Faculty Name

Vikram Sorathia and Sanjay Chaudhary

Sections

1

Contact

[email protected]
[email protected]

Office Hours

Tuesday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm

School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Semester

Monsoon 2018-19

Credits

3

Lecture time & Weekdays

Tuesday – Thursday, 17:00 – 18:30

Location

107, GICT Building

Pre-requisites

Data Structures and Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, Database Management System and Operating Systems

Course Description

Blockchain is considered disruptive and game-changer solution in areas that involve multiple stakeholders, each having complex business processes implemented in unique systems and infrastructure; operating in different administrative and geopolitical boundaries. With cross-organization workflows and complex compliance requirements, industry sectors like Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing, International Trade, Insurance, Retail, Supply Chain, Recruitment, Media, Real-estate, and Education etc. can benefit significantly by improved operational efficiency, enhanced security, and transparency offered by blockchain implementation. 

However, Blockchain technology practices and research activities are currently in initial phase and evolving continuously with new tools, technologies, approaches and application strategies. In such scenario, it is difficult for students, researchers or practitioners to get right entry into the subject. This course will be instrumental in developing familiarity with theoretical concepts, underlying technology, tools, implementation strategies and current practices.  The course will offer detailed overview of two major technology stacks, along with detailed technical discussion on application and research areas.

Course Abstract *

This course introduces students to blockchain technology, with detailed technical introduction to two widely used technology stacks i.e. Ethereum and Hyperledger. Course will also offer in-depth understanding of theoretical underpinnings, applications, best practices and research activities.

Course Objectives

• Impart strong technical understanding of Blockchain technologies
• Develop familiarity of current technologies, tools, and implementation strategies
• Introduce application areas, current practices, and research activity

Learning Outcomes

Student will develop clear understanding of

• Blockchain technology landscape
• Applications and implementation strategies
• State-of-the-art, open research challenges, and future directions

Pedagogy *

Classroom lectures and demonstrations

Expectations from Students *

Students are expected to be receptive to new set of technologies, tools, practices and applications and keep-up with the learning by further reading and practice.

Assessment / Evaluation

Mid-semester exam: 30%

End semester exam: 40%

Quizzes/Class participation: 30%

Attendance Policy

As per Ahmedabad University attendance policy

Course Material

1. Blockchain Applications: A Hands-on Approach by Arshdeep Bahga and Vijay K. Madisetti, ISBN: 9780996025560
2. Mastering Bitcoin: Programming The Open Blockchain, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, O'Reilly, ISBN: 9789352135745
3. Ethereum Builder's Guide (Available Online)
4. Hyperledger Composer Documentation (Available Online)

Session No.

Topic Title

Topic & Subtopic Details

Readings, Cases, etc.

1

Blockchain Introduction

Background and evolution of technology

Bahga Ch 1

[Peck-1] [Kruijff]

2

Distributed Ledger

DLT concept, features, benefits and relevance in application

[Narayanan]

3

Security and Privacy

Cryptography, Hash, Permissions

[Narayanan] [Conti]

4

Blockchain Salient Features

Consensus, immutability, traceability etc. in decentralized environment

[Narayanan]

[Chalaemwongwan]

5

Blockchain Technology Landscape

Tools, technologies, technology stacks, standards and practices

[Anjum]

6

Introduction to Hyperledger

Introduction to the project and various components

[Hyperledger-1]

7

Hyperledger Fabric - Part 1

Introduction to Hyperledger Fabric, key components and tools

[Hyperledger-2]

8

Hyperledger Fabric - Part 2

Overview assets, Chaincode, ledger, channels, security and membership services

[Hyperledger-2]

9

Hyperledger Fabric - Part 3

Introduction to consensus, state database, and transaction flow

[Hyperledger-3]

10

Hyperledger Composer - Part 1

Composer overview, state storage, connection profile, assets, identification

[Hyperledger-4]

11

Hyperledger Composer - Part 2

Transactions, events, queries, access control, historian registry

[Hyperledger-4]

12

Business Application Modeling

Introducing modeling language for business resources and transactions

[Weber]

13

Introduction to Ethereum

Introduction to core components and tools in Ethereum ecosystem

Bahga Ch 3,4

14

Ethereum Smart Contracts

Introduction to key concepts related to smart contracts, accounts, transaction events, patterns and examples

Bahga Ch 5

15

Smart Contract with Solidity 1

Introduction to Solidity

Bahga Ch 5

16

Smart Contract with Solidity 2

Developing smart contracts in using Solidity

Bahga Ch 5

17

Dapps

Overview of tools and strategies for development of decentralized applications

Bahga Ch 6

18

Mining storage and Messaging

Setting up mining node for validation, storage

Bahga Ch 7

19

Alternative Technology Stacks

Introduction to alternatives of Ethereum and Hyperledger

[Dinh]

20

Blockchain and IoT

Overview of how IoT can benefit from Blockchain implementation

[Dorri]

21

Blockchain and AI

Discussion of how AI and ML can be applied on top of blockchain implementation for advanced analytics

[Karafiloski]

[Corea] 

22

Blockchain and Enterprise Integration

Discussion on enterprise integration requirements, strategies and solutions to facilitate blockchain implementation

[Weber]

23

Blockchain in Healthcare

Discussion on various challenges in Healthcare domain that can be effectively solved by blockchain.

[Mettler]

[Mertz]

24

Blockchain in Fintech

Overview of how blockchain can be applied in addressing specific challenges in Fintech

[Eyal]

[Nordrum]

25

Blockchain in Asset Registry

Case studies, and potential strategies for blockchain for asset registry

[BitFury]

26

Blockchain in Supply Chain

Current practices, strategies and potential of blockchain in solving business challenges in supply chain

[Caro]

[Bocek]

[Lu]

27

Blockchain in Government

Overview of how blockchain is being used or considered by government organizations in various functions and services

[Diallo]

[Jun]

28

Blockchain in Smart City

Discussion on how blockchain in help realize Smart City vision with specific applications, solutions and strategies

[Lazaroiu]

29

Advanced Topics in Blockchain

Attacks, criticism, potential, current practices

Bahga Ch 10.

30

Research Topics in Blockchain

Introducing current research, challenges being tackled, approaches, future directions

[Peck-2]