Introduction to Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Catalog description

This course offers a high-level technical introduction to blockchain and cryptocurrency, providing students with a foundational understanding of how blockchain technology works. Topics include blockchain networks, consensus mechanisms, distributed ledger architecture, cryptography, digital signatures, smart contracts, and decentralized record systems. Students will examine how blockchain stores information securely across nodes in a peer-to-peer network, enabling tamper-resistant transactions without third-party verification. Emphasis is placed on blockchain implementation and data structures, including public and private blockchains, and the role of blockchain in business operations and identity management. Through practical exercises, students gain exposure to blockchain frameworks like the Ethereum blockchain, while exploring potential applications in digital assets, voting systems, property records, and other industries. The course focuses on the computer science and engineering aspects of blockchain, rather than finance or cryptocurrency investment. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of blockchain's decentralized nature, security principles, and future impact across many industries.