Course number and name: CS 10250 Crypt/Blockchain Essential

Credits and contact hours: 3 credits / 3 contact hours

Reference books (recommended): Arvind Narayanan, Joseph Bonneau, Edward Felten, Andrew Miller, and Steven Goldfeder, “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies, A Comprehensive Introduction”. A pre-publication draft of the book is available for download here.

Specific course information

This introduction to the basic theory and practice of cryptographic techniques used in computer security will explore the inner workings of cryptographic techniques and how to use them correctly. It will include consensus algorithms (such as Proof of Work and Byzantine Consensus) and their role in blockchains and cryptocurrencies, cryptographic tools employed in cryptocurrencies (including digital signatures algorithm and zero-knowledge proofs) and trusted hardware in blockchain-based systems.

Prerequisites: No prerequisite

List of topics to cover

1. Cryptography and Cryptocurrencies (Hash function, Digital signature)
2. How Bitcoin Achieves Decentralization
3. Mechanics of Bitcoin
4. How to Store and Use Bitcoins
5. Bitcoin Mining
6. Bitcoin and Anonymity

Course Requirements and Grading Criteria

The course will be graded in accordance with assignments (35%), and midterm exam (30%), and final exam (35%).

• There is a 10%-per-day-late penalty for all assignments unless you communicate with me BEFORE the due dates.

Students with Accommodations

Your academic success is important. If you have a documented disability that may have an impact upon your work in this class, please contact me ASAP. Students must schedule their exams in the testing center if they are eligible to receive extra time per their accommodations. Students must provide documentation of their disability to the Academic Success Center to receive official University services and accommodations. The Academic Success Center can be reached at (856) 256-4259. The Center is located on the third floor of Savitz Hall. The staff is available to answer questions regarding accommodations or assist you in your pursuit of accommodations.

Academic Honor Code

Each student should familiarize him/herself with Rowan University’s Academic Honesty Policy, including definitions of what constitutes a violation of the code as well as subsequent penalties. Violations of the academic honor code include any form of plagiarism, and will be punished with a failure of the assignment at a minimum with possible failure of the course. Plagiarism constitutes any form of copying information from published and unpublished sources without due citation of the source, as well as any sort of copying from other students. In sum, be sure to “give credit where credit is due.” Further, academic dishonesty (cheating) will not be tolerated. Any individual caught cheating or aiding another student cheating will receive an automatic F in the course and his/her name will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for further possible action (i.e., suspension or expulsion).