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Cryptocurrencies & decentralised ledgers (COMP90088)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
| Fees | Look up fees |
|---|
AIMS: Cryptocurrencies enable the transfer of value entirely digitally between users, protected solely by cryptography. Modern cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, rely on a public distributed ledger (also called a blockchain) to record who owns what. This subject introduces students to the theoretical foundations of cryptocurrencies from cryptography and distributed systems, as well as practical skills for programming applications which interact with decentralised ledgers.
INDICATIVE CONTENT:
The subject will be composed of core topics from cryptocurrencies and distributed lectures and will be drawn from a list including:
- Digital signatures
- Authenticated data structures
- Zero-knowledge proofs
- Decentralised consensus protocols
- Smart contract programming.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Analyse the use of digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs and authenticated data structures in the context of cryptocurrency transaction layers
- Assess the efficiency and security properties of different approaches to decentralised consensus
- Design and optimise adversarial strategies for consensus protocol participants in various models
- Implement and deploy decentralised applications (smart contracts) using application-specific programming languages (e.g. Solidity)
- Measure performance and scalability constraints in different cryptocurrency designs and evaluate their impact on real-world applications including ecological and social tradeoffs of designs.
Generic skills
- An ability to synthesise information and communicate results effectively
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a project team
- In-depth critical and independent thinking and reflection skills
- An ability to solve problems and communicate solutions both orally and in writing
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP90041 | Programming and Software Development |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP10001 | Foundations of Computing |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP10002 | Foundations of Algorithms |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP20005 | Intro. to Numerical Computation in C |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP20003 | Algorithms and Data Structures | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP20007 | Design of Algorithms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90059 | Introduction to Programming |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Or equivalent subject in computer programming
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
4 written take-home problem sets. 12-16 hours (6-8 hours each). 20% (5% each). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2, 3 are addressed in this assessment.
| Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12 | 20% |
2 programming projects (likely one each in Java, Solidity). 35-45 hours (15-20 hours each). 20% (10% each). ILOs 3, 4, 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 6, Week 11 | 20% |
Group research project on topic of student's choosing with short presentations, 2-3 students per group. 40 hours per student. ILOs 1, 2, 3 are addressed in this assessment.
| First week of examination period | 20% |
Written final exam, with similar problems to those on problem sets (40%) (2 hour duration). ILOs 1, 2, 3 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
36 hours, comprising 2 hours of lectures per week (24 hours total) and 1 hour of tutorial per week (12 hours total)
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Information Technology Course Master of Computer Science Course Master of Information Systems - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 30 January 2024