FITE7409B - Blockchain and cryptocurrency

Semester 2, 2022-23

Professors	K.P. Chow S.M. Yiu John Yuen
Teaching assistants	Kwan Yin Chan Shimin Pan
Syllabus	This course is for students who are not computer science majors.  In this course, students will learn the rationales behind the design of blockchain and cryptocurrency, the key technical / cryptographic elements that build up the blockchain technology, classifications of different types of blockchains, the comparisons of different blockchain platforms, what applications fit the best for the blockchain technology, and example applications in a wide range of disciplines.  This course will also introduce some popular cryptocurrencies, e.g. Bitcoin, discuss in details about bitcoin transactions, briefly introduce what a cryptocurrency exchange is, and the evil sides of cryptocurrencies (e.g. being the ransoms of ransomware and money laundry).
Introduction by Professor	Blockchain is a core technology in Fintech.  Originally designed as the key enabling technology behind the revolutionary cryptocurrency Bitcoin, many companies now find blockchain very useful in different areas such as finance, logistics, insurance, medicine, origin tracing, and data trading etc., thanks to its unique characteristics.  How do Bitcoin and its blockchain work?  What kinds of applications best fit blockchain?  What are their limitations?  To answer these questions, this module will cover the design rationale of blockchains and why blockchain is considered to be “secure” and “immutable”?  We also will talk about bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, in particular, what are their differences.  The module will also discuss the pros and cons of blockchain technology and the abuse of the technology in criminal activities. The module does not assume any prior technical background.
Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Relevant Programme Learning Outcome CLO1. Identify key components behind the design of blockchain and to understand the types of applications that best fit the model of blockchain PLO. 1, 2, 3, 4 CLO2. Understand why blockchain is considered “secure” and “immutable” and the design of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies PLO. 1, 2, 4 CLO3. Understand the limitations, pros and cons of blockchains and cryptocurrencies, their downsides, and possible enhancements PLO. 4, 5, 6
Pre-requisites	Nil
Compatibility	Nil
Topics covered	Course Content No. of Hours Course Learning Outcomes Key elements of Blockchain Technology 3 CLO1, CLO2 Different applications of Blockchain Technology and what applications can best fit this platform 3 CLO1, CLO3 Bitcion and other cryptocurrences 9 CLO2 Security and Privacy Issues 6 CLO3 Cryptocurrency Exchange 3 CLO3 Evil Sides of Cryptocurrencies 3 CLO3 Consensus & Scalability, other alternatives 3 CLO1, CLO3
Assessment	Description Type Weighting * Tentative Assessment Period / Examination Period ^ 3 Written Assignments Continuous Assessment 50% - Written exam covers all taught content in the course. Written Examination 50% 8 - 23 May 2023 * The weighting of coursework and examination marks is subject to approval ^ The exact examination date uses to be released when all enrolments are confirmed after add/drop period by the Examinations Office.  Students are obliged to follow the examination schedule.  Students should NOT enrol in the course if they are not certain that they will be in Hong Kong during the examination period.  Absent from examination may result in failure in the course. There is no supplementary examination for all MSc curriculums in the Faculty of Engineering.
Course materials	Lecture Notes Available from the course webpage
Session dates	Date Time Venue Remark Session 1 7 Feb 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 2 14 Feb 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 3 21 Feb 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 4 28 Feb 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 5 21 Mar 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 6 28 Mar 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 7 4 Apr 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 8 11 Apr 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 9 18 Apr 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm LE-2 Face-to-face Session 10 25 Apr 2023 (Tue) 7:00pm - 10:00pm Online Zoom LE - Library Extension Building
Add/drop	16 January, 2023 - 14 February, 2023
Maximum class size	124