Module: Blockchain: Basics & Applications

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Blockchain: Basics & Applications
Module Code	CSC1148 (ITS: CA688)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10639	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Irina Tal	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21147	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Irina Tal	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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
Formal Examination	n/a	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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).

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None