Introduction to Blockchain

Catalog description

Blockchain or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) provides a decentralized method of information sharing between parties that do not trust each other. Instead the trust is in the underlying cryptographic algorithms. This practical introductory course provides experience with the fundamentals of cryptography (codes and ciphers, symmetric and asymmetric encryption, public and private keys, hashes, and zero knowledge proofs) - as it is applied to implementing a blockchain solution. This course covers the basics of a distributed ledger, how it is built, used, and secured. Methods of ensuring consensus - from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake will be explored and analyzed. Students will have both written and practical assignments to build and deploy components of a blockchain solution.