Applications of Blockchain

Catalog description

This course explores the technical implementation and applications of blockchain technology across a range of industries. Students will examine blockchain architecture, including the layers of the blockchain technology stack and how these affect system governance, consensus algorithms, data privacy, and access control. Emphasis is placed on blockchain’s decentralized nature, secure data storage, and data transparency, with examples from healthcare (e.g., patient data and medical records), finance (e.g., secure transactions, payment processing, bitcoin transactions), logistics, and real estate. Students will analyze how blockchain protocols support data integrity, prevent data tampering, and validate transactions across a distributed ledger network. The course also investigates blockchain-based solutions such as smart contracts, private and public blockchain networks, and blockchain records, highlighting both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Additional topics include cryptographic hash functions, document timestamps, digital assets, and blockchain’s role in data security, digital currencies, and mobile device integration. (Prerequisite: ENTD225)