N_TK Cryptocurrency Technologies

University of Finance and Administration
Winter 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Jan Lánský, Ph.D.
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ivana Plačková
Prerequisites
Necessary: Knowledge of Programming and data structures at the Bachalor level. Advantage: basic knowledge of cryptography and theoretical computer science.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Tha aim of this course is understanding how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies work on practical and technical level. Students will be able design software using cryptocurrency technologies and integrate cryptocurrency technology to other software systems.
Learning outcomes
Ability to explain basic concepts: private and public key, address, block, bachelor, proof of work and share, mince-making transaction, mining and its difficulty. Ability to use basic concepts in describing common situations associated with cryptocurrencies. Ability to modify existing cryptocurrencies source codes and clever contracts, integration of cryptocurrencies into infomation systems and other programs
Syllabus
  • 1. Motivation - aplications 2. Intro to Crypto and Cryptocurrencies 3. How Bitcoin Achieves Decentralization 4. Mechanics of Bitcoin 5. How to Store and Use Cryptocurrencies 6. Cryptocurrencies mining 7. Cryptocurrencies and anonymity 8. Community, Politics, and Regulation 9. Alternative Mining Puzzles 10. Cryptocurrencies as a platform 11. Altcoins and the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem 12. The future of Cryptocurrencies
Literature
    required literature
  • J. Lánský: Kryptoměny. 1. vydání, C. H. Beck, Praha, 2018, 160 s. ISBN 978-80-7400-722-4.
  • A. M. Antonopoulos: Mastering Bitcoin. Sebastopol: O’Reilly Media, Inc., 2nd ed., 2017. ISBN: 9781491954379
  • Arvind Narayanan a kol.: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies, Princeton University, 2015. Aviable from https://www.coursera.org/course/bitcointech
Teaching methods
At seminars we will discuss difficult parts of literature, which is given to home study. Students will work (alone or in team) on selected project
Assessment methods
Students can chouse one of tree alternatives to get credit. (1) Esey of length 5-8 pages. Student will explain his praktical experience with cryptocurrency technology. (2) Program, topic must be approved by teacher until end of January. Exam is oral, student will choose one or more books from mandatory literature.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 14 hodin KS/semestr.
Teacher's information
https://www.coursera.org/course/bitcointech
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2014, Winter 2015, Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2019, Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vsfs.cz/course/vsfs/winter2023/N_TK