EE374: Blockchain Foundations
Logistics and Details
Administrativia
Extended course information is available here.
Meeting Times
Tuesday, Thursday 1:30-2:50 PM
Gates B12
Course Description
Blockchains are a new field of computer science which combines cryptography, distributed systems, and security. In this course, we dive deep into the fundamentals: what are blockchains, how do they work, and why are they secure?
You will learn both the theory behind blockchains and how to implement them in practice. The lectures, as well as the midterm and final, will dive deep into the robust construction of proof-of-work and proof-of-stake blockchains. The problem sets will focus on the implementation of a blockchain node from scratch.
While in the EE department, this course also counts as a CS elective.
Prerequisites
Strong programming experience
CS103, or CS103B or related course on discrete math
CS109, MATH151, STATS116, or EE178 or related course on probability
Grading
The grade for the course will be determined according to the following breakdown:
- Programming Exercises: 40%
- Theory Exercises (meant to help with exam studying): 5%
- Midterm: 20%
- Final: 35%
Course Textbook
The course textbook containing lecture notes is available here. It will be updated throughout the quarter.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns and are enrolled in the course, please reach out on Ed at https://edstem.org/us/courses/31092/discussion.
Otherwise, please reach out to dionyziz@stanford.edu.
Archived Course Versions
Spring 2022: https://web.stanford.edu/class/ee374/old.html
Winter 2021: https://web.stanford.edu/class/archive/ee/ee374/ee374.1214
Syllabus
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Finals Week
Teaching Team
Dr. Dionysis Zindros
Instructor
dionyziz@stanford.eduOffice Hours:
Tue 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wed 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Packard 202
Scott Hickmann
Teaching Assistant
hickmann@stanford.eduOffice Hours:
Wed 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: Packard 202
Kenan Hasanaliyev
Teaching Assistant
kenanhas@stanford.eduOffice Hours:
Mon 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Location: Packard 202