[major=BBA_FIN | course_id=FTF301m | syllabus_id=12759 | semester=7 | combo=FIN_COM7.1 | title=Foundation and Application of Financial Technology]
Course ID: FTF301m
Title EN: Foundation and Application of Financial Technology
Title VI: Nền tảng và ứng dụng trong tài chính công nghệ
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FIN301
Description: Wharton’s Fintech Specialization introduces the core concepts of financial technology and its real-world applications. Through case studies, you’ll explore topics like cryptocurrency, portfolio optimization, digital payments, robo-advising, and blockchain. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make informed decisions about using fintech solutions for personal or business advantage.
Student tasks: - Students must attend more than 80% of contact slots in order to be accepted to the final examination.
- Student is responsible to do all exercises, assignments and labs given by instructor in class or at home and submit on time
- Use laptop in class only for learning purpose
- Promptly access to http://flm.fpt.edu.vn for up-to-date course information
Tools: - Internet
- Laptop
Course type: coursera_hybrid
Decision: 359/QĐ-ĐHFPT dated 04/09/2025
Approved date: 2025-04-09
CLO1: Understand FinTech Fundamentals: Grasp the core concepts, technologies, and evolution of FinTech, and their transformative impact on financial services.
[1] category=Final Exam; type=Final; weight=30.0; duration=60 minutes; question_type=CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; grading_guide=Comprehensive coverage of fintech principles and applications; completion_criteria=; clos=4
[2] category=Class Participation; type=Ongoing; weight=10.0; duration=All sessions; question_type=All CLOs; grading_guide=All modules; completion_criteria=; clos=>0
[3] category=Group Assignment; type=Ongoing; weight=30.0; duration=Multiple sessions; question_type=CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; grading_guide=Application of concepts to real-world fintech issues; completion_criteria=; clos=>0
[4] category=Individual Assignment; type=Ongoing; weight=20.0; duration=3 weeks; question_type=CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; grading_guide=In-depth analysis of a fintech technology or innovation; completion_criteria=; clos=>0
[5] category=Quiz; type=Ongoing; weight=10.0; duration=30 minutes; question_type=CLO1, CLO6, CLO7; grading_guide=Key fintech concepts, terminology, and foundations; completion_criteria=; clos=>0
[1] desc=MOOC: Fintech: Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology Specialization; author=Christopher Geczy, University of Pennsylvania; publisher=Coursera; edition=; isbn=; main=True; online=True; note=
Session 1: Course 1: FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations
Course Introduction & Overview of FinTech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: I
ITU: Course Syllabus, Lecture Notes
Download: Review syllabus, note objectives

Session 2: What is FinTech?
Introduction to Robo-Advising
Defining Market Size & Financial Apps
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: I
ITU: Articles on FinTech Basics
Articles on Robo-Advisors
Market Analysis Reports
Download: Read materials, participate in Q&A
Review robo-advisor case studies
Analyze data on financial app trends

Session 3: Assets Under Management (AUM) in Robo-Advisors
The Insurtech Market
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Industry Reports
Articles on Insurtech
Download: Discuss asset trends and AUM growth
Explore the scope of Insurtech

Session 4: Global FinTech Market
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Global FinTech Reports
Download: Compare global FinTech developments
CLO2: Analyze Applications of Technology in Finance: Evaluate the integration of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and data analytics into payments, lending, investing, and insurance.
Session 1: Key Considerations in FinTech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Articles on FinTech Considerations
Download: Reflect on FinTech applications

Session 2: Millennials’ Financial Behavior
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Reports on Millennial Attitudes
Download: Analyze millennial attitudes in finance

Session 3: Risk Aversion & Social Impact
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Reports on Risk & Social Impact
Download: Discuss risk aversion behaviors

Session 4: Trust in FinTech & Choice Architecture
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Trust in FinTech
Download: Review trust models in FinTech
CLO3: Examine Market Dynamics and Consumer Trends: Identify and interpret market trends, consumer behavior, and the factors driving the adoption of FinTech innovations.
Session 1: Introduction to Payments
History of Payment Methods
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Payment Methods Overview
Articles on Payment History
Download: Examine the evolution of payments
Discuss historical payment trends

Session 2: Two-Sided Payment Markets
Complexity of Payment Processes
Credit Card Rewards & Costs
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Market Analysis of Payment Systems
Payment System Infographics
Regulatory and Market Reports
Download: Analyze benefits and challenges
Discuss system complexities
Explore cost structure and rewards

Session 3: Case Study: The Impact of Russia’s Removal from SWIFT and Its Adaptation Strategies
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Students work individually, find out information about SWIFT, how it is operated and how Russian removal from this system could influence them

Session 4: Case Study: The Impact of Russia’s Removal from SWIFT and Its Adaptation Strategies
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Students work individually, find out information about SWIFT, how it is operated and how Russian removal from this system could influence them
CLO4: Navigate Regulatory and Ethical Challenges: Understand the regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations, including data privacy and cybersecurity, in the FinTech ecosystem.
Session 1: Case Study: The Impact of Russia’s Removal from SWIFT and Its Adaptation Strategies
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Students work individually, find out information about SWIFT, how it is operated and how Russian removal from this system could influence them

Session 2: US & International Credit Regulation
Future of Payment Networks
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Regulatory Overviews
Articles on Payment Innovations
Download: https://flm.fpt.edu.vn/gui/role/student/Compare US vs. international standardsEvaluate upcoming payment technologies

Session 3: Perspectives on Financial Regulation
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO4; LO: T
ITU: Regulatory Perspectives Articles
Download: Discuss regulatory trade-offs

Session 4: Great Recession & FinTech Emergence
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: T
ITU: Reports on 2008 Crisis
Download: Analyze the impact on FinTech growth
CLO5: Critically Assess Risks and Opportunities: Analyze risks such as cybersecurity threats and operational challenges while identifying opportunities for growth and innovation in financial technology.
Session 1: FinTech Growth: Benefits & Challenges
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO4; LO: T
ITU: Growth Reports on FinTech
Download: Discuss growth opportunities and risks

Session 2: Challenges in FinTech Regulation
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO4; LO: T
ITU: Regulatory Challenges Articles
Download: Assess regulatory issues in FinTech

Session 3: Introduction to RegTech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO4; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Regulatory Technology
Download: Explore examples of RegTech applications

Session 4: Quiz for Course 1
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: U
ITU: Quiz on Course 1 Topics
Download: Complete quiz
CLO6: Apply Strategic Thinking to Financial Innovation: Develop the skills to apply FinTech solutions to real-world problems, enhancing efficiency and value in financial operations.
Session 1: Course 2: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain
Overview of Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin Transactions
Introduction to Blockchain
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: I
ITU: Cryptocurrency Basics Overview
Bitcoin Transaction Articles
Blockchain Technology Basics
Download: Review concepts in cryptocurrency
Discuss how Bitcoin transactions work
Review blockchain principles

Session 2: Digital Signatures & Security
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Digital Security
Download: Explore digital signature functionality

Session 3: Distributed Consensus & Proof of Work
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Distributed Consensus Mechanisms
Download: Examine consensus methods in blockchain

Session 4: Mining, Currency Supply, & Blockchain Future
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Mining Process Reports
Download: Discuss cryptocurrency supply management
CLO7: Present the understanding of the subject as well as skills through individual work and group work.
Session 1: Cryptocurrency as an Asset
Portfolio Theory in Cryptocurrency
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Asset Class
Analysis on Bitcoin
Download: Evaluate Bitcoin as an asset
Apply portfolio theory to cryptocurrency

Session 2: Blockchain Ecosystem
Building Blockchain & Industry Applications
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Ecosystem Analysis in Blockchain
Reports on Blockchain in Finance
Download: Discuss applications beyond cryptocurrency
Explore blockchain’s potential in finance

Session 3: Case Study: The Challenges of Cryptocurrency for Governments and Regulators
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: https://flm.fpt.edu.vn/gui/role/student/Students work individually, do research about dark sides and bright sides which cryptocurrency can bring about.

Session 4: Case Study: The Challenges of Cryptocurrency for Governments and Regulators
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: https://flm.fpt.edu.vn/gui/role/student/Students work individually, do research about dark sides and bright sides which cryptocurrency can bring about.
Session 1: Case Study: The Challenges of Cryptocurrency for Governments and Regulators
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: https://flm.fpt.edu.vn/gui/role/student/Students work individually, do research about dark sides and bright sides which cryptocurrency can bring about.

Session 2: Case Study on Blockchain in Business & Gaming
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2, CLO6, CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Blockchain in Gaming Articles
Download: Analyze how blockchain impacts various sectors

Session 3: Regulatory Issues in Blockchain
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2, CLO4; LO: T
ITU: Reports on Blockchain Regulation
Download: Assess regulatory impacts in blockchain

Session 4: Emerging FinTech Frontiers: Securitize
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Case Study on Securitize
Download: Review Securitize as a use case
Session 1: Quiz for Course 2
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1; LO: U
ITU: Quiz on Course 2 Topics
Download: Complete quiz

Session 2: Course 3: Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing
Introduction to Robo-Advising & Portfolio Theory
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: I
ITU: Robo-Advising Overview
Download: Review robo-advising basics

Session 3: Mean-Variance Optimization (Part 1)
Mean-Variance Optimization (Part 2)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Mean-Variance Articles
Case Studies on MVO
Download: Apply mean-variance optimization concepts
Practice portfolio optimization

Session 4: ETFs & Mutual Funds in Robo-Advising
Target Date Funds & Customization
Crowdfunding Basics
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Articles on ETFs and Mutual Funds
Reports on Target Date Funds
Articles on Crowdfunding
Download: Compare ETFs and mutual funds
Discuss custom portfolios
Review crowdfunding fundamentals
Session 1: JOBS Act & Crowdfunding Regulations
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: JOBS Act Overview
Download: Analyze regulatory impacts of JOBS Act

Session 2: Risks and Costs in Crowdfunding
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Reports on Crowdfunding Risks
Download: Evaluate risks and costs in crowdfunding

Session 3: Learning from the Crowd
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Crowd Wisdom
Download: Discuss value of crowd-sourced funding

Session 4: Introduction to Marketplace Lending
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Marketplace Lending Overview
Download: Review marketplace lending benefits
Session 1: Consumer Credit Landscape
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Reports on Consumer Credit
Download: Examine different debt types

Session 2: Case Studies: Lending to Small Businesses
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3; LO: T
ITU: Small Business Lending Articles
Download: Discuss lending to small businesses

Session 3: Case Study: CommonBond & Square
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO3, CLO6, CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case Studies on FinTech Leaders
Download: Analyze business models of CommonBond

Session 4: Course 4: Applications of AI, InsurTech, and Real Estate Technology
Introduction to InsurTech & Emerging Technologies
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: I
ITU: InsurTech Basics Overview
Download: Review emerging technologies in insurance
Session 1: AI & Machine Learning in InsurTech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Machine Learning in InsurTech
Download: Examine AI applications in insurance

Session 2: Redefining the Insurance Industry
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Industry Transformation
Download: Discuss disruptions in the industry

Session 3: Classifications of InsurTech Firms
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: InsurTech Firm Analysis
Download: Analyze types of InsurTech companies

Session 4: Market Size & Investment in InsurTech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Market Size Reports
Download: Review market size and investment trends
Session 1: Case Study: The Impact of AI in the Insurance Industry and the High Claim Denial Rate
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Discuss about the using of AI in insurance industry and how it causes the high denial rate

Session 2: Case Study: The Impact of AI in the Insurance Industry and the High Claim Denial Rate
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Discuss about the using of AI in insurance industry and how it causes the high denial rate

Session 3: Case Study: The Impact of AI in the Insurance Industry and the High Claim Denial Rate
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO7; LO: T
ITU: Case study file
Download: Discuss about the using of AI in insurance industry and how it causes the high denial rate

Session 4: Real Estate Tech: Industry Background
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Real Estate Technology
Download: Review basics of real estate technology
Session 1: Key Trends in Residential Real Estate Tech
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Residential Real Estate Tech Trends
Download: Discuss trends in residential sector

Session 2: Commercial Real Estate Technology
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO2; LO: T
ITU: Articles on Commercial Real Estate
Download: Examine commercial real estate impacts

Session 3: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects

Session 4: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects
Session 1: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects

Session 2: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects

Session 3: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects

Session 4: Group Presentations (Final 6 Sessions)
Topic: Offline; Teaching type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7; LO: U
ITU: Presentation Guidelines
Download: Prepare and present group projects