| Module Code: |
H9CB |
|
Long Title
|
Cryptography and Blockchain
|
|
Title
|
Cryptography and Blockchain
|
| Module Level: |
LEVEL 9 |
| EQF Level: |
7 |
| EHEA Level: |
Second Cycle |
| Module Coordinator: |
Arghir Moldovan |
| Module Author: |
Andrea Del Campo Dugova |
| Departments: |
School of Computing
|
| Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff |
PhD/Master’s degree in a computing or cognate discipline. May have industry experience also.
|
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
Research historical, current, and future trends in cryptography. |
| LO2 |
Compare, contrast, and account for the cryptographic theories, principles and techniques used to establish security properties. |
| LO3 |
Analyse, choose, and assess existing methods for cryptography and reflect upon the limits and applicability of such methods. |
| LO4 |
Investigate Blockchain Technologies, Core Components and current state-of-the-art use cases while demonstrating a concise understanding of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger technologies with corresponding impacts on existing processes and industries. |
| LO5 |
Appraise the variations in protocols, challenges and ongoing disruptive nature of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, including ethical issues and adoption. |
| Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
|
| No recommendations listed |
Co-requisite Modules
|
| No Co-requisite modules listed |
| Entry requirements |
Programme entry requirements must be satisfied.
|
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
|
Introduction and History
• Types of Cryptography
• Classical encryption schemes and their inadequacies
• Principles of Modern Cryptography
• Perfect Secrecy
|
|
Mathematical Preliminaries
• Probability
• Number Theory
• Statistics
|
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Computational Security
• One-time Pad
• Computational Secrecy
• Pseudo Randomness
• Stream Ciphers
|
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Block Ciphers
• Definition
• Types such as S-DES, DES and AES
• Multiple Encryption
• Mode of Operations (ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, CTR)
|
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Public Key Cryptography
• Public Key Encryption
• Digital Signature
• RSA-Based Public-Key Encryption
• Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange
• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
|
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Hash Functions
• Hash functions
• Application of Hash Functions in Public Key cryptography
|
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Foundation of Blockchain Technologies
• The History of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
• Types of Blockchain
• Blockchain Stack and Core Components
|
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Blockchain Management
• Decentralization
• Consensus Mechanisms
• DLT - Distributed Ledger Technology
• Storing and Using Cryptocurrencies
• Smart Contracts
|
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Implementations
• Existing and Emerging Use Cases
• Evolution of Thus Far (BitCoin, HyperLedger, and Ethereum)
|
|
Use Cases and Legal Aspects
• Current Use cases of Blockchain
• Legal Aspects within the Public Sector
|
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Trend & Future
• Quantum Cryptography
• The future of Blockchain
• Open Problems
|
|
Revision
Revision
|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% |
| End of Module Assessment | 60.00% |
AssessmentsFull Time
| Coursework |
| Assessment Type: |
Formative Assessment |
% of total: |
Non-Marked |
| Assessment Date: |
n/a |
Outcome addressed: |
1,2,3,4,5 |
| Non-Marked: |
Yes |
Assessment Description:
Formative assessment will be provided on the in-class individual or group activities. Feedback will be provided in written or oral format, or on-line through Moodle. In addition, in class discussions will be undertaken as part of the practical approach to learning. |
|
| Assessment Type: |
Continuous Assessment |
% of total: |
40 |
| Assessment Date: |
n/a |
Outcome addressed: |
1,2 |
| Non-Marked: |
No |
Assessment Description:
In class test where students are asked to answer a number of questions. |
|
| End of Module Assessment |
| Assessment Type: |
Terminal Exam |
% of total: |
60 |
| Assessment Date: |
End-of-Semester |
Outcome addressed: |
3,4,5 |
| Non-Marked: |
No |
Assessment Description:
The terminal examination will assess the learning outcomes requiring a critical understanding of the concepts related to Cryptography and Blockchain. |
|
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
|
Reassessment Description
The reassessment strategy for this module will consist of a terminal examination that will assess all learning outcomes.
|
NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours |
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Classroom and demonstrations |
24 |
Per Semester |
2.00 |
| Tutorial |
Mentoring and small-group tutoring |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Independent Learning |
Independent learning |
89 |
Per Semester |
7.42 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
| Workload: Blended |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Classroom and demonstrations |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Tutorial |
Mentoring and small-group tutoring |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Directed Learning |
Directed e-learning |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Independent Learning |
Independent learning |
89 |
Per Semester |
7.42 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Classroom and demonstrations |
24 |
Per Semester |
2.00 |
| Tutorial |
Mentoring and small-group tutoring |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Independent Learning |
Independent learning |
89 |
Per Semester |
7.42 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
-
Jonathan Katz,Yehuda Lindell. (2020), Introduction to Modern Cryptography, 3rd Edition. Chapman and Hall/CRC, [ISBN: 978-0815354369].
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William Stallings. (2020), Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice, 8th Edition. Pearson, [ISBN: 978-0135764268].
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Daniel Drescher. (2017), Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps, 1st Edition. Apress, p.255, [ISBN: 978-1484226032].
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
-
Andreas M. Antonopoulos. (2016), Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain, 2nd Edition. O'Reilly Media, p.330, [ISBN: 978-1491954386].
-
Andreas M. Antonopoulos,Gavin Wood. (2018), Mastering Ethereum: Building Smart Contracts and DApps, 1st Edition. O'Reilly Media, p.384, [ISBN: 978-1491971949].
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
|---|
| Other Resources |
|---|
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