Blockchain Platforms and Development

Course details

This course dives into various blockchain platforms available in the market, their unique features, and their application scenarios. Students will gain hands-on experience in blockchain development, learning to design, deploy, and maintain blockchain solutions.

Start Date

TBD

Target Audience

Undergraduate students with a keen interest in blockchain technology. Prior knowledge of basic programming and blockchain foundations is recommended.

Duration

14-15 weeks

Learning Objectives

Familiarize with prominent blockchain platforms like Ethereum, Hyperledger, and Binance Smart Chain.
Grasp the architectural differences and consensus algorithms of various platforms.
Understand the development environment, tools, and languages specific to each platform.
Develop, deploy, and test smart contracts and decentralized applications.
Master integration of blockchain solutions with traditional applications.

Key Features

Expert-led sessions exploring the intricacies of popular blockchain platforms.
Hands-on development labs to create and deploy smart contracts.
Real-world case studies showcasing blockchain application scenarios.
Collaborative projects to design holistic blockchain solutions.
Access to state-of-the-art blockchain development tools via the LMS.

Learning path

Unit 1: Introduction to Blockchain Platforms (4)
Unit 2: Ethereum Deep Dive (6)
Unit 3: Hyperledger Exploration (4)
Unit 4: Exploring Binance Smart Chain and Others (6)
Unit 5: Advanced Blockchain Development (4)
Unit 6: Practical Application Scenarios (4)

Topics covered

Overview of Major Blockchain Platforms
Understanding Consensus Mechanisms: PoW, PoS, PoA, and more
Importance of Platform Selection
Blockchain-as-a-Service offerings

Ethereum Architecture and Components
Solidity: Smart Contract Development
Truffle and Ganache: Development and Testing
Interacting with Ethereum using Web3
Deploying on the Ethereum Mainnet and Testnets
Exploring the Ethereum Ecosystem

Hyperledger Architecture and Tools
Chaincode Development in Hyperledger
Hyperledger Composer and Playground
Deploying and Testing in a Hyperledger Environment

Introduction to Binance Smart Chain
Differences Between Ethereum and BSC
Smart Contract Deployment on BSC
Exploring other platforms: Tezos, Cardano, Polkadot
Interoperability Among Different Blockchains
Multi-chain Deployments

Optimizing Smart Contracts for Gas Efficiency
Ensuring Security in Blockchain Development
Dealing with Data: IPFS and Filecoin
Layer 2 Solutions and Scalability

Supply Chain on Blockchain
Identity Management and Verification
Blockchain in Real Estate: Tokenization and Transactions
Trends: NFTs, DAOs, and more

Grading:

Class Participation: 10%
Weekly Assignments: 30%
Group Project: 20%
Mid-Term Examination: 20%
Final Examination: 20%

Reading Material: Essential textbooks on blockchain development and platforms. Additional articles, guides, and developer documentation accessible via the LMS.

Assignments: A blend of theory-based questions and practical development tasks, focusing on real-world scenarios.

Faculty: A blockchain expert with industry experience in designing and deploying blockchain solutions.

Teaching Instructors: TBD