Blockchain@UBC is Canada’s first graduate training pathway on Blockchain and decentralized trust technologies.
The Blockchain graduate pathway is a 12-credit non-degree training program that augments existing master’s and PhD programs at UBC, including the MAS, MLIS, dual MAS/LIS and PhD programs at UBC iSchool.
Our master’s and PhD students interested in this area are able to contribute to scaling Canada’s Blockchain industry while also engaging in some of the world’s most complex socio-technical issues.
Blockchain@UBC highlights
In Canada for Blockchain education
Multidisciplinary program
Supported by industry partners from a wide range of sectors
Pathway requirements
UBC iSchool students wishing to pursue the pathway must take the following courses:
- ARST 575N/ARST 559U – Issues and Perspectives on Blockchain Technology, recommended for the summer between Y1 and Y2 of the program of study for most students
- EECE 571B – Foundations in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology, typically taken in WT1 of Y2 or Y3 of the program of study
- EECE 571 C – Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology Graduate Pro-Seminar, typically taken in WT1 of Y2 or Y3 of the program of study
- ARST 575M/LIBR 559T – Blockchain for Information Professionals, typically taken in WT2 of Y2 or Y3 of the program of study.
In addition to completing coursework, we expect students to complete a research-based Mitacs industry internship and to prepare a major research paper or thesis based on the research conducted for the internship.
Admissions
Students should express their interest in pursuing this pathway to Blockchain@UBC’s research director, Dr. Chang Lu. To be considered for participation in the pathway, we encourage students to apply by the end of April for admission the following academic year.
“I first heard of the Blockchain @ UBC program in the iSchool newsletter. Having had no prior understanding of Blockchain beyond knowing it had something to do with Bitcoin, I was interested in knowing more. The program provided me with an interdisciplinary knowledge of Blockchain technology and the countless industries and use cases it can be applied to. Through the course work, the Summer Institute and an internship with the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia, I was able to apply theoretical concepts in the real world. While I currently do not work within the Blockchain space, the transferable skills I gained through the program allowed me to become an information specialist at a technology company a few months prior to graduation. I highly recommend this program to anyone curious about how trustless systems can reshape the way we think of record keeping and is interested in solving challenging problems using an interdisciplinary perspective.”
Hassan Pakir, MLIS Student
2019 Blockchain and DLT cohort 2019