Students
MMBA8116 – Payments, Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain
2024 – Term 2, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Adjunct Professor
John-Paul Monck
Contact via Email
222, Level 2, 4ER
By Appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or GradCertDigFin or MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The development of Cryptocurrencies, using the fundamentals of cryptography and blockchain, is predicted to have significant impact on banks, financial institutions, governments, economies and business in general. The decentralization of payment networks and the establishment of an ecosystem of various stakeholders results in various benefits and challenges that will influence their adoption and diffusion in the marketplace. This unit examines cryptocurrencies and blockchain and their emergence and role in financial markets. This unit discuss the technical underpinnings of blockchain and key concepts such as decentralization and consensus algorithms. Students will learn how these new financial instruments and technologies are disrupting traditional ways of doing business. |
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: Understand the fundamentals of blockchain and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical crypto-currency concepts and their applications.
- ULO2: Critically evaluate the practical use of cryptocurrencies from a social and economic perspective with regard to regulatory frameworks that govern adoption and use.
- ULO3: Apply different financial instruments and technology infrastructures including digital currencies and blockchain to the operation of financial markets.
- ULO4: Compare and contrast how these new instruments and technologies are applied in industry to disrupt traditional ways of doing business.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Eamination | 50% | No | Examination Period |
| Assignment 1 | 25% | No | Week 4 |
| Assignment 2 | 25% | No | Week 8 |
Final Eamination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
A two hour exam will be held during University Examination Period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of blockchain and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical crypto-currency concepts and their applications.
- Critically evaluate the practical use of cryptocurrencies from a social and economic perspective with regard to regulatory frameworks that govern adoption and use.
- Apply different financial instruments and technology infrastructures including digital currencies and blockchain to the operation of financial markets.
- Compare and contrast how these new instruments and technologies are applied in industry to disrupt traditional ways of doing business.
Assignment 1
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 25%
The assignment will cover quantitative and/or qualitative analysis and students will be required to produce a report regarding their find(s). The report should not exceed 1,500 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of blockchain and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical crypto-currency concepts and their applications.
- Critically evaluate the practical use of cryptocurrencies from a social and economic perspective with regard to regulatory frameworks that govern adoption and use.
- Apply different financial instruments and technology infrastructures including digital currencies and blockchain to the operation of financial markets.
- Compare and contrast how these new instruments and technologies are applied in industry to disrupt traditional ways of doing business.
Assignment 2
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%
Students will conduct a quantitative analysis / financial modelling project and present their solutions and outcomes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the practical use of cryptocurrencies from a social and economic perspective with regard to regulatory frameworks that govern adoption and use.
- Apply different financial instruments and technology infrastructures including digital currencies and blockchain to the operation of financial markets.
- Compare and contrast how these new instruments and technologies are applied in industry to disrupt traditional ways of doing business.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Detailed within the Unit iLearn page.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2024.05 of the Handbook