Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies: Theory to Practice
Course Number: 46912
This course provides a cross-disciplinary, comprehensive overview of key topics in blockchains and cryptocurrencies.
Topics include:
- Distributed consensus as the backbone of blockchains, enabling multiple nodes to maintain a public ledger.
- Architectural design of major blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Cryptographic tools including digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, and Merkle hash trees.
- Smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications such as automated market makers, lending pools, and atomic swaps.
- Incentive attacks and cryptoeconomics.
- Mechanism design for blockchains.
- Practitioner perspectives.
- Key challenges facing blockchain systems today.
Some lectures may include light mathematical content, but formal proofs are not required. Coursework includes homework assignments, a smart contract programming lab, and a final exam.
Concentration: Programming
Semester(s): Mini 5
Required/Elective: Elective
Units: 6
Prerequisite(s): None