Students

AFIN2060 – FinTech Foundations and Applications

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Cynthia Cai
cynthia.cai@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above
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: Work productively in a group to 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.

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 11.59 pm. 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 apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Skills development: FinTech in practice 20% No Week 5, Week 8
Professional practice: Business report 40% No Week 11
Formal and observed learning: Exam 40% No Exam Period

Skills development: FinTech in practice

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 5, Week 8
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to apply your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit.

You will undertake two quizzes. Feedback on your performance will help you assess your progress through the unit content.

Skills in focus: - Critical thinking - Discipline knowledge - Problem solving

Deliverable: Two quizzes Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify fundamental economic and psychological issues in the current financial system.
  • Explore fundamental techniques in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence
  • Work productively in a group to evaluate how major advances in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence are applicable to finance problems.

Professional practice: Business report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for students to gain expertise in applications of FinTech.   You will work in teams to conduct an analysis and produce a business report.   Skills in focus: - Collaboration - Communication - Critical Thinking   Deliverable: Business report and presentation Individual and Group assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify fundamental economic and psychological issues in the current financial system.
  • Explore fundamental techniques in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence
  • Work productively in a group to evaluate how major advances in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence are applicable to finance problems.
  • Analyse recent developments in FinTech and its impact in transforming the finance industry.
  • Discover the risks arising from FinTech and understand the dynamics between the innovations and regulations.

Formal and observed learning: Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.

You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips.

Deliverable: Formal exam Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify fundamental economic and psychological issues in the current financial system.
  • Explore fundamental techniques in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence
  • Analyse recent developments in FinTech and its impact in transforming the finance industry.
  • Discover the risks arising from FinTech and understand the dynamics between the innovations and regulations.

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

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.

Unit Schedule

Teaching Weeks

Topics

1

Introduction of FinTech: History and Today

2

Digital Transformation

3

Raising Money with Alternatives

4

Payment Innovations

5

Blockchain-A Disruptive Technology: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies

6

Blockchain-A Disruptive Technology: Beyond Coins

7

Blockchain-A Disruptive Technology: Value and Investment  

8

Machine Learning: from ' Traditional' to 'Deep'

9

Big Data: Harnessing Data with Artificial Intelligence

10

Issues of FinTech: Risks and Regulations

11

FinTech: Possible Improvements in Financial Behaviors

12

FinTech: Social and Environmental Impacts

13

Revision

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:

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.

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:

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
07/02/2025 Update staff contacts.

Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook