Module: Blockchain: Basics & Applications

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Blockchain: Basics & Applications
Module Code	CA688 (ITS) / CSC1148 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
Module Co-ordinator	Irina Tal
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination

Description

This module will introduce the students to Blockchain technology and how it can be used in applications.

Learning Outcomes

1. Gain a detailed understanding of how Blockchain works.
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of how transactions and exchanges are implemented using Blockchain technology.
3. Compare various smart contracts and how they can be implemented using Blockchain technology.
4. Critically evaluate various crypto-currencies, such as Bitcoin, and how they are built using Blockchain technologies.
5. Explain the key concept in crypto-economics.
6. Critically evaluate Blockchain weaknesses and attack vectors.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Online activity	36	Lectures
Assignment Completion	24	No Description
Independent Study	127	No Description
Total Workload: 187

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Blockchain Introduction
What is Blockchain? Types of Blockchain systems (public vs. private vs. hybrid, permissionless vs. permissioned). Decentralised Organisations. Alternative Blockchains.

Distributed Ledger Technologies:
Blockchain structure (structure of a block, structure of block header). Consensus algorithms and mining (PoW, PoS, DPoS, PoA, etc.).

Transactions and Exchanges
What are transactions? Types of transactions. Transaction data structure. Verification of transactions.

Smart Contracts
What are smart contracts. Smart contract templates. Oracles. Deploying smart contracts.

Cryptoeconomics
What is cryptoeconomics? Overview of Bitcoin. Wallets. Bitcoin innovations. Alternative cryptocurrencies. Limitations and threats.

Blockchain Threats and Challenges
Introduction to scalability. Privacy (Obfuscation, Homomorphic encryption, zero-knowledge proofs).

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	40%	Examination Weight	60%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	The students will be given several use cases/topics and will be asked to do an analysis of the best blockchain platforms that suits the given scenario or a relevant investigation in the chosen topic following a clearly devised methodology. Students will need to prepare a scientific paper that documents the analysis/investigation and they will also need to prepare a presentation to present their analysis/research and defend their work.	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Imran Bashir: 2018, Mastering Blockchain, 2, Packt Publishing, 978-178883904

Other Resources

None