THE BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES

CSE5BCC

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject introduces students to the principles and processes involved in blockchain technologies. The blockchain offers a way to secure transactions online between two parties, when there is no trusted intermediary available. A common use is in financial transactions without a bank as an intermediary, such as bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. This subject covers the fundamentals of blockchain technology, including how the blockchain works, and how it is applied to modern digital transactions, including cryptocurrencies and smart contracts.

School: Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Jabed Chowdhury

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be admitted into SMCYC or SMCYL or SMCYB or must obtain subject coordinator's approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Narayanan, A., Bonneau, J., Felten, E., Miller, A. & Goldfeder, S.

Year: 2016

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Princeton University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Critically compare the use of blockchains and distributed ledgers as alternatives to traditional approaches to financial transactions in trust-free transactions.
02. Evaluate the use of blockchains in different cryptocurrencies to create a set of recommendations for appropriate usage by business and industry.
03. Evaluate security measures in distributed ledgers to minimise risk.
04. Analyse transactions and operations on blockchains and smart contracts required to plan more robust financial systems.
05. Assess the commercial and legal environments needed for cryptocurrency start-ups to ensure business success.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jabed Chowdhury

Class requirements

Computer LaboratoryWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours computer laboratory per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours lecture/workshop per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Two-hour exam (2,000 words)

N/AN/AN/ANo30SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

Assignment 1 - Using Blockchains, written individual assignment (1,000-words)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO2, SILO3

Assignment 2 - Blockchain Start-up Challenge, written group assignment (1,000-words per student)Students are required to work in a small group to complete the assignment. Groups will be assigned by the lecturer and use ZOOM to allow online student participation. Detailed guidance on student roles will be provided.

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO5

Assign 3-Word report outlining own learning of Blockchains reported on in Assign 2 & 3 (1,500-word)Presented as a newspaper article genre in non-technical English for lay readership.

N/AN/AN/ANo30SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4