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Study information

Fundamentals of Financial Technology

Module titleFundamentals of Financial Technology
Module codeBEEM061
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Jack Rogers (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Module description

This module provides a foundational, inter-disciplinary core for the cutting edge Exeter MSc FinTech programme. What exactly are the main disruptions Financial Technology is bringing? What is money, where does Bitcoin fit into its history, and how is it likely to change the Financial landscape? How are blockchain, AI, robo-advisory and many other technological innovations likely to continue automating financial services, reducing risks and human errors, and providing more accurate information and predictions? These questions will be answered, with input from a selection of real industry practitioners. On completion of this module, you will be confident in your ability to explain current and future trends in FinTech. No prior experience of programming will be expected while you are also introduced to practical programming in useful languages like Python.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will introduce you to a new taxonomy of disruptive innovations that are reshaping financial services. You will examine how bitcoin, and hence all blockchain and smart contract applications work, which together with big data techniques and AI are utilised in FinTech. The theory behind how these systems work will be applied to real examples, allowing you as a potential entrepreneur to create your own specialised applications. By the end of this module you will understand how, why, and when banks, financial institutions and other firms can benefit from using these technologies as a way of making payments more efficient, improving user experience, tokenising assets and setting up secure smart contracts. You will also have a basic practical understanding of how to code in HTML, javascript and Python.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. examine case study approaches to how FinTech businesses work;
  • 2. critically review and discuss a range of academic and non-academic papers reflecting on FinTech.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. analyse the techniques employed in FinTech.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills;
  • 5. demonstrate digital literacy and basic programming skills.

Syllabus plan

  • Overview of FinTech
  • History of money, bitcoin, and blockchain
  • Big Data, AI & Machine Learning
  • Basic Programming

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
161230

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity1111 x 1 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity55 x 1 hour tutorials
Guided Independent Study123Reading, question practice, and tutorial preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Participation in Group WorkSeminars and 20 minute report back1-5In-Class Verbal Feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
80200

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Mid Term Exam2050 minutes5Verbal feedback & indicative answers
Assignment 802500 words1-4Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Mid Term Exam (20%)Exam (50 minutes, 20%)5Referral/Deferral Period
Assignment (80%)Assignment (2,500 words, 80%)1-4Referral/Deferral Period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Gupta, P & Tham, T.M. (2018). FinTech: The New DNA of Financial Services. Walter de Gruyter Inc, Boston/Berlin.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Key words search

FinTech, Bitcoin, Blockchain, Big Data, Machine Learning, AI

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

20/08/2020

Last revision date

20/09/2022