Introduction to Blockchain Technology and Applications

Blockchain technology is essential to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto currencies, but its applications go far beyond that. In this four-week Blockchain course, University College London (UCL) Centre for Blockchain Technologies introduces the mechanics of blockchain and explores what they can achieve.

By the end you’ll understand how blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) can be used to solve diverse business problems, going far beyond financial concerns.

Course Key Learnings

Explain what problems blockchains solve
Describe what the properties of a blockchain system are
Demonstrate knowledge of the key stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem
Compare decentralised and centralised systems, what the pros and cons of both are and why decentralisation is a key property of a blockchain
Explain how blockchains could be used for payments
Describe how cryptography and consensus mechanisms are used in blockchain systems
Demonstrate knowledge of how blockchain can be used in supply chains

Course Outline

What is blockchain?

What problems does blockchain solve?

Who’s involved?

bright blockchain future!

End of week wrap-up

Decentralized finance (DeFi) and the role of crypto currency in payments

Problems with payments and decentralization

Decentralization versus centralization

Blockchain payments and cryptography

Consensus, DeFi and meet Ripple

Applications of blockchain outside of finance

business evolves
Smart contracts
Blockchain and supply chain
The UCL CBT framework

Benefits of blockchain and crypto currencies

What can we trust?
Proving provenance
Further applications of blockchain
End of the course reflection

Technology

Introduction and class policies
Introduction to current centralized systems
Structure of Blockchain
Examples of Blockchain

Principles

Blockchain Technology
Nodes and different networks of Blockchain
Verification process
Proof of Stake vs. proof of work
Encryption

Blockchain Hype

Blockchain beyond the Hype
What is cryptocurrency?
Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFT, and DeFi
Smart Contract concept
Financial and non-finical applications of Blockchain

Cybersecurity and Blockchain

Cybersecurity and Blockchain
Advantages of using Blockchain in Cybersecurity
Disadvantages of using Blockchain in Cybersecurity

IOT and Blockchain

IoT and Blockchain Challenges and Risks
Scalability issues
Processing power and time Storage

Blockchain Technology

Myths about Blockchain Technology
Blockchain and AI
Blockchain and Digital Transformation

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in blockchain technology and its application to business problems. Those considering a career in the field or executives exploring business use of blockchain will benefit from this comprehensive introduction.