[Sessional Lecturer] Blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies – APS1050

Date Posted: 03/26/2024

Req ID: 36674

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Department: APSC: Ofc of the Dean – Faculty General

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

Position: Sessional Lecturer I (2 position available)

Course title and code: Blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies – APS1050

Course description: A recent feature article at the Harvard Business Review points out that the emergence of Bitcoin and similar Blockchain technologies is a foundational change so profound that it can only be compared to the adoption of TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol), the rule system and associated software that enabled the technology of distributed computer networking and laid the groundwork for the development of the internet.

Like TCP/IP, Blockchain technologies could generate a complete new internet, with new associated business models. A tamper proof shared automatic ledger allows companies to equalize internal and external costs, reducing the advantages of scale for established heavy weights and benefiting broad alliances of smaller players. Smart contracts that automatically validate or trigger ledger transactions have the potential to entirely transform the organization and management of businesses, with special impact in contract negotiation and enforcement, accounting, sales and marketing, and capital investment.

Bitcoin is a particular implementation of Blockchain technology that has led to a disruptive “product”: a digital cryptocurrency that has the potential to compete with fiat currencies. Bitcoin has risen in value from just $0.05 in mid-2010 to over $11,380 by January 2018, and is being widely used for real estate transactions in Japan, where it is recognized as legal tender, and in the emerging markets to the point of posing a challenge to regulators and central banks across the world. Bitcoin’s popularity has prompted the development of competing cryptocurrencies, and the emergence of a symbiotic community of legitimate and grey market entrepreneurs. Although hackers have exploited security gaps in service providers such as the bitcoin exchanges Mt. Gox (Bitcoin) and more recently, Coincheck (NEM), with spectacular success, the fact that Blockchain itself has never been hacked seems to justify the optimism of Bitcoin’s investors. 

1. Acquire a concrete understanding of Blockchain technologies through the installation, operation and modification (by coding changes or the addition of pseudocode) of a simplified Blockchain program in each student’s computer.

2. Become acquainted with the history and typology of Blockchain technologies: the landscape of cryptocurrencies and hyper currencies

3. Develop and apply a set of selection criteria for the evaluation of Blockchain strengths, weaknesses and risks with respect to: networked integrity, distributed power, value as incentive, security, privacy, rights preserved and inclusion

4. Trace a likely path for the adoption of Blockchain technologies– beginning with the identification of processes where Blockchain ledgers lead to efficiencies, to the emergence of new business models and ending with the need for constraints/regulation.

5. Learn to setup, operate and trade a Bitcoin account safely.

This course will enable students to:

1. Acquire a concrete understanding of Blockchain technologies through the installation, operation and modification (by coding changes or the addition of pseudocode) of a simplified Blockchain program in each student’s computer.

2. Become acquainted with the history and typology of Blockchain technologies: the landscape of cryptocurrencies and hyper currencies

3. Develop and apply a set of selection criteria for the evaluation of Blockchain strengths, weaknesses and risks with respect to: networked integrity, distributed power, value as incentive, security, privacy, rights preserved and inclusion

4. Trace a likely path for the adoption of Blockchain technologies– beginning with the identification of processes where Blockchain ledgers lead to efficiencies, to the emergence of new business models and ending with the need for constraints/regulation.

5. Learn to setup, operate and trade a Bitcoin account safely.

Course Structure and Content

Cryptocurrencies and other Blockchain Technologies is divided into four themes and 12 modules:

• The first theme is: Economics of Cryptocurrencies
• The second theme is: Bitcoin Technology
• The third theme is: Blockchain Disintermediation & New Business Models
• The fourth theme is: Owning and Trading Bitcoin

Estimated Enrolment: Approximately 50-80 students

Estimated TA support: TBA

Class schedule: One 3-hour lecture per week.

Sessional date of appointment: Summer May-August 2024

Salary: Minimum level of pay is $4,728.94 each (50% of Sessional Lecturer I as co-instructor), which includes vacation pay, and may increase depending on applicant’s level of experience and suitability for the position.

Qualifications: Expertise in Blockchain programming, financial modeling, economics of cryptocurrencies and trading.

Experience as instructor at the undergraduate or graduate level as well as the ability to effectively communicate and explain concepts clearly. Applicants should have a strong record of presenting lectures. The applicant must be able to lecture in a clear voice.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

Brief description of duties: Duties include: preparation of lectures and course materials for delivery; delivery of lectures; possible supervision of Teaching Assistants; setting and marking of projects, tests and exams; evaluation of final grades; contact with students.

To indicate interest in this position, please complete the CUPE UNIT 3 application form, downloaded from:

https://gradstudies.engineering.utoronto.ca/files/2022/08/UNIT-3-Application-Form.pdf and submit to [email protected]

Office of the Vice Dean Graduate Studies, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto

44 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2E4, Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 04/07/2024, 11:59PM EDT

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. 

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail. 

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

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