Blockchain Fundamentals Course
Prague, Czech Republic
DURATION
10 Days
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
05 Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
EUR 950 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Please note, that after the 30th of April 2024, there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 50EUR on top of the course fee
Introduction
Through a series of lectures and practical assignments, students will gain a solid understanding of the key concepts in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized applications (DApps).
Description
The course will begin with a concise introduction to blockchain, followed by hands-on practical assignments that involve creating wallets, sending cryptocurrency, and developing custom crypto tokens. Students will delve into the inner workings of Bitcoin transactions, Proof of Work, and the role of money in society.
As the course progresses, students will learn about the history of crypto-anarchism, cypherpunks, and the evolution of blockchain technology. They will explore the concepts of tokenization, cryptography, and forks, along with the emergence of DApps and their potential impact on various industries.
Upon completion of this course, students will possess a strong foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, enabling them to explore further opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of decentralization and digital currencies.
The learning goals of the Blockchain Fundamentals course consist of knowledge and practical skills components. We will work according to a ‘Flipped Learning’ methodology. This means that we will create a learning environment in which you, together with your peers, can actively develop your knowledge and skills. You will be put in charge of your own learning progress.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 14:00
Accommodation: For accommodation options, please visit the dedicated page.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Credits: You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course. Please inform the organizing staff if you require any extra supplements, such as Transcript of Records. The student is eligible to receive up to 5 ECTS credits, however, please follow the instructions here and consult the acknowledgment process with your university in advance.
Course Outline
Day 1
Blockchain introduction
- A short, short introduction to blockchain
- Topics to be covered
- Practical assignment 1: create wallets and send cryptocurrency
- Film: where does Bitcoin come from?
Day 2
Proof-of-Work and the role of money in society
- How a Bitcoin transaction works
- Introduction to Proof of Work (part 1)
- The role of money in society
- Practical assignment 2: create your own crypto token
Day 3
Bitcoin philosophy and blockchain 2.0
- Introduction to Proof of Work (part 2)
- Crypto-anarchism and cypherpunks
- Introduction to Blockchain 2.0
- Tokenization
Day 4
Cryptography, dApps, and Decentralized business models
- Cryptography
- Forks
- Decentralized Applications
- Practical assignment 4: think of a business idea that can benefit from decentralization, using the Decentralized Business Model Canvas
Day 5
Proof-of-Stake and Bitcoin whitepaper
- Assessment 1
- Proof-of-Stake
- Bitcoin whitepaper
- Practical assignment 5: present the decentralized business idea
Day 6
Finance, Fintech, and DeFi
- Finance and Financial intermediaries
- The advent of Fintech
- Decentralized finance and protocols
- Practical Assignment 6: Experiment with lending protocols
Day 7
Trading and indicators
- Trading
- Indicators
- Practical Assignment 7: Live trading on a real platform
Day 8
Oracles and Bridges
- Smart contracts and oracles
- The oracle problem
- Bridges and wrapped assets
- Practical assignment 8: Bridge assets between different chains
Day 9
Token Taxonomy
- Introduction to Token Taxonomy
- Non-fungible tokens
- Identifying scams and scam types
- Practical assignment 9: Create and trade NFTs
Day 10
Wrap-up and final Tests
- Wrap-up of the course
- Assessment 2
- Live Trading Competition
*Program/Course Outline is subject to change.
Literature
- Andreas Antonopoulos, The Internet of Money, 2016
- Paul Vigna & Michael J. Casey, The age of cryptocurrency, 2015
Assessments
- Quiz 1 (50%)
- Quiz 2 (50%)
- The final presentation of a business project website that includes an ICO, a portfolio of what the students have learned, and a short reflection of the main takeaways of the course (50%)
- For every class that a student misses, the student has to make a substitute assignment
Course time totals 125 hours
- The course runs 2 weeks Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00
- Total time of in-class work = 50 hours
- Preliminary assignment = 10hours
- Preparation = 65hours
Program Outcome
Skills
- The student will be able to comfortably discuss and describe the history, technology, and applications of Blockchain
- The student will be able to assess Blockchain applications in a structured manner
- The student will be able to present Blockchain concepts clearly and persuasively
- The student will be able to create their own Crypto token
- The student will gain familiarity with Decentralized Finance
- The student will be able to create a decentralized business model and a corresponding decentralized autonomous organization