IN9420 – Distributed Blockchain Technologies
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Teaching and exams spring 2022
In light of the most recent infection control regulations, we will at the start of the spring semester 2022 increase our online teaching, while we at the same time try to maintain in-person teaching where this is possible. We hope to go back to more in-person teaching later on in the semester. You will be informed about any changes in teaching or examinations on the semester page, in Canvas or through your regular channels.
Read more about postponed exams for the autumn semester 2021.
Course content
We are witnessing an explosive rise in the popularity of the blockchain paradigm, the technology that enables cooperative economic models without a central administrator. While originally inspired by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and generally cryptocurrency, the paradigm has since found many additional applications and become a hot topic both in industry and research. This research oriented seminar explores state-of-the art advances, principles, and techniques in the area. In particular, the seminar covers:
- Bitcoin and origins of blockchain.
- Blockchain storage technologies.
- Scalability of the data update (consensus) protocols.
- Security and privacy aspects.
Learning outcome
The student will:
- Learn about research advances related to one of the most popular technological areas today.
- Get experience with reviewing and summarizing research papers and presentations.
- Get experience of participating in research discussions with peers.
- Get experience with programming with selected building blocks of a blockchain system
Admission to the course
The course number is limited to 15 students (IN5420 and IN9420 together).
If the number of enrolled students is higher than 15, they will be ranked as follwed:
- PhD candidates who has the course as mandatory
- Master students at the Department of Informatics who has the course approved in their study plan
- Master students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences who has the course approved in their study plan
- Master students at the Department of Informatics
- Others
Recommended previous knowledge
IN5200 – Advanced Digital System Design/INF5040 or another course in distributed systems. The most relevant aspects of distributed systems are P2P, data replication, and consensus protocols
Knowledge in security and applied cryptography;
Knowledge in distributed databases
Python programming experience for a programming assignment.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with IN5420 – Distributed Blockchain Technologies.
Teaching
Being a seminar, the course consists of reading, presenting, and discussing research papers. In the beginning, an overview lecture in the area will be given. Attending the first lecture is mandatory.
3 hours pr week. It´s mandatory to attend at least 75% of the lectures. Everyone will be required to hold a presentation, and submission of short summaries for at least 75% of the topics.
Everyone will be required to submit a single programming assignment
Active participation in lessions and discussions is required.
Being a seminar, the course consists of reading, presenting, and discussing research papers. In the beginning, an overview lecture in the area will be given. In particular, the seminar covers:
- bitcoin and origins of blockchain
- blockchain storage technologies
- scalability of the data update (consensus) protocols
- security and privacy aspects
Examination
Oral exam. All mandatory activities must be approved in order to be admitted to the exam.
It will also be counted as one of your three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: IN5420 - Distributed Blockchain Technologies
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.