Course Syllabus

This course is a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the fundamental concepts of the crypto space, with a particular emphasis on Bitcoin. By building intuition first from the context of cryptocurrencies, the first applications of blockchain, we understand the key strengths and distinguishing factors of blockchain versus traditional database systems. We then leverage these core features of blockchain to solve new problems.

The course is divided into 6 modules: Bitcoin High Level Overview, Blockchain History, Bitcoin Mechanics Technical Overview, Bitcoin in Real Life, Game Theory & Network Attacks, and Ethereum & Smart Contracts. 

Bitcoin Protocol & Consensus: A High Level Overview

We begin with some fundamental concepts such as the basic properties and intent of centralized/decentralized currency. We then build an in-depth understanding of Bitcoin from the ground up, divided into four stages: Identity, Transactions, Record Keeping, and Consensus. 

Blockchain History: From the Cypherpunk Movement to JP Morgan Chase

This module delves into the origins and historical significance of Bitcoin. We look into the roots of Bitcoin in the Cypherpunk movement and Libertarian ideals, and examine the revolutionary significance of Bitcoin as opposed to some of its early predecessors. We then move onto exploring the history of the crypto space as a whole.

Bitcoin Mechanics & Optimizations: A Technical Overview 

We examine the in-depth mechanics behind Bitcoin, such as the Bitcoin network, cryptography and cryptographic hash functions, Bitcoin Script, privacy, and hash commitment schemes.

Bitcoin In Real Life: Wallets, Mining, and More 

We examine the most frequently used real world aspects of Bitcoin, such as wallets, wallet mechanics, mining, transactions, and Bitcoin governance. We explain the various ways one can interface with the Bitcoin network, depending on the specific software they run. 

Game Theory & Network Attacks: How to Destroy Bitcoin 

We look into how to destroy Bitcoin, including various network attacks. Specifically, we look into vulnerabilities such as pool cannibalization, double spending and forking attacks, network attacks, the Goldfinger attack, malicious mining profit strategies, and 51% attacks.

Ethereum & Smart Contracts: Enabling a Decentralized Future

This module focuses on the properties behind the second largest blockchain platform, Ethereum. We introduce the Ethereum Virtual Machine and the idea of Turing completeness, and examine some of the key protocol differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum, such as the UTXO vs. accounts model and functionality. We then look into some of the use cases of Ethereum, and conclude with an overview of smart contracts and building decentralized applications. Having spent the last modules primarily on cryptocurrencies, this module encourages students to think about blockchain use cases outside of cryptocurrency.

Grading

There will be homeworks and quizzes dispersed throughout the course. Homeworks are intended to be interesting prompts. Quizzes are intended to be a quick, easy screen designed for you to demonstrate you completed your readings for the current week's topic. They will manly be in the form of multiple choice questions, and you will only have a limited number of tries per question. Homeworks and quizzes will both be worth 30% of your total grade.

There will also be Quick Checks, which are multiple choice questions designed to check your understanding directly following a lecture video or reading. You will have an unlimited number of tries per question. Correct completion of all Quick Checks will be worth another 30% of your total grade.

There is also a participation grade. If you actively ask questions and contribute to discussions, you can expect a full score. Participation will be worth 10% of your total grade.

Keep in mind that the purpose of this course is to learn! So as long as you put in the effort to understand the material, you do not need to worry about your grade!

Resources

You are free to read from these books, which are both freely distributed and available online. Some readings may be pulled from these books during the course. 

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies Opens in new window by Arvind Narayanan, Joseph Bonneau, Edward Felten, Andrew Miller, and Steven Goldfeder

Mastering Bitcoin Opens in new window by Andreas Antonopoulos

Also, a good unofficial resource is the Blockchain at Berkeley Public Slack, where we discuss various topics related to blockchain. You can request access to our Slack workspace at the bottom of the Blockchain at Berkeley website, under "Join Blockchain at Berkeley on Slack."

Note: the views expressed on the public slack do not reflect the views of the instructors for this course. Official course discussion should still occur on the edX discussion board.