Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

The student will acquire knowledge of:

• The fundamental principles underpinning distributed systems, blockchain technology, and cryptocurrencies to build a strong foundation for understanding these cutting-edge technologies.
• Various consensus mechanisms, including Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and other diverse approaches.
• The differences between public and private blockchains, examining their distinct applications, challenges, and effective solutions.
• Advanced privacy-preserving techniques, focusing on the implementation and significance of Zero Knowledge Proofs and Multiparty Computation.
• A comprehensive knowledge base that enables students to navigate and contribute to the dynamic and evolving realm of decentralized and secure digital ecosystems.

The student must also be able to relate critically and reflexively in relation to these theoretical subjects.

Skills

The student must be able to use theories, methods, and models from the above-mentioned areas to identify, analyze, assess, and come up with proposals for solving concrete problems in practice. The student must be able to argue for the relevance of the chosen theories, methods, and models as well as for the proposed solution. In addition, the student must be able to reflect on the significance of the context in which the solution is part of. Concretely, it is expected that after completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Engage in the end-to-end process of designing, analyzing, implementing, and testing smart contract code on a state-of-the-art distributed ledger platform.

• Establish proficiency in setting up and deploying prototype smart contract code on a distributed ledger test system, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the deployment process.

Competences

The student will have competences in:

• Using distributed ledger for several IT security applications such as: decentralized data storage, authentication and authorization, secure identity management, cybersecurity incident tracking etc.
• Developing a comprehensive understanding of privacy and blockchain security principles, gaining the competence to identify vulnerabilities, and assess the overall security of blockchain-based applications to ensure robust protection of organizational data and assets.

Type of instruction

Teaching is based on a combination of lectures, active learning, problem solving and cases. There is an alternation between self-study, physical seminars/workshops lasting 1-2 days and mini projects that are solved individually or in groups.

Exam

Exams