UZH CAS in Blockchain

Why UZH for Blockchain Education?

The UZH CAS in Blockchain builds around the UZH Blockchain Center, the largest and most active Academic initiative in the space in Switzerland. With 22 Professors from the most diverse areas, the centre works as a single point of contact between scholars, industry and policymakers. It offers an extensive educational programme ranging from undergraduate students to industry leaders thanks to the unique combination of expertise and world-class research activities.

Based on a multidimensional analysis, in 2022, UZH was ranked first for blockchain Europe (and third worldwide) for blockchain by CoinDesk. This is following our excellent ranking in 2021 (4th worldwide, still first in Europe).

Course Goals

1. Assess the Technology

We provide a scientifically substantiated assessment of the full potential and limitations of blockchain technologies.

2. Understand the Implications

We discuss the most important economic and legal factors that determine the past evolution and current situation of blockchain-based systems.

3. Know the Trends

We not only enable an insight into state-of-the-art technologies but also identify the most important future developments in the area of blockchain.

4. Meet the Swiss Ecosystem

The programme is open and closed with Academic trips to flagship blockchain hubs in Switzerland.

Our exclusive UZH Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Blockchain offers high-quality education specially tailored for industry leaders. The course is taught by world-renowned professors across academic disciplines: Law, Informatics, Economics and Finance. This interdisciplinary approach is necessary to unveil the true potential of this emerging technology and is unique to our programme.

The current edition of the UZH CAS in Blockchain builds on four successful previous editions, since 2019, with more than one hundred alumni who positioned themselves successfully in the blockchain ecosystem or leveraged the knowledge acquired in their area of research. Its contents are yearly renovated following this rapidly varying field.

Query us early if you want to receive more information and enrol in the 2024 programme at weiterbildung@ifi.uzh.ch

Email us for the Information Evening Recording

Course Facts

Overview

Blockchain is on everyone’s lips ‒ not least because the Crypto Valley stretching from Zug to Zurich is one of the global centres for this technology. But what is the story behind the new «Internet of Value»? What can this technology already do? What are its strengths, weaknesses, risks and areas of potential?

The CAS in Blockchain at the University of Zurich looks at these questions and in doing so addresses the topic at a uniquely wide-ranging level: Computer scientists, Lawyers, Economists and Financial specialists from the University of Zurich have joined forces to teach participants the technical basics as well as provide them with legal tools and economic knowledge about the applications. In doing so, they can call on first-hand experience from academic blockchain projects, consulting activities and company start-ups.

Target audience

Professional practitioners who want to receive an in-depth insight into the various facets of blockchain technologies and gain an edge in knowledge based on relevant research findings.

Course duration

Course days: Fridays and Saturdays
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Project work: To Be Announced

Number of Participants
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Maximum of 30 participants.

Admission criteria
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The admission criteria is a University degree at the bachelor’s level as well as basic knowledge in the fields of IT, Law and Economics.

MAS in Quantitative Finance
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Participants of the MAS in Quantitative Finance can book individual modules (worth 3 ECTS points each)

Degree

Every successful graduate receives a Certificate of Advanced Studies UZH in Blockchain (10 ECTS credits)
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Venue

Center for Continuing Education of the University of Zurich

Costs

CHF 8900.-, including course documentation

Curriculum

Structure

The study programme is divided into three modules:

Blockchain Technology (3 ECTS credits)
Blockchain Business and Economics (4 ECTS credits)
Blockchain Regulation and Law (3 ECTS credits)

A total of 10 ECTS credits are required in order to successfully complete the CAS. An ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of around 30 hours. Each module is worth 3 or 4 ECTS credits. This comprises attendance time during the course days as well as preparatory and follow-up work.

Teaching language

Lessons are in English. The course documents are generally in English.

Process and Assessment

An assessment must be completed for each module.

For the first module, this takes the form of a multiple-choice test on all topics covered in the module.

For the second module, two assessments will be performed.

The third module is also assessed using a multiple-choice test as well as short essays on all topics covered in the module.

(More details about the course will be announced later)

Along with participation in Industry Talks and Lecture Series of the UZH Blockchain Centre.

A final written paper (“assignments”) on a selected topic must be completed at the end of the course. Literature research as well as case studies, evaluations and practical studies are possible. Participants opt for a topic during the course of the module following consultation with a lecturer. The work should comprise approximately 15 pages and be written in either German or English.

Course Dates
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06 September, 2024

Deadline to apply: 30 August, 2024
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Programme

The course programme is structured under the following three modules:

Contents Module 1:
Blockchain Technology

1. Introduction to Blockchain

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Burkhard Stiller

2. Blockchain Platforms and Architectures

Lecturers:
Prof. Dr Burkhard Stiller &
Prof. Dr Thomas Bocek

3. Smart Contracts

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Daniele Dell‘Aglio

Contents Module 2:
Blockchain Business & Economics

1. Enterprise Blockchains

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Gerhard Schwabe

2. Cryptocurrencies

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Thorsten Hens

3. Blockchain Cryptoeconomics and Analytics

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Claudio J. Tessone

4. Applications of Public Blockchains

Lecturers:
Dr Matthias Hafner
Dr Tobias Duschl

Contents Module 3:
Blockchain Regulation & Law

1. Token Regulation and ICOs

Lecturer:
Prof. Dr Rolf H. Weber
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2. Cryptocurrencies and Smart Contracts

Lecturers:
Dr Hans Kuhn
Kento Reutimann

3. Data Protection and Property Law

Lecturers:
Prof. Dr Cornelia Stengel
Gaspare T. Loderer

Contact us!