Module Details

Module Code: COMP9072
Title: Distributed Ledger Technology
Long Title: Distributed Ledger Technology
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 5 programme(s)
Module Description: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is used for processing, validating and authenticating transaction records over several computers in the absence of trusted third-party. The aim of this module is to provide an overview on DLT, its architecture, applications, historical development and implementation blockchain and future research directions. Furthermore, this module will provide students with the skills to analyse and evaluate distributed ledger consensus algorithms for use across different applications.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Critically discuss the application and use of distributed ledger technology and its implementation blockchain.
LO2 Analyse and evaluate distributed ledger consensus algorithms for use across different applications.
LO3 Design an appropriate distributed ledger architecture for an specified application.
LO4 Implement the distributed ledger application and assess its security and performance.
LO5 Evaluate future research directions across a range of emerging application areas for distributed ledger technology.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
Basic knowledge of programming is required.
 
Indicative Content
Distributed Ledger Technology & its applications
Historical development of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and Blockchain, fundamentals of DLT and blockchain, working principles and features. Applications of DLT and Blockchain: DLT and Blockchain to protect personal data, Farming, Supply chain management, Manufacturing Plant Asset Management, Internet of Things, Transportation, Government, Energy, Digital Currency (Biocoin etc), Financial transactions, Smart cities, Smart Homes.
Consensus Algorithms, Mining, and Block Validation
Consensus Algorithms (Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoF), Ripple), Comparison of different Mining techniques, Block validation, transaction generation and validation.
Distributed Ledger Architectures
Types of Blockchain (Public, Private, Consortium), Comparison of different blockchain systems (Hyperledger, Ethereum, Bitcoin, IOTA), Smart Contracts. Blockchain for cloud infrastructure, edge computing, integration of blockchain and edge computing (network, storage, and computation functions).
Design & Implementation of DLT
Evaluation Methods, Testbeds, and Simulation Tools Available for DLT and Blockchain. Open source implementations of blockchain such as Hyperledger and Openchain.
Security & Privacy Issues
Challenges related with security and privacy in DLT and blockchain technology, public key cryptograpy in DLT and blockchain, security issues with bitcoin, attacks targeting bitcoin networks and bitcoin wallets, blockchain based security services. Network layer of permissionless blockchain, its requirements, and design space, network based attacks, adversary models.
Future Research Directions
Future research directions related with implementation of DLT and blockchain technology in different emerging application areas.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,5
Assessment Description
In this project, students are required to work on a given topic about distributed ledger technology, critically analyze it, and also discuss future research directions based upon state-of-the-art work.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 60
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
In this project, students are expected to employ distributed ledger technology in an application area and implement it using open source programming language. The students may also be required to critically assess the performance and security challenges that exist in the designed distributed ledger technology network.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture underpinning learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab to support content delivered. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent student learning. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture underpinning learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab to support content delivered. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent student learning. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • F. Richard Yu. (2019), Blockchain Technology and Applications - From Theory to Practice, 1st. Kindle Direct Publishing, [ISBN: 9781729142592].
  • Xiwei Xu, Ingo Weber, Mark Staples. (2019), Architecture for Blockchain Applications, 1st. Springer, [ISBN: 9783030030346].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Michele Finck. (2018), Blockchain Regulation and Governance in Europe, 1st. Cambridge University Press, UK, [ISBN: 9781108465458].
  • Aljosha Judmayer; Nicholas Stifter; Katharina Krombholz; Edgar Weippl; Elisa Bertino; Ravi Sandhu. (2017), Blocks and Chains: Introduction to Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, and Their Consensus Mechanisms, 1st. Morgan & Claypool, [ISBN: 9781627057134].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Muhammad Salek Ali, Massimo Vecchio, Miguel Rodrigo Pincheira-Caro, Koustabh Dolui, Fabio Antonelli and Mubashir Husain Rehmani. Applications of Blockchains in the Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Survey, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, in Print, 2019,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/858 0364
  • Muneeb Ul Hassan, Mubashir Husain Rehmani, and Jinjun Chen. Privacy Preservation in Blockchain Based IoT Systems: Integration Issues, Prospects, Challenges, and Future Research Directions, Future Generation Computer Systems, Vol. 97, pp. 512-529, August 2019..
  • J. Xie, F. Richard Yu, T. Huang, R. Xie, J. Liu, C. Wang, and Y. Liu. A Survey of Blockchain Technology Applied to Smart Cities: Research Issues and Challenges, IEEE Comm. Survey and Tutorials, in Print, 2019.,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/864 2861
  • T. Salman, M. Zolanvari, A. Erbad, R. Jain and M. Samaka. Security Services Using Blockchains: A State of the Art Survey, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, in Print, 2019,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/842 8402
  • T. Neudecker and H. Hartenstein. Network Layer Aspects of Permissionless Blockchains, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 838-857, Firstquarter 2019.,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/845 6488
  • R. Yang, F. Richard Yu, P. Si, Z. Yang, and Y. Zhang. Integrated Blockchain and Edge Computing Systems: A Survey, Some Research Issues and Challenges, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, in Print, 2019.,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/862 4417
  • W. Wang, D. T. Hoang, P. Hu, Z. Xiong, D. Niyato, P. Wang, Y. Wen, and D. I. Kim. A survey on consensus mechanisms and mining strategy management in blockchain networks, IEEE Access, in Print, 2019..
  • F. Tschorsch and B. Scheuermann. Bitcoin and Beyond: A Technical Survey on Decentralized Digital Currencies, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 2084-2123, thirdquarter 2016.,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/742 3672
  • Mauro Conti, Sandeep Kumar, Chhagan Lal, Sushmita Ruj. A Survey on Security and Privacy Issues of Bitcoin, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, 20(4):3416-3452, 2018.,
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/836 9416
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KARIN_9 Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence 1 Elective
CR_KCLDC_9 Master of Science in Cloud Computing 1 Elective
CR_KCLDC_9 Master of Science in Cloud Computing 2 Elective
CR_KINSE_9 Master of Science in Cybersecurity 1 Elective
CR_KINSY_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Cybersecurity 1 Elective