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    University of California, Irvine
    Blockchain Specialization
    • About
    • Outcomes
    • Courses
    • Testimonials
    2. Browse
    3. Computer Science
    4. Algorithms
    University of California, Irvine

    Blockchain Specialization

    Stefano M. Stefan

    Instructor: Stefano M. Stefan

    11,514 already enrolled

    Included with Coursera Plus

    •Learn more
    4 course series
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
    4.3

    (170 reviews)

    Beginner level
    No prior experience required
    1 month
    at 10 hours a week
    Flexible schedule
    Learn at your own pace
    4 course series
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
    4.3

    (170 reviews)

    Beginner level
    No prior experience required
    1 month
    at 10 hours a week
    Flexible schedule
    Learn at your own pace
    • About
    • Outcomes
    • Courses
    • Testimonials

    Skills you'll gain

    • Software Architecture
    • Authentications
    • Scalability
    • Transaction Processing
    • Data Integrity
    • Digital Assets
    • Distributed Computing
    • Cryptography
    • Encryption
    • Blockchain

    Details to know

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    Taught in English

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    Specialization - 4 course series

    Gain a fundamental understanding of blockchain technology and its components. Learn how such applications as cryptofinance makes use of the blockchain for decentralized, peer-to-peer transaction processing. Apply your knowledge of blockchain technology to enhance your trust and confidence in cryptocurrency trading and other situations where the blockchain is used.

    Applied Learning Project

    Throughout this course, you'll have opportunities for hands-on practice involving such blockchain elements as cryptography, hashing, and the assembly of blocks. You'll also have a chance to propose new uses of blockchain technologies for industries other than finance. The creative skills you'll learn and practice in this course will be useful both when using blockchain applications and when exploring new opportunities for applying blockchain concepts.

    The courses in this specialization requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments:

    Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032)

    Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

    The Blockchain

    Course 1•9 hours•4.1 (167 ratings)

    What you'll learn

    Begin your exploration of blockchain technologies with a look at fundamental blockchain concepts along with an application in which blockchain technology plays a critical role — cryptofinance. This course also introduces distributed digital systems in terms of software and network architecture, and shows how these systems underlie the functionality of the blockchain. In this and the following courses in the specialization you'll have a chance for hands-on-practice to cement your learning.

    This course requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments: Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032) Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

    Skills you'll gain

    Category: Transaction Processing
    Transaction Processing
    Category: Emerging Technologies
    Emerging Technologies
    Category: Software Systems
    Software Systems
    Category: Cryptography
    Cryptography
    Category: Systems Architecture
    Systems Architecture
    Category: FinTech
    FinTech
    Category: Distributed Computing
    Distributed Computing
    Category: Software Architecture
    Software Architecture
    Category: Blockchain
    Blockchain
    Category: Computer Systems
    Computer Systems
    Category: Payment Systems
    Payment Systems
    Category: Payment Processing
    Payment Processing
    Category: Digital Assets
    Digital Assets
    Category: Network Analysis
    Network Analysis

    Cryptography and Hashing Overview

    Course 2•9 hours•4.6 (49 ratings)

    What you'll learn

    Continue learning about blockchain technology by diving into the nature of ownership and how the blockchain is one way to approach decentralized transaction handling. This course also demystifies cryptography and hashing, which are critical for authenticating users and guaranteeing transaction privacy.

    This course requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments: Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032) Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

    Skills you'll gain

    Category: Transaction Processing
    Transaction Processing
    Category: Emerging Technologies
    Emerging Technologies
    Category: Encryption
    Encryption
    Category: Blockchain
    Blockchain
    Category: Payment Systems
    Payment Systems
    Category: Cryptography
    Cryptography
    Category: Data Integrity
    Data Integrity
    Category: Public Key Infrastructure
    Public Key Infrastructure
    Category: Key Management
    Key Management
    Category: FinTech
    FinTech
    Category: Distributed Computing
    Distributed Computing
    Category: Authentications
    Authentications

    The Merkle Tree and Cryptocurrencies

    Course 3•8 hours•4.8 (26 ratings)

    What you'll learn

    Apply what you have learned about cryptography and hashing in previous blockchain to the Merkle Tree, which underlies the process of adding new blocks — representing new transactions — to the blockchain. This course also introduces the concepts of proof of work and proof of stake, which play an important part in ensuring the integrity of the blockchain.

    This course requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments: Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032) Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

    Skills you'll gain

    Category: Transaction Processing
    Transaction Processing
    Category: Emerging Technologies
    Emerging Technologies
    Category: Encryption
    Encryption
    Category: Network Security
    Network Security
    Category: Blockchain
    Blockchain
    Category: Cryptography
    Cryptography
    Category: Data Integrity
    Data Integrity
    Category: Data Storage Technologies
    Data Storage Technologies
    Category: Verification And Validation
    Verification And Validation
    Category: FinTech
    FinTech

    The Blockchain System

    Course 4•12 hours•4.2 (39 ratings)

    What you'll learn

    Learn how the blockchain authenticates transactions and distributes data to peers — nodes connected to the network. This course shows you how multiple versions of a blockchain are reconciled into one, discusses blockchain limitations, and delves into organizational applications of blockchain technology.

    This course requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments: Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032) Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

    Skills you'll gain

    Category: Transaction Processing
    Transaction Processing
    Category: Emerging Technologies
    Emerging Technologies
    Category: Data Validation
    Data Validation
    Category: Version Control
    Version Control
    Category: Cryptography
    Cryptography
    Category: FinTech
    FinTech
    Category: Distributed Computing
    Distributed Computing
    Category: Scalability
    Scalability
    Category: Network Model
    Network Model
    Category: Encryption
    Encryption
    Category: Blockchain
    Blockchain
    Category: Digital Assets
    Digital Assets
    Category: Data Structures
    Data Structures
    Category: Ideation
    Ideation
    Category: Data Sharing
    Data Sharing

    Instructor

    Stefano M. Stefan
    Stefano M. Stefan
    4 Courses•24,029 learners

    Offered by

    University of California, Irvine

    Offered by

    University of California, Irvine

    Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UC Irvine’s unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities in many ways.

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    Frequently asked questions

    16 weeks

    A general knowledge of computers and the Internet is helpful but not critical.

    Yes — each course builds upon the previous one.

    No, university credit is not available for this specialization.

    Upon completing this specialization, you'll have a descriptive understanding of how blockchain technology works. This will enable you to pursue further study in such areas as computing (e.g. programming blockchain functionality) or build your confidence in applications built on the blockchain (e.g. cryptocurrencies).

    This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

    If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policyOpens in a new tab.

    Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

    Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

    When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aidOpens in a new tab.

    More questions

    Visit the learner help center

    Financial aid available,

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