NDAK17002U Subjects in Blockchain Technology (SBT)

Volume 2024/2025
Content

The term blockchain encompasses decentralised peer-to-peer systems maintaining a joint ledger (log of events) without central control or privileged platform providers or users, as well as applications conceived for and made possible by such technology.

Blockchain has gained much interest due to the growing interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. However, the potential of blockchain technology is not limited to transfers of cryptocurrencies but expands to a variety of smart contracts. Some believe it has the potential to revolutionise the world just like the internet did.

We will engage in a "blockchain summer of code'', 4 weeks of software development where we will have a compact introduction to state-of-the-art blockchain technology, followed by implementing a prototype in a team to solve a real-world problem using blockchain technology. Examples of potential projects are contract management languages, identity (Know-Your-Customer, data mining), reporting and applications such as backup, bill of lading and resource tracking. Each team can choose a blockchain platform (such as the Ethereum network or R3 Corda) that is adequate for the particular use case.

We look for diversified groups of participants from different technical disciplines including computer science, economics, mathematics, engineering, etc.) as the project will depend not only on the technology but also on the usability of the solutions.   

Learning Outcome

Knowledge of

  • A distributed ledger (= blockchain) platform supporting executing programs ("smart contracts") such as Ethereum or Corda
     
  • Important characteristics of and corresponding techniques for implementing distributed ledgers

  • Potential of distributed ledger technology for solving real-world problems


Skills to 

  • Design, analyse, implement and test smart contract code on a state-of-the-art distributed ledger platform
     
  • Set up and deploy prototype smart contract code on a distributed ledger test system
     
  • Analyse suitability of applications for implementation on a particular distributed ledger system

 

Competences to

  • Design basic distributed ledger-based solutions to real-world problems

  • Produce rapid prototypes of distributed ledger applications

  • Report and present findings of a group project

A reading list of relevant up-to-date articles that will be distributed to the participants at the start of the course.

If you wish to prepare a before the course we would suggest looking into these three generalised ledgers:

  • Ethereum
  • Corda
  • Hyperledger Fabric
Some programming experience in e.g. Python or Java is recommended. Furthermore, we recommend looking into Solidity programming in advance.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The blockchain summer school will include 2 days of full introductory classes, followed by 48 hours hackathon to build a prototype of your group initial project (the rest of the course will work on extending this case study project). The 5th day would include feedback on your group hackathon project + participation in the 5th Nordic Blockchain Summit.

This intensive week will be followed up with a group project with weekly status assessment and possibilities to ask questions to further your group project.

Please see blockchainschool.eu for more details.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 45
  • Project work
  • 140
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral exam on basis of previous submission, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
Specifically, the exam consists of two parts:

1. A group report (written assignment) based on the group project.
2. An individual oral examination (without preparation) based on the group report.

The written and oral examination are not weighted, why only one overall assessment is provided for the entire exam.
Exam registration requirements

Submission of weekly status updates (specific guidelines will be given during the course.)

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

The written project report can be revised and resubmitted.

If a student has not qualified for the exam or handed in a project report, then the student must prepare a full project on their own and submit the project report. The exam qualification must be met no later than three weeks prior to the re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome