Students
AFIN8014 – FinTech and Innovation
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Cynthia Cai
Angela Chow
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(AFIN6012 and (AFIN613 or AFIN6013)) or (admission to MBkgFin or MFin)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Technology has been transforming the finance industry, with the potential to disrupt traditional industry structure and practice. This unit introduces the main building blocks of FinTech (blockchain, big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence) and how these technologies could provide transformative solutions to underlying finance problems (including economic and psychological issues) and reshape the finance industry with innovations. Cutting-edge cases will be used to illustrate the core concepts. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify fundamental economic and psychological issues in the current financial system.
- ULO2: Explore fundamental techniques in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence
- ULO3: Evaluate how major advances in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence are applicable to finance problems.
- ULO4: Analyse recent developments in FinTech and its impact in transforming the finance industry.
- ULO5: Discover the risks arising from FinTech and understand the dynamics between the innovations and regulations.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within-session-assessment on iLearn within 20 days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment tasks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
Late submissions and extensions
Tasks 10% or less – No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
Tasks above 10% - No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
| Required Text | No prescribed textbook is required. The unit will utilize various library resources, including research papers, book chapters, case studies, etc. All materials will be provided via iLearn or during the lecture. |
| Recommended Readings | We will supplement the lecture materials with readings from journals and other textbooks. A list of relevant material will be provided via iLearn. |
| Technology Used and Required | Necessary technology: Computer with MS Excel and Word, scientific or business calculator and internet access. |
| Delivery Format | Classes are 3-hour seminars. For lecture time and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2020/.We will spend class time working through the topic questions, discussing them and preparing responses. In addition, we may use video, games and case studies to enhance understanding of certain topic areas. Attendance at classes is expected. |
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
|
Teaching Weeks |
Topics |
|
1 |
Introduction of FinTech: History and Today |
|
2 |
Digital Transformation |
|
3 |
Raising Money with Alternatives: Peer-to-Peer Lending and Crowdfunding |
|
4 |
Blockchain-A Disruptive Technology: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies |
|
5 |
Blockchain-A Disruptive Technology: Beyond Coins |
|
6 |
Machine Learning: from ' Traditional' to 'Deep' |
| 7 | Good Friday No Class |
|
8 |
Big Data: Harnessing Data with Artificial Intelligence |
|
9 |
InsurTech and PropTech: Financial Innovations in Insurance and Real Estate |
|
10 |
Financial Inclusion with Innovations |
|
11 |
FinTech: Possible Improvements in Financial Behaviours |
|
12 |
Issues of FinTech: Risks and Regulations |
|
13 |
FinTech: The Future Revision |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Supplementary exams
Information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available at: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/disruption_to_studies
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08/02/2020 | Changes to unit schedule |