Blockchain

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course provides a holistic introduction to Blockchain Protocols and Smart Contracts. The students will learn how cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum work, why they are secure, and how they can be used to implement real-world financial contracts without relying on trusted third-parties or centralized control. They will also learn to avoid, detect, and fix common security vulnerabilities in smart contracts. List of Topics 1. Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and Decentralization 2. Hash Functions and Public-key Cryptography 3. The Double-spending Problem 4. Bitcoin and Proof-of-Work (PoW) 5. Proof-of-stake and other alternatives to PoW 6. Programmable Blockchains 7. Introduction to Ethereum and Solidity 8. Tools for Implementing Smart Contracts 9. Commitment Schemes 10. Auctions and Escrows 11. Re-entrancy and Out-of-gas Vulnerabilities 12. Incentivization Bugs and Attacks by Miners 13. Verifying Correctness of Smart Contracts