Blockchain technology

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course aims at providing students with knowledge of the state-of-the-art blockchain technology. As a result of the course, students will have an in-depth understanding of the blockchain technology and be able to use their expertise in both the academia and industry.

As blockchain technology becomes more and more ubiquitous, there is a growing demand for rigorous 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. 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 the blockchain technology.

Skills

The student...

  • is able to discuss and present state-of-the-art research papers on some technical aspects of blockchain that allows them to conduct a research project in the area.
  • 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 technical papers on the blockchain techology.

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn
Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor's degree
Recommended Previous Knowledge

Basic familiarity with object-oriented programming is assumed, and background in information

science\computer science\mathematics or similar is required.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
INFO384 10 ECTS
Access to the Course
Master's programme in Information Science and Integrated Master's in Information Technology and Economics. Other master students are allowed to apply for admission.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures and seminars.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Attendance of 80% of course sessions is required.
Forms of Assessment

The assessment comprises of two parts:

  • Written exam (70%)
  • Two 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
A-F
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester
Course Evaluation
All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.
Examination Support Material

Written exam: Dictionary preapproved by the Faculty

Graded assignments: None

Course Administrator
The Department of Information Science and Media Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course