BDL: Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers

Welcome to Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 

1. explain and analyze protocols and systems involving multiple participants and their security properties.
2. demonstrate the ability to think critically about cybersecurity.
3. program smart contracts as part of scalable information technology services.
4. analyse and evaluate smart contract code utilizing basic cryptographic primitives such as digital signatures and hash functions.

Course Outline

The concept of blockchain will be covered in detail together with the supporting cryptographic technology. Questions that will be covered is why it works and what problems can it solve. 

Syllabus:

1. Introduction to blockchains and distributed ledgers, hashes, and digital signatures.
2. Blockchain-related data structures.
3. A blockchain as a platform. Introduction to smart contracts. 
4. Smart contract programming, pitfalls, and security vulnerabilities.
5. The consensus problem.
6. Byzantine Fault Tolerance and permissionless vs. permissioned ledgers.
7. Game theoretical and economic aspects of distributed ledgers.
8. Networks, wallets, and anonymity and privacy in blockchain protocols.
9. DeFi. Secure Multiparty Computation.
10. Blockchain applications and legal aspects.
11. Summary and overview with student questions.