Blockchain technology and formal methods
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 15
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- INFO384
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The course aims at providing students with knowledge of the state-of-the-art blockchain technology. Moreover, students will learn how to use the tools and techniques of formal logic and theoretical computer science to analyse and reason about various blockchain aspects and properties. As a result of the course, students will have an in-depth understanding of formal methods for blockchain and be able to carry out research in the area.
As blockchain technology becomes more and more ubiquitous, there is a growing demand for rigorous and formal understanding of its key aspects. The course will provide an advanced overview of blockchain theory and models with detailed analyses of some of its implementations. A special focus will be set on various notions of consensus, like proof-of-work and proof-of-stake. Both the blockchain itself and consensus will be then formally analysed using the notions and techniques of theoretical computer science, e.g. Merkle trees and modal logic. We will also cover one of the most prominent applications of blockchains - smart contracts. The focus will be on Ethereum smart contracts, and their implementation in Solidity programming language. The course will also include a detailed overview of cryptographic methods used to ensure the safety on a blockchain.
The course material will include selected chapters from textbooks and research papers.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course a participating student will have the following knowledge, skills, and general competence.
Knowledge
- The student has rigorous and advanced understanding of blockchains and formal methods for them.
Skills
- The student is able to discuss and present state-of-the-art research papers on formal aspects of blockchain that allows them to conduct a research project in the area. Moreover, the student has a firm grasp on smart contracts and is able to prototype them in Solidity programming language.
General competence
- The student is able to read advanced research papers on formal methods for blockchain and verification of smart contracts.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Attendance of 80% of course sessions is required.
There will be compulsory assignments in the course. The compulsory assignments must be approved to be allowed to take the exam.
The approved mandatory assignments can be carried over to the following semester, but not beyond.
Forms of Assessment
The assessment comprises of two parts:
- Written exam (70%)
- Three graded assignments (30%)
Grades for each part of assessment and the final grade will be published in Studentweb.
The exam assignment will be given in the language of instruction in the course.
The exam answer must be submitted in the same language as the exam assignment.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Course Evaluation
Examination Support Material
Written exam: Dictionary preapproved by the Faculty
Graded assignments: None