Module Code: H8BLF
Long Title Blockchain Foundations
Title Blockchain Foundations
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator:  
Module Author: Alex Courtney
Departments: School of Computing
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff


MSc degree in Computer Science. Experience Lecturing, work experience or projects in the specific domain
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Investigate Blockchain Technologies, Core Components, & Current State of the art use cases.
LO2 Distinguish the variations, protocols, challenges & ongoing disruptive nature of Blockchain Technologies.
LO3 Compose & Build while critically evaluating blockchain applications and infrastructure.
LO4 Demonstrate a concise understanding Blockchain technologies & its corresponding impacts on existing processes and industries.
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

Learners should have attained the knowledge, skills and competence gained from stage 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Computing.
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Foundations of Blockchain Technologies
The History of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies. Types of Blockchain. Brief: Blockchain Stack and Core Components
Blockchain Publications in Academia
Foundational Academic Literature - White Papers (BTC/ETH). Blockchain for Education
Blockchain Stack and Core Components
Block Composition - Cross Section of Components. Consensus Mechanisms (POET/POB/POS/POW). Proof of Elapsed Time / Burn / Stake / Work etc. DLT - Distributed Ledger Technology. Hashing - Merkle Tree
Blockchain Management
Decentralization. Brewer's CAP. Public, Private & Enterprise
Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
The Current Exchange. Storing and Using Cryptocurrencies. Mining. Recent Trends and Developments:. Libre / BitCash / LiteCoin / ETH / BTC
Current State of Blockchain
Existing and Emerging Use Cases. A Thorough Study: Evolution & Revolution. Evolution Thus Far (BitCoin/HyperLedger/Ethereum/Monero/Tor)
Security, Identity & Cryptography in Blockchain
Cryptography - revision. Confidentiality, Integrity & Authentication. Symmetric & Asymmetric. Non-Repudiation. Public & Private Keys
The Blockchain Identity
Merkle , Back, Chaum & CypherPunks. Secure Hashing Algorithm –. Hash Functions. Digital Signatures vs Anonymity
Blockchain Applications
Bitcoin: Overview of Bitcoin System. Transactions / P2P Network / Blocks. Ethereum: Overview of Ethereum System. EVM / Smart Contracts / DevOps / DApps
Development in Blockchain
Development of a DApp - Tools. Blockchain API's
Blockchain Use Cases, Business and Legal Aspects
Cryptourbanomics - The Use of Blockchain in Urban Development. Economy & Business. Legal Aspects within the Public Sector
The Future for Blockchain
Institutional Initiatives for Blockchain. The Future for Blockchain
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Assessment60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Formative Assessment % of total: Non-Marked
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: Yes
Assessment Description:
Formative assessment will be provided on the in-class individual or group activities.
Assessment Type: Continuous Assessment % of total: 40
Assessment Date: Week 10 Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Literary Review of White Papers supporting blockchain inception and developments. Within this assessment is also the task to understand current Use Cases and for the student to identify and document other potential implementations and use cases of Blockchain technologies. e.g. Bitcoin / Ethereum / Monero / Libre White Papers e.g. Use Cases / Medical / Supply Chain / Audit Framework / Financial Markets / Consumer Markets
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 60
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
End of semester examination.
No Workplace Assessment
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
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.

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 & Demonstrations (hours) 24 Every Week 24.00
Tutorial Other hours (Practical/Tutorial) 24 Every Week 24.00
Independent Learning Independent learning (hours) 202 Every Week 202.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 48.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 24 Per Semester 2.00
Tutorial No Description 36 Per Semester 3.00
Independent Learning No Description 190 Per Semester 15.83
Total Weekly Contact Hours 5.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Andreas M. Antonopoulos,Gavin Wood. (2018), Mastering Ethereum, O'Reilly Media, p.384, [ISBN: 9781491971949].
  • Andreas M. Antonopoulos. (2016), Mastering Bitcoin, O'Reilly Media, p.330, [ISBN: 9781491954386].
  • Imran Bashir. Mastering Blockchain, [ISBN: 978-1788839044].
  • Ethereum White Paper Butlerin, V. (0), Ethereum White Paper: A next-generation smart contract and decentralized application platform, https://github.com/ethereum/wiki/wiki/White-Paper.
  • Bitcoin White Paper. (0), Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Igor Pejic. (2019), Blockchain Babel, Kogan Page, p.288, [ISBN: 978-0749484163].
  • Article/Paper List.
  • Type.
  • Item.
  • Hal Finney.. (2004), , Reusable PoW, n/a, https://cryptome, htm, org/rpow.
  • Wei Dai. (0), B-Money, n/a, http://www.weidai.com/bmoney.txt.
  • Eric Hughes.. (1993), , A Cypherpunk's Manifesto, https://www, net/cypherpunk/manifesto, activism.
  • Dr Adam Back.. (1997), , Hashcash, http://www, org/papers/announce, hashcash.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: