CS414
Fundamentals of Blockchain
Faculty
Rowdy Chotkan
Postdoctoral Researcher at Delft University of Technology
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
This course provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to blockchain technology by guiding them through the design and implementation of a blockchain from scratch. Through interactive lectures and a group project, participants develop both theoretical understanding and practical programming skills..
The course covers core concepts such as cryptography, distributed consensus, smart contracts, and incentive mechanisms, while examining how architectural choices affect security, scalability, and decentralisation. It also introduces modern developments, including decentralised finance, Layer 2 solutions, zero-knowledge proofs, digital identity, account abstraction, and modular blockchains.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to understand, evaluate, and build modern decentralised systems.
Learning highlights
- Understand the theoretical foundations and practical applications of blockchain technology
- Explain how blockchain protocols establish security and agreement among mutually distrustful participants
- Evaluate how design choices affect decentralisation, scalability, performance, and security
- Explore modern blockchain applications and infrastructure, including decentralised finance (DeFi), Layer 2 solutions, digital identity, zero-knowledge proofs, and modular architectures
- Develop a practitioner’s understanding of the implementation challenges and limitations of decentralised systems
- Apply course concepts in a group project to design and implement a functional blockchain network
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Blockchain and Decentralised Systems Defined
Session 2
Cryptography and Secure Communication Fundamentals
Session 3
Network Layer and Gossip Algorithms
Session 4
Achieving Convergence Among Strangers
Session 5
Decentralised Consensus Algorithms
Session 6
Security and Liveness of Consensus
Session 7
Beyond Bitcoin: Blockchain Platforms and Systems
Session 8
Scalability Solutions
Session 9
Beyond Blockchain: Distributed Ledger Technology
Session 10
Smart Contracts: Potential and Pitfalls
Session 11
Tokenomics, Incentives, and DeFi
Session 12
Governance and DAO
Session 13
Benchmarking and Testing Blockchains
Session 14
Coding Session & Project Finalisation
Session 15
Final Project Presentations
Course materials
Media
Prerequisites
- Working knowledge of Python, including debugging, testing, and asynchronous programming.
- Basic familiarity with Git and versioning control workflows.
Nice to have: Introductory knowledge of cryptography, distributed systems, or computer networks.
Methodology
The course combines interactive lectures, hands-on coding sessions, and a group project with regular progress reviews. Each group will present its design choices, demonstrate its implementation, and respond to technical questions throughout the course. The course concludes with a final project demonstration and defence.
Grading
Apply for this course
Fundamentals of Blockchain
by Rowdy Chotkan
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
Jul 20 - Aug 07, 2026
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.