Blockchain Micro-certificate

Course 1: Blockchain Essentials

Course 2: Planning and Leading Blockchain Projects

The UBC Micro-certificate in Blockchain Innovation and Implementation aims to not only make blockchain accessible and clear, but to equip you with the skills and tools to identify, assess and lead blockchain initiatives.

Through this program, you will:

• be introduced to a large number of blockchain use cases across industries
• gain a foundational understanding of blockchain, and its strengths and limitations
• understand the current state of how blockchain is being applied today to create business value, and connect the dots across the vast blockchain world
• be able to explain blockchain principles, use cases, and opportunities and barriers to others in plain English
• come away with frameworks to analyze, evaluate and critique blockchain solutions, whether it’s cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DeFi, supply chain, identity and many others
• gain a toolkit to lead the design, build, implementation and scaling of blockchain solutions
• tap into expert insights into leading blockchain innovations and implementations to realize business and social value
• work with a team to design a blockchain solution, and gain feedback from industry and academic experts and your peers.

You also have the opportunity to create a supportive network of peers for knowledge exchange and information sharing. An end-of-program industry networking event gives you a chance to meet guest experts working with blockchain technology, including entrepreneurs, consultants and professionals in established companies.

This program is designed for:

• leaders and professionals interested in adopting and implementing blockchain, including product owners, product managers, project managers, information experts, business analysts, and marketing and communications experts
• executives who need to evaluate and make decisions on blockchain initiatives
• technology professionals who need a holistic business perspective of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.

Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business or computer and technology students can also benefit from the skills taught in this program. Please note that this is not a coding program. Instead, you’ll come away with a toolkit to analyze and evaluate blockchain solutions for your business or organization.

A technical skillset is not expected nor required for this program. Familiarity with management information systems, business applications, the Internet of Things or general technology topics can benefit your studies, however. 

The program offers two delivery options: fully online or partially online combined with UBC’s 2-week in-person Blockchain Summer Institute

Fully Online:

This part-time 100% online program is instructor-supported and combines self-paced independent study with live and interactive classes, making it ideal for working professionals.

Each course includes:

• videos that explain concepts and frameworks using real-world examples
• exclusive podcast interviews with leading industry and academic experts. Guests include founders of start-ups, leaders from established organizations, advisors and consultants, and academic experts at the frontier of blockchain research and applications
• interactive discussion forums
• a collaborative wiki (an open web page) where you can access and post resources.

Live online classes are held on six Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm Pacific Time. Additional live online class time might also be scheduled during the design challenge group project in the final week of the program. Students are strongly encouraged to attend every live class.

Register for the next session

Partially Online Combined with the Blockchain Summer Institute:

This part-time partially in-person, partially online program is instructor-supported and combines self-paced independent study with live and interactive classes held during UBC’s 2-week in-person Blockchain Summer Institute, making it ideal for those who prefer in-person learning and networking and a shorter course duration.

This offering of the micro-credential includes live in-person classes held over a two week period, customarily in July. Participants also have the opportunity to participate in an in-person design challenge – the “Blockathon for Social Good” – a group project in the final week of the Summer Institute. Students are strongly encouraged to attend every live class.

In addition, each course includes:

• videos that explain concepts and frameworks using real-world examples
• exclusive podcast interviews with leading industry and academic experts. Guests include founders of start-ups, leaders from established organizations, advisors and consultants, and academic experts at the frontier of blockchain research and applications
• interactive discussion forums
• a collaborative wiki (an open web page) where you can access and post resources.

Fully Online:

Expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours a week to complete all learning activities, including attending instructor-led classes. In the last week of the program, plan to spend 12 hours preparing and presenting the design challenge group project, for a total of 55 hours of learning.

Partially Online Combined with the Blockchain Summer Institute:

Expect to spend 5-7 hours per day to attend all live sessions and complete all learning activities.  In the last week of the program, plan to spend 12 hours preparing and presenting the design challenge group project, for a total of 55 hours of learning. 

To take this program, you’ll need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet using Windows or Mac OS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone (online version only)

Fully Online:

The program consists of two online courses taught over eight weeks, with a one-week break in between courses. Combined, the courses take approximately 55 hours to complete. Please note that coding is not covered in this program. 

Blockchain Essentials is four weeks long and provides a fundamental, holistic understanding of blockchain technology and its applications in a wide range of industries and verticals.

Planning and Leading Blockchain Projects is four weeks and provides a toolkit and frameworks to lead and scale blockchain initiatives. The course includes:

• Four weeks of online classes
• A capstone design challenge in which you work in teams to design and present an original blockchain solution to a societal challenge
• A two-hour industry networking event

Important Note

• You can take Blockchain Essentials on its own, however the curriculum and content of both courses complement one another, and are integrated over the eight weeks. Blockchain Essentials is a prerequisite to Planning and Leading Blockchain Projects.

Partially Online Combined with the Blockchain Summer Institute:

This program consists of in-person classes held over a two week period. Participants also participate in an in-person design challenge – the “Blockathon for Social Good” – a group project in the final week of the Summer Institute. Combined the sessions take approximately 55 hours to complete. Following the Blockchain Summer Institute, students will be able to access the course content for the two fully online courses to consolidate and deepen their in-person learning. Some coding may be covered during the Summer institute portion of this program, however coding expertise is not required. 

Important Note

Transport, accommodation, and meals are not included for in-person portion of this program held during the Blockchain Summer institute. Students must make their own arrangements.

There’s a one-week break in between the first and second course.

You’re assessed on your participation and ability to demonstrate that you have achieved course outcomes and competencies by completing weekly activities, participating in the discussion posts and your group design challenge presentation, and providing feedback on other groups’ blockchain solutions. You’re also strongly encouraged to attend the live online classes.

For the online session, our instructors are consultants and academic researchers with industry expertise and experience.

 

Victoria Lemieux

Professor

UBC iSchool: School of Information

I am a professor of archival science at the iSchool and lead of the Blockchain research cluster, Blockchain@UBC at the University of British Columbia – Canada’s largest and most diverse research cluster devoted to blockchain technology. My current research is focused on risk to the availability of trustworthy records, in particular in blockchain record keeping systems, and how these risks impact upon transparency, financial stability, public accountability and human rights. I have organized two summer institutes for Blockchain@UBC to provide training in blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for undergraduate and graduate students from across UBC.

I hold a doctorate from University College London (Archival Studies, 2002), and have been a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2005. I have received many awards for my professional work and research, including the 2015 Emmett Leahy Award for outstanding contributions to the field of records management, a 2015 World Bank Big Data Innovation Award, and a 2016 Emerald Literati Award for my research on blockchain technology. I am also a faculty associate at multiple units within UBC, including the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, Sauder School of Business, and the Institute for Computers, Information and Cognitive Systems.

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Jarrett Vaughan

Adjunct Professor

Sauder School of Business

Jarrett is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, where he teaches courses on cryptocurrency, NFTs, blockchain technology, and marketing. His teaching approach emphasizes a strong educational foundation, blending theory with real-world applications.

Before entering the Web3 space, Jarrett spent a decade in luxury hotel management, most recently with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. In 2006, he founded a real estate investment company, which he continues to own and operate.

His journey into Web3 began in 2017 when he started investing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This experience led him to become an educator and speaker on NFTs, crypto, and blockchain. He also launched an NFT project for social good, inspired by artwork created by his seven-year-old daughter while she was recovering from her 16th surgery.

Jarrett is also the host of The Web3 Prof Podcast, where he interviews leading voices in the space, including Jameson Lopp, Jeff Booth, and @0xMert_.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Jarrett is a devoted husband and father of three. He is a musician, an urban farmer, and an advocate for children with disabilities. Passionate about self-sovereignty, he spends his free time tending to his honeybees, chickens, and garden, chopping firewood from fallen trees, and crafting furniture from reclaimed wood. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors—always in pursuit of greater sovereignty over food, home heating, and sustainable living.

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All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change.