ICM318: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Applications

Module code: ICM318

Module provider: ICMA Centre; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Andrew Urquhart, email: a.j.urquhart@icmacentre.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides a detailed course on how blockchains work, with a strong emphasis on cryptocurrencies.  Blockchain technology is rapidly changing the financial industry and beyond. Countless applications are being explored in payments, insurance, lending, fund raising, settlement of securities transactions and contract execution. In this course we will explore what a blockchain is and how it can be used – especially from the perspective of cryptocurrencies. The module will present technical concepts at a high level of the Bitcoin blockchain and its inner-workings, as well as explore the important issues facing cryptocurrencies such as storage, exchanges, regulation and relationship with traditional assets.  Further, the module will provide an overview of other blockchains, with a heavy emphasis on Ethereum. This module will equip you with the tools and knowledge to be able to understand the workings of blockchains and cryptocurrencies.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

• Clearly explain the workings of blockchains 
• Proficiently discuss and independently research topics related to the blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies 
• Explain how the bitcoin blockchain processes transactions and reaches consensus 
• Critically discuss current issues in the cryptocurrency landscapefintech landscape 

Module content

1. What is blockchain and its applications 
2. Bitcoin Basics 
3. Decentralization 
4. Mechanics of Bitcoin 
5. How to store and use Bitcoin 
6. Mining 
7. Bitcoin Economics 
8. Smart Contracts and Ethereum 
9. Altcoins and the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem 
10. Current topics in blockchain and cryptocurrencies 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The core theory and concepts will be presented during lectures. Problem sets will be solved in workshops. 

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% weighted average mark  

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs