This first course of the Blockchain specialization provides a broad overview of the essential concepts of blockchain technology – by initially exploring the Bitcoin protocol followed by the Ethereum protocol – to lay the foundation necessary for developing applications and programming. You will be equipped with the knowledge needed to create nodes on your personal Ethereum blockchain, create accounts, unlock accounts, mine, transact, transfer Ethers, and check balances.
Offered By
University at Buffalo
The State University of New York
Blockchain SpecializationUniversity at BuffaloAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
39%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Knowledge of at least one modern, high-level programming language is required.
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic
What you will learn
A learner will be able to recognize foundational concepts of blockchain, and apply these program concepts on the blockchain.
Skills you will gain
EthereumCryptographyBlockchainsBitcoin
Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
39%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Knowledge of at least one modern, high-level programming language is required.
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic
Offered by
University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (UB) is a premier, research-intensive public university and the largest, most comprehensive institution of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UB offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and nearly 300 graduate and professional programs.
The State University of New York
The State University of New York, with 64 unique institutions, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States. Educating nearly 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs both on campus and online, SUNY has nearly 3 million alumni around the globe.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 hours to complete
Blockchain Defined
We will introduce and define blockchain, explain the structure and operational aspects of Bitcoin blockchain, and compare different types of blockchains.
4 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 26 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes
5 videos
Blockchain Defined: Bitcoin & Blockchain8m
Blockchain Structure5m
Basic Operations4m
Beyond Bitcoin3m
6 readings
Acknowledgements: Blockchain5m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Bitcoin & Blockchain15m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Blockchain Structure12m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Basic Operations10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Beyond Bitcoin18m
REQUIRED Quiz Resources and Directions: Blockchain Defined - Week 110m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Blockchain Defined - Week 130m
4 hours to complete
Ethereum Blockchain
We will discuss the innovation of the Ethereum blockchain, review its protocol, and explore the payment model for code execution.
4 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes
5 videos
Practitioner's Perspective: The Enterprise2m
Ethereum Structure4m
Ethereum Operations2m
Incentive Model4m
5 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Smart Contracts15m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Ethereum Structure10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Ethereum Operations12m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Incentive Model10m
REQUIRED Quiz Resources and Directions: Ethereum Blockchain - Week 210m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Ethereum Blockchain - Week 230m
4 hours to complete
Algorithms & Techniques
We will discuss the concept of asymmetric key encryption, define the concept of hashing, and explain techniques that use algorithms to manage the integrity of transactions and blocks in blockchain.
4 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 21 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes
4 videos
Hashing5m
Transaction Integrity3m
Securing Blockchain4m
5 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Public-Key Cryptography12m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Hashing30m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Transaction Integrity15m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Securing Blockchain10m
REQUIRED Quiz Resources and Directions: Algorithms & Techniques - Week 310m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Algorithms & Techniques - Week 330m
7 hours to complete
Trust Essentials
We will define elements of trust in blockchain and discuss the Consensus protocol.
7 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes
5 videos
Consensus Protocol2m
Practitioner's Perspective: Decentralized Governance2m
Robustness5m
Forks4m
5 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Decentralized Systems20m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Consensus Protocol1h
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Robustness5m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Forks10m
Blockchain Basics: Key Takeaways5m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Trust Essentials - Week 430m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM BLOCKCHAIN BASICS
by ESDec 30, 2019
Out of date: the content is from 2017 I believe, and this is a field that is evolving so fast. It was hard to follow along on the programming exercises, but it was a good introduction to the concepts.
by TTNov 18, 2018
This is an introductory course to Blockchain. The supplemented material (in other words self-study) is excellent and in my opinion is the only way to master the concepts and details of this discipline
by UDec 31, 2019
One of the Best course for Absolutely Beginners :-) Discussed Core Fundamental Factors of Blockchain of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Amazing Resources & Really Helpful Content. Thanks Bina Ramamurthy Ma'am.
by SSJul 27, 2018
I find this course helpful to absolute beginner and for one who wants to grasp the basic concepts of Blockchain . The tutor tried to explain most part with simplicity and good and sufficient details.
About the Blockchain Specialization
This specialization introduces blockchain, a revolutionary technology that enables peer-to-peer transfer of digital assets without any intermediaries, and is predicted to be just as impactful as the Internet. More specifically, it prepares learners to program on the Ethereum blockchain. The four courses provide learners with (i) an understanding and working knowledge of foundational blockchain concepts, (ii) a skill set for designing and implementing smart contracts, (iii) methods for developing decentralized applications on the blockchain, and (iv) information about the ongoing specific industry-wide blockchain frameworks.
The specialization covers a range of essential topics, from the cryptographic underpinnings of blockchain technology to enabling decentralized applications on a private Ethereum blockchain platform.
It is ideal for programmers and designers involved in developing and implementing blockchain applications, and anyone who is interested in understanding its potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
- The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone interested in obtaining a broad overview of blockchain technology. Along with the other courses of the Blockchain specialization, it provides the foundation needed for developers who seek to design and develop smart contracts (the focus of the second course) and decentralized applications (the focus of the third course) on the blockchain. Though there are no technical prerequisites for this course, motivation to learn novel techniques and essential foundations is critical to understanding blockchain concepts and interacting with the blockchain.
Are there any prerequisites?
Knowledge of at least one modern, high-level programming language is required.
Are there any hardware requirements?
A laptop or a desktop of this specification: 64 bit machine with minimum 4Gb ram, 10Gb free space and Windows 7 or above , or ubuntu 16.04 or Mac os x 10.0+.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
