CSE1021 – Foundations of Blockchain Technology

Course Snapshot
  • Credits: 3-0-3 (Theory only)
  • Total Hours: 45
  • Quizzes: 45 (auto-graded)
  • Labs: 0
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Anti-requisites: None
Evaluation Scheme
  • CAT-1: 15 %
  • CAT-2: 15 %
  • Digital Assignment: 10 %
  • Quiz 1: 10 %
  • Quiz 2: 10 %
  • Final Exam: 40 %

Course Outcomes (COs)

CO Statement POs / PEOs
CO1 Understand Blockchain ecosystem & services PO1, PO2, PO3 / PEO1
CO2 Analyse DLT & Smart Contract requirements PO1, PO2, PO4 / PEO1, PEO2
CO3 Design end-to-end decentralized applications PO1, PO3, PO5, PO7 / PEO1
CO4 Apply Ethereum platform effectively PO1, PO2, PO5, PO11, PO12 / PEO1, PEO2
CO5 Evaluate protocols & computational needs PO1, PO3, PO5 / PEO1
CO6 Develop a business plan for blockchain apps PO1, PO2, PO3, PO6, PO7 / PEO1, PEO2

Modules at a Glance

1. Foundations
8 hrs
2. DLT
8 hrs
3. Smart Contracts
8 hrs
4. Decentralized Orgs
7 hrs
5. Ecosystems
7 hrs
6. Protocols & HPC
7 hrs

Module 1 – Foundations of Blockchain (Sessions 1-8)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
1.1 Blockchain Architecture Define blocks, chains, nodes Download 5 MCQ
1.2 Design Principles Immutability, transparency, trustlessness Download 5 MCQ
1.3 Consensus Problem & Byzantine Agreement Understand AAP protocol Download 5 MCQ
1.4 GARAY & RLA Models Compare formal models Download 5 MCQ
1.5 Peer-to-Peer Networks Routing, churn handling Download 5 MCQ
1.6 Proof of Work Hash-puzzle, difficulty Download 5 MCQ
1.7 Proof of Stake & Hybrid Models Energy trade-offs Download 5 MCQ
1.8 Challenges & Applications Trilemma, real-world case studies Download 5 MCQ

Module 2 – Distributed Ledger Technology (Sessions 9-16)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
2.1 Origin of Ledgers Trace evolution from traditional to distributed ledgers Download 5 MCQ
2.2 Types & Features of DLT Classify DLT types and analyze key features Download 5 MCQ
2.3 Consensus in DLT Evaluate consensus mechanisms for DLT systems Download 5 MCQ
2.4 Public vs Private Ledgers Compare public and private ledger architectures Download 5 MCQ
2.5 Zero-Knowledge Proofs Apply ZKP concepts for privacy preservation Download 5 MCQ
2.6 Keyless Technologies & Multiple IDs Design identity management solutions Download 5 MCQ
2.7 Transparency as Risk vs Asset Analyze transparency trade-offs in DLT Download 5 MCQ
2.8 Implementation Walk-through Implement basic DLT system components Download 5 MCQ

Module 3 – Smart Contracts (Sessions 17-24)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
3.1 Anatomy of Smart Contracts Define smart contract components and structure Download 5 MCQ
3.2 Life Cycle Trace smart contract deployment and execution Download 5 MCQ
3.3 Usage Patterns Apply common smart contract design patterns Download 5 MCQ
3.4 DLT-based Smart Contracts Design contracts for different DLT platforms Download 5 MCQ
3.5 Healthcare Use Case Develop healthcare-specific smart contracts Download 5 MCQ
3.6 Property Transfer Case Implement property transfer automation Download 5 MCQ
3.7 Ethereum Jargon Master Ethereum terminology and concepts Download 5 MCQ
3.8 Ethereum 2.0 and Future Developments Explore Ethereum's evolution and upcoming innovations Download 5 MCQ

Module 4 – Decentralized Organization (Sessions 25-31)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
4.1 Decentralization vs Distribution Distinguish decentralized from distributed systems Download 5 MCQ
4.2 DAO Concepts Design decentralized autonomous organizations Download 5 MCQ
4.3 DAOhaus & Colony Apply DAO platforms for governance Download 5 MCQ
4.4 Hyperledger Fabric Architecture Analyze enterprise blockchain architecture Download 5 MCQ
4.5 Identity & Policies Implement identity management and policies Download 5 MCQ
4.6 Transaction Validation Lifecycle Trace transaction validation processes Download 5 MCQ
4.7 Fabric vs Ethereum for Enterprise Compare enterprise blockchain platforms Download 5 MCQ

Module 5 – Types of Blockchain Ecosystems (Sessions 32-38)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
5.1 One-Leader Ecosystem Analyze centralized leadership models Download 5 MCQ
5.2 Consortia Ecosystems Design consortium-based blockchain networks Download 5 MCQ
5.3 Regulatory Ecosystems Evaluate regulatory compliance frameworks Download 5 MCQ
5.4 Leaders & Core Group Roles Define stakeholder roles and responsibilities Download 5 MCQ
5.5 Active Participants & Users Classify user types and engagement models Download 5 MCQ
5.6 Third-Party Service Providers Integrate external service providers Download 5 MCQ
5.7 Governance Frameworks Develop blockchain governance structures Download 5 MCQ

Module 6 – Blockchain Protocols and High-Performance Computing (Sessions 39-45)

Session Title Learning Objectives Material Quiz
6.1 Ethereum Tokens Apply Ethereum token standards and protocols Download 5 MCQ
6.2 Augur & Golem Case Studies Analyze decentralized application architectures Download 5 MCQ
6.3 App Coins vs Protocol Tokens Distinguish token types and use cases Download 5 MCQ
6.4 Token Securities Law Framework Evaluate legal compliance for token projects Download 5 MCQ
6.5 Token Sale Structure Develop business models for blockchain apps Download 5 MCQ
6.6 HPC Clusters & Data Provenance Implement high-performance systems with data integrity and provenance tracking Download 5 MCQ
6.7 Blockchain Software Evaluation & Mock Workload Evaluate blockchain systems performance and implement testing frameworks Download 5 MCQ

Assessment & Outcome Matrix

Component Weight CO Coverage Details
CAT-1 15 % CO1, CO2 Sessions 1–15
CAT-2 15 % CO3, CO4 Sessions 16–31
Digital Assignment 10 % CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6 Comprehensive blockchain project
Quiz 1 10 % CO1, CO2, CO3 Modules 1-3 coverage
Quiz 2 10 % CO4, CO5, CO6 Modules 4-6 coverage
Final Exam 40 % All Comprehensive Modules 1-6 coverage

Gradebook

Help & Resources

Textbooks & References
  • Mastering Blockchain – Imran Bashir
  • Blockchain Basics – Daniel Drescher
  • Ethereum Yellow Paper
  • Hyperledger Fabric Docs
Support

Instructor: Dr. Guruprakash J

Office Hours: Mon - Sat 8AM – 8PM

Email: guruprakash.j@vitap.ac.in

Forum: WA-Groups