This second course of the Blockchain specialization will help you design, code, deploy and execute a smart contract – the computational element of the blockchain technology. Smart contracts allow for implementing user-defined operations of arbitrary complexity that are not possible through plain cryptocurrency protocols. They allow users to implement conditions, rules and policies of the domain applications. Smart contracts are a powerful feature that, when properly designed and coded, can result in autonomous, efficient and transparent systems.
Offered By
University at Buffalo
The State University of New York
Blockchain SpecializationUniversity at BuffaloAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
56%
started a new career after completing these courses
58%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
14%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 2 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Knowledge of at least one modern, high-level programming language is required, as well as completion of the course titled, "Blockchain Basics".
Approx. 17 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Korean
What you will learn
This second course of the Blockchain specialization will help you design, code, deploy and execute a smart contract.
Skills you will gain
CryptocurrencyBlockchainSoliditySmart ContractRemix IDE
Learner Career Outcomes
56%
started a new career after completing these courses
58%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
14%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 2 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Knowledge of at least one modern, high-level programming language is required, as well as completion of the course titled, "Blockchain Basics".
Approx. 17 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Korean
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
Smart Contract Basics
The purpose of this module is to introduce the reasons for a smart contract and its critical role in transforming blockchain technology from enabling decentralized systems. We will explore the structure and basic concepts of a smart contract through examples, and illustrate Remix (remix.ethereum.org) web IDE for deploying and interacting with a smart contract.
4 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 33 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes
5 videos
Smart Contracts Defined (Part 1) (Remix IDE and Greeter Demos)7m
Smart Contracts Defined (Part 2) (Simple Storage Demo)5m
Processing Smart Contracts (Compile Artifacts Demo)4m
Deploying Smart Contracts4m
6 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Why Smart Contracts?10m
Updated Smart contracts (Solidity version 5.9)10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Smart Contracts Defined10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Processing Smart Contracts10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Deploying Smart Contracts10m
REQUIRED Quiz Resources and Directions: Smart Contract Basics - Week10m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Smart Contract Basics30m
5 hours to complete
Solidity
Our goal is to master the basics of Solidity, a high-level language that is a combination of Javascript, Java and C++. It is specially designed to write smart contracts and to target the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Learners will be able to follow demonstrations and practice using Solidity.
5 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 47 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes
7 videos
Basic Data Types & Statements (Bidder Data & Functions Demos)6m
Specific Data Types (Part 1) (Coin Demo)6m
Specific Data Types (Part 2) (Coin Demo cont.)2m
Data Structures (Part 1) (BallotV1 Demo)10m
Data Structures (Part 2) (StateTransV2 Demo)7m
Access Modifiers & Applications7m
5 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Solidity: Structure10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Basic Data Types & Statements10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Specific Data Types10m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Data Structures30m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Access Modifiers & Applications10m
6 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Solidity - Week 230m
4 hours to complete
Putting it all Together
This module focuses on the development of the Ballot smart contract incrementally to illustrate various features including time dependencies, validation outside the function code using access modifiers, asserts and require declarations, and event logging.
4 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings, 5 quizzes
8 videos
Time Elements (Part 1)4m
Time Elements (Part 2) (BallotV2 Demo)6m
Time Elements (Part 3)2m
Validation & Test (Part 1) (BallotV3 Demo)7m
Validation & Test (Part 2) (BallotV4 Demo)3m
Client Applications2m
Practitioner's Perspective: Shared Rules & Trust3m
4 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Developing Smart Contracts5m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Time Elements5m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Validation & Test15m
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Client Applications15m
5 practice exercises
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Self-Check30m
Putting It All Together - Week 330m
4 hours to complete
Best Practices
This module will focus on best practices including evaluating whether a blockchain-based solution is suitable for your problem, designing Solidity smart contracts, and those relating to Remix IDE.
4 hours to complete
3 videos (Total 16 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
4 readings
(OPTIONAL) Resources: Best Practices10m
(MANDATORY READING) Addendum: Solidity Version10m
Assignment Description10m
Smart Contracts: Key Takeaways10m
1 practice exercise
Best Practices- Week 430m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM SMART CONTRACTS
by DMDec 17, 2019
Excellent course! Provided a good overview of how smart contracts adds a layer of value to the evolution in blockchain technology. The hands on programming experience was quite helpful as well.
by HTApr 8, 2019
Thank you; excellent starting point so I can have a good foundation to learn more Solidity programming; the discussion forum is helpful when I submit the code at the end of the project.
by ANJan 11, 2019
Great course for the beginners. Its gives an overview of smart contract, Solidity , Remix IDE. it definitely gives a lot of confidence to the trainee upon completion of the course.
by SDMay 20, 2020
The course is really good. But the final programming assignment wasn't challenging enough. Although I might be judging too early considering this is a part of a specialization.
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.
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.
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 class for?
This course is for anyone interested in designing and developing smart contracts. Along with other courses of the Blockchain specialization, it provides the foundation to design and develop decentralized applications (the focus of the third course) on the blockchain.
Are there any prerequisites?
Mastery of content from the first course of the specialization (Blockchain Basics) is a prerequisite. 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+.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
