Blockchain Studies (BSTUD) Department

edu@althash.university

Announcements

See Syllabus Program starts on TBA, 2022 at 10 AM Chicago Time

Program Description

  • Learners who wish to get a foundational understanding of the blockchain ecosystem and associated disciplines may benefit from this course. Its goal is to put current theory and best practice in the blockchain field to the ultimate test.

  • This is a nanodegree program offered by the College of Continuing and Professional Studies; for additional information, please see the syllabus. To be eligible for a nanodegree, students must complete a total of 80 percent of the coursework requirements, which is determined by their academic achievement. The cumulative passing score for the program is 80 percent.

  • Blockchain technology is a distributed database that may be used to store sensitive information in a safe manner. Because of the decentralized nature of blockchain, it provides tamper-proofing and data integrity, making it a desirable alternative for keeping sensitive information like medical records. The absence of a middleman also makes transactions more efficient and cost effective than traditional techniques. In addition to being safe, transparent, and efficient, blockchain technology is also a novel and inventive method of storing and exchanging data. It has the potential to transform a wide range of industries, including banking, healthcare, and supply chain management, among others. It is critical for students to obtain a fundamental grasp of blockchain technology, including how it works and the possible uses for it, as the technology's popularity continues to soar. A blockchain is not a single technology, but rather a constantly developing collection of technologies, protocols, and standards that are referred to as the "chain" collectively. When referring to various technologies and standards, the term blockchain can refer to any individual instance (or combination of instances) of them.


Learning Objectives

  • Learn the fundamental principles underlying blockchain technology.

  • Understand how blockchain technology works and its potential applications

  • Identify the key challenges and opportunities associated with this new technology

  • Determine which emerging blockchain platforms are best suited for their specific needs

  • Evaluate the potential risks and benefits associated with this rapidly evolving field

  • Assess the level of regulatory uncertainty that blockchain technology will bring

  • Develop an understanding of the key economic and social issues that will be raised by blockchain

  • Understand how to manage their own intellectual property rights in this rapidly evolving field

  • Identify how blockchain technology could help solve some of the most significant problems facing their industry


Ladderized Curriculum

  • This program's coursework is structured in such a way that students can advance to the next level once they have mastered the topic at their current level of knowledge. It benefits students by allowing them to progress at their own pace and by instilling a sense of accomplishment as they climb the educational ladder. There are several advantages to implementing this method with students. To begin, it enables students to focus on a particular action at a time, which enables them to develop a stronger comprehension and mastery of the subject matter. The second benefit is that students get a sense of accomplishment as they progress through the curriculum. Additionally, it helps pupils prepare for future education and professions by regularly exposing them to increasingly difficult topics.

  • In a typical curriculum, students are frequently asked to master difficult material before they have had a chance to establish a firm foundation in the fundamentals of the subject. Using a laddered curriculum, students may build on their fundamental understanding before progressing to more complicated content. This can assist students in comprehending complicated topics more readily and in improving their academic achievement as a result of the experience.

  • A ladderized curriculum is a terrific approach to guarantee that students are getting the most out of their education while also keeping costs down. For more information about ladderized curriculum, see here.


Microcredential

  • As is the case with the majority of programs at Althash University, the curriculum is credential-based. This implies that upon completion of each course or lecture unit, students will obtain a microcredential. Microcredentials are often referred to as badges at other educational institutions. They enable learners to demonstrate their abilities and accomplishments online. The learning routes are comprised of a set of badges that may be achieved in any order or concurrently. They enable students to create a customized learning path that is tailored to their own requirements and interests. Microcredentials are gaining popularity as an alternative to standard degrees and certifications among both students and businesses.

  • Microcredentials are rapidly gaining traction in higher education, since they enable students to acquire new skills and knowledge in a specialized field without committing to a complete degree program.

  • Microcredentials have the advantage of being done at your own speed, which makes them an attractive alternative for students who wish to continue working while pursuing their education. For more information about microcredential-based curriculum, see here.


Certificates & Timeline

  • This program award deserving students who completed all the academic requirements with a nanodegree, Collegiate of Science, CSc. The program awards 2 certificates and 1 nanodegree purposely developed to gauge the competency skills of the learner.

  • Certificate of Satisfactory Competence

Week 1 & 2- No-Prerequisite, complete all Certificate of Attendance courses.

  • Certificate of Outstanding Competence

Week 3 & 4 - Complete all Certificate of Completion foundation courses, except the capstone.

  • Collegiate of Science (CSc)

Week 5 & 6 - Complete Collegiate of Science in Blockchain Studies by defending BLKN 499 Capstone Project


Program Name

  • Collegiate of Science in Blockchain Studies or CSC Blockchain Studies


Program Abbreviation

  • BSTUD


Program Type

  • Nanodegree, see here 1 & 2.


Title

  • CSc or CSC


Usage & Style

  • This title could be appended to the end of a student's name to indicate their area of specialization.

  • John Dowe, CSc.


Course Code

  • Code: BLKN


Credit

  • 4 Semester Credit Hours (SCH)

  • Approximately 40 to 45 sessions

  • 120 Clock Hours


Location

  • Online or Hybrid


General Requirements

  • Highschool Diploma or higher


Length of Program

  • 6 to 8 weeks


Core Course Requirements

  • Complete all courses in the area of specialization (40 to 45 lectures/sessions).

Schedule here:

Program Details


Area of Specializations

BLKN 194 Independent Research in Blockchain Technology - Boncales

BLKN 300 Blockchain Technology & Innovation - Cogan

BLKN 205 Blockchain Theory & Practice - Aragonez

BLKN 311 / DAPP 311 Blockchain-Enabled Electronic Health Records

BLKN 215 Applied Cryptography: Private & Public Keys and Digital Signature - Sylvester

BLKN 216 Applied Cryptography: Hash Functions - Sylvester

BLKN 218 Blockchain Anatomy, Nodes, & Networks - Haider

BLKN 320 Consensus Mechanisms - Prado

BLKN 232 Interoperability - Sylvester

BLKN 334 Wallet Safety and Security - Prado

BLKN 420 Decentralized Model and Consensus Mining - Cogan

BLKN 340 Diversity and Inclusion in the Technology Industry - Francis

BLKN 342 Impostor Syndrome in Blockchain Technology - Francis

BLKN 336 Scalability and Other Challenges - Sylvester

BLKN 344 / DAPP 312 Enterprise Blockchain - Brandon

BLKN / PROG 346 Repository Systems - Drake

BLKN / PROG 348 - Blockchain Architecture - Haider

BLKN / PROG 350 - Althash Blockchain - Sylvester

BLKN / PROG 352 Ethereum Blockchain - Sylvester

BLKN 354 Blockchain Leadership & Management - Chirag

BLKN 480 Issues & Trends in Blockchain Technology - Aragonez

BLKN 490B Special Topic: Cryptographic Hash Functions - Johannes

BLKN 490C Special Topic: Private & Public Keys and Digital Signature - Johannes

BLKN 492 Directed Research in Blockchain Studies - Program Coordinator 8

BLKN 495 Blockchain Profession - Boncales

BLKN / COMD 310 Tribalism in Blockchain & Cryptocurrency - Boncales

BLKN 356 Self-Sovereign Identity - Chirag

BLKN 492 Directed Research in Blockchain Studies - PROGRAM COORDINATOR 10

BLKN 499 Capstone Presentation & Defense - Faculty & Program Coordinator


Cognates

HEAL 308 Self-Care and Well-Being in the Digital Age - Francis

PROG 100 Introduction to Smart Contract (LEC) - Sylvester

CRPT 200 Introduction to Cryptocurrency - Hoffmann

CRPT 305 Currencies, Tokens, and Stablecoins - Azim / Barrenechea

PROG 358 Introduction to Hyperledger Fabric - Chirag