Program Overview

Course Overview

The course BUSA3007 - Data Governance Using Blockchain for Business aims to provide a conceptual understanding of the function of Blockchains as a data governance method and how the new applications that they enable for businesses.

Course Description

Blockchain is considered a ledger system that assists in governing business data through time-stamped blocks that works mainly in a decentralised manner. For businesses, blockchain applications enable fundamental changes across different sectors, including fintech, government, health and supply chain, specifically for its potential benefits which include reduction in costs and complexity of transactions data between parties, enhanced security, improved transparency and regulation.

Course Content

Topics will include:

• Business data governance and Blockchain technologies for real world data solutions.
• Underlying data governance elements and technologies of transactions, blocks, proof-of-work, and consensus building
• How does Blockchain exist in the public domain (decentralised, distributed) yet maintain data transparency, privacy, anonymity, security, and immutability.
• Exploring the use of Blockchain in government and commercial sectors
• The Blockchain methods for applications other than cryptocurrency.

Enrolment Requirements

It is assumed that students enrolling for this course have completed BUSA1001, BUSA2001 and BUSA3002.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the main concepts of Blockchain for business data governance.
2. Examine how Blockchain works for data governance and the elements and technologies of transactions, blocks, proof-of-work, and consensus building.
3. Identify key issues of data governance and assess how Blockchain exists in the public domain in decentralised manner
4. Critically evaluate Blockchain applications in different sectors

Availability

The course is available in Semester 1, with the following details:

• Location: Newcastle City Precinct
• Delivery mode: Blended Learning

Contact Hours

Students are expected to complete 4 hours of guided learning via online preparation, lectures, interactive workshops, tutorials, discussion groups or self-directed learning and an additional 6 hours of independent study per week.

• Duration: 2 hour(s) per week
• Number of sessions: 12 week(s)
• Starting week: 1
• Delivery mode: Face to Face On Campus

Assessments

The course includes the following assessments:

Mid-Term Quiz

• Type: Quiz
• Description: A supervised class-test activity, which is a closed book assessment.
• Weighting (%): 20
• Formative or Summative: Summative
• Individual or group work: Individual

Case Study Analysis for Application Design

• Type: Case Study / Problem Based Learning
• Description: Students will be appointed to groups to apply an understanding of Blockchain applications for data governance to analyse an existing case study for process improvement and optimisation.
• Weighting (%): 30
• Formative or Summative: Summative
• Individual or group work: Group

Final Examination

• Type: Formal Examination
• Description: The final examination will consist of short-answer and problem-solving case study questions relevant to the entire coverage from weeks 1 to 12.
• Weighting (%): 50
• Formative or Summative: Summative
• Individual or group work: Individual

Course Details

• Study level: Undergraduate
• Course level: 3000-level
• Units: 10
• College: College of Human and Social Futures
• School: Newcastle Business School
• Search keywords: Blockchain