 Leadership and Teamwork
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC5 Cultural Awareness
PC6 Career-adaptive
PC6.1 Adaptability
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any PGRD Program.

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

The course includes a formative assessment task in Week 2 to give early feedback on progress.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Plan Individual or Group 0%
1-page.
Week 2 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual or Group 30%
10 minute presentation and slide deck
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 3a Artefact - Professional Individual 50%
3000 words or equivalent
Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3b Written Piece Individual 20%
Approximately 1,000 words
Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Project Plan
Goal:
Develop a structured plan for your capstone project, identifying the emerging or contemporary issue, proposed method, and expected outcomes. Approval is required before continuing.
Product: Plan
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You are encouraged to submit the Plan before Week 2 to obtain approval from the course coordinator as soon as possible.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Issue clarity and relevance
1
2
Alignment and feasibility
2
3
Project structure and logic
2
4
Professional writing and use of template
6
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Progress Report
Goal:
The purpose of this task is to present your progress to date on the final output.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
10-minute presentation and slide deck. See the Canvas Site for more information.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Clarity of business issue articulation and strategic framing
1
2
Relevance and rigour of applied theory and concepts
1
3
Strength of evidence and justification
2
4
Integration of ethical, social, or sustainability considerations
4
5
Engagement, structure, and delivery of oral communication
6
6
Effective team collaboration or autonomy as appropriate
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3a:Capstone Output
Goal:
Deliver an in-depth analysis and solution to the identified business issue. The nature of your final output (e.g. product, platform, solution, report) is according to your project plan.
Product: Artefact - Professional
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment. Written piece - 3,000 words. See the Canvas Site for more information.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Depth of analysis and application of theory
1
2
Strength of evidence and justification for proposed solutions
2
3
Accountability, leadership and professionalism
3
4
Integration of ethical, social, or sustainability considerations
4
5
Professional and strategic communication
6
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3b:Reflective Statement
Goal:
To critically reflect on your learning experience throughout your capstone project.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
A structured reflective statement. To be submitted along with your Task 3(a) output.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Depth of critical reflection
6
2
Reflection on own engagement and collaboration
3
3
Forward-thinking and development planning
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: