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CS 601.641/441: Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies (Spring 2021)

Overview: This course will cover blockchains and their applications to cryptocurrencies and beyond. Topics include blockchains, Bitcoin and altcoins, smart contracts and recent applications such as decentralized finance. Relevant cryptography background will be covered.

Administrative:

Instructor: Abhishek Jain

• Email: abhishek at cs.jhu.edu

Time: 1:30pm-2:45 pm Monday and Wednesday

• Instructor Office Hours: Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 am (Online)
• TA Office Hours: Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 am (Online, same as course zoom link)
• CA Office Hours: Fridays 3-5 pm (Online, zoom link on piazza)
• Grading: Project (45%), Assignments (45%), Participation (10%)

Teaching Assistant: Pratyush Ranjan Tiwari

• Email: ptiwari4 at jhu.edu

Course Assistant: Trenton Wang

• Email: ywang382 at jhu.edu

Discussion Board: [Piazza] (piazza.com/jhu/spring2021/601641441)

Homeworks and project submissions: via Gradescope (Entry Code: BPKGR2)

All course announcements will be made via Piazza, including class cancellations and assignment date changes. Please post questions and queries on Piazza, and expect a response within 48 hours.

Texts

Some portions of the course will use Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies by Narayanan, Bonneau, Felten, Miller, Goldfeder (NBFMG). Additional reading material will include recent research papers (links will be provided).

Course Syllabus and Assignments

• Course syllabus page (includes reading and assignment due dates)
• Assignments (will be updated when assignments are available)
• A list of project ideas (will be updated soon)