Blockchain Specialization

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Blockchain Specialization

Instructor: Stefano M. Stefan

11,751 already enrolled

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4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.3

(173 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 month

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.3

(173 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 month

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

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Specialization - 4 course series

Gain a fundamental understanding of blockchain technology and its components. Learn how such applications as cryptofinance makes use of the blockchain for decentralized, peer-to-peer transaction processing. Apply your knowledge of blockchain technology to enhance your trust and confidence in cryptocurrency trading and other situations where the blockchain is used.

Applied Learning Project

Throughout this course, you'll have opportunities for hands-on practice involving such blockchain elements as cryptography, hashing, and the assembly of blocks. You'll also have a chance to propose new uses of blockchain technologies for industries other than finance. The creative skills you'll learn and practice in this course will be useful both when using blockchain applications and when exploring new opportunities for applying blockchain concepts.

The courses in this specialization requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments:

Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032)

Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

The Blockchain

Course 19 hours

What you'll learn

Begin your exploration of blockchain technologies with a look at fundamental blockchain concepts along with an application in which blockchain technology plays a critical role — cryptofinance. This course also introduces distributed digital systems in terms of software and network architecture, and shows how these systems underlie the functionality of the blockchain. In this and the following courses in the specialization you'll have a chance for hands-on-practice to cement your learning.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Blockchain

Category: Software Architecture

Category: Cryptography

Category: Distributed Computing

Category: Digital Assets

Category: Computer Systems

Category: Data Integrity

Category: Network Analysis

Category: Payment Systems

Category: Peer Review

Category: Transaction Processing

Category: Software Systems

Category: FinTech

Category: Emerging Technologies

Cryptography and Hashing Overview

Course 29 hours

What you'll learn

Continue learning about blockchain technology by diving into the nature of ownership and how the blockchain is one way to approach decentralized transaction handling. This course also demystifies cryptography and hashing, which are critical for authenticating users and guaranteeing transaction privacy.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Blockchain

Category: Encryption

Category: Authentications

Category: Data Integrity

Category: Cryptography

Category: Distributed Computing

Category: FinTech

Category: Emerging Technologies

Category: Data Security

Category: Transaction Processing

The Merkle Tree and Cryptocurrencies

Course 38 hours

What you'll learn

Apply what you have learned about cryptography and hashing in previous blockchain to the Merkle Tree, which underlies the process of adding new blocks — representing new transactions — to the blockchain. This course also introduces the concepts of proof of work and proof of stake, which play an important part in ensuring the integrity of the blockchain.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Blockchain

Category: Network Security

Category: Data Integrity

Category: Data Structures

Category: Transaction Processing

Category: FinTech

Category: Emerging Technologies

Category: Encryption

Category: Cryptography

The Blockchain System

Course 412 hours

What you'll learn

Learn how the blockchain authenticates transactions and distributes data to peers — nodes connected to the network. This course shows you how multiple versions of a blockchain are reconciled into one, discusses blockchain limitations, and delves into organizational applications of blockchain technology.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Blockchain

Category: Data Validation

Category: Transaction Processing

Category: Supply Chain Systems

Category: Emerging Technologies

Category: Data Sharing

Category: Cryptography

Category: Distributed Computing

Category: FinTech

Category: Real Estate

Category: Version Control

Category: Data Integrity

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Instructor

Stefano M. Stefan

4 Courses24,562 learners

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

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Frequently asked questions

16 weeks

A general knowledge of computers and the Internet is helpful but not critical.

Yes — each course builds upon the previous one.

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.