Blockchain and DeFi Fundamentals

Through a series of lectures and practical assignments, students will gain a solid understanding of the key concepts in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized applications (DApps).

Acquired skills

  • The student will be able to comfortably discuss and describe the history, technology, and applications of Blockchain (1)
  • The student will be able to assess Blockchain applications in a structured manner (2)
  • The student will be able to present Blockchain concepts clearly and persuasively (3)
  • The student will be able to create an own Crypto token (4)
  • The student will gain familiarity with Decentralized Finance (5)
  • The student will be able to create a decentralized business model and a corresponding decentralized autonomous organization (6)

General information

Course term: 204.08. - 15.08.

Available seats: 11

Price: 950 €

Category: Bussiness & Marketing

Status: Available

Deadline: 30.04.2025

Description

The course will begin with a concise introduction to blockchain, followed by hands-on practical assignments that involve creating wallets, sending cryptocurrency, and developing custom crypto tokens. Students will delve into the inner workings of Bitcoin transactions, Proof of Work, and the role of money in society.

As the course progresses, students will learn about the history of crypto-anarchism, cypherpunks, and the evolution of blockchain technology. They will explore the concepts of tokenization, cryptography, and forks, along with the emergence of DApps and their potential impact on various industries.

Upon completion of this course, students will possess a strong foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, enabling them to explore further opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of decentralization and digital currencies.

The learning goals of the Blockchain Fundamentals course consist of knowledge and practical skills components. We will work according to a ‘Flipped Learning’ methodology. This means that we will create a learning environment in which you, together with your peers, can actively develop your knowledge and skills. You will be put in charge of your own learning progress.

Schedule

  • Day 1Blockchain introduction ● A short, short introduction to blockchain ● Topics to be covered ● Practical assignment 1: create wallets and sending cryptocurrency ● Film: where does Bitcoin come from?
  • Day 2Proof-of-Work and the role of money in society ● How a Bitcoin transaction works ● Introduction to Proof of Work (part 1) ● The role of money in society ● Practical assignment 2: create your own crypto token
  • Day 3Bitcoin philosophy and blockchain 2.0 ● Introoduction to Proof of Work (part 2) ● Crypto-anarchism and cypherpunks ● Introduction to blockchain 2.0 ● Tokenization
  • Day 4Cryptography, dApps and Decentralized business models ● Cryptography ● Forks ● Decentralized Applications ● Practical assignment 4: think of a business idea that can benefit from decentralization, using the Decentralized Business Model Canvas
  • Day 5Proof-of-Stake and Bitcoin whitepaper ● Assessment 1 ● Proof-of-Stake ● Bitcoin whitepaper ● Practical assignment 5: present the decentralized business idea
  • Day 6Finance, Fintech and DeFi ● Finance and Financial intermediaries ● The advent of Fintech ● Decentralized finance and protocols ● Practical Assignment 6: Experiment with lending protocols
  • Day 7Trading and indicators ● Trading ● Indicators ● Practical Assignment 7: Live trading on a real platform
  • Day 8Oracles and Bridges ● Smart contracts and oracles ● The oracle problem ● Bridges and wrapped assets ● Practical assignment 8: Bridge assets between different chains
  • Day 9Token Taxonomy ● Introduction to token taxonomy ● Non-fungible tokens ● Identifying scams and scam types ● Practical assignment 9: Create and trade NFTs
  • Day 10Wrap-up and final Tests ● Wrap-up of the course ● Assessment 2 ● Live Trading competition

Course is running: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 14:00

Download Syllabus

Lecturer

G. Caldarelli & R. Kalvans

CV

University of Turin

Lecturer and Assistant Professor - Researcher on Blockchain

Bio

The course is jointly taught by two lecturers: Giulio Caldarelli and Rodrigo Kalvans.

Giulio Caldarelli

Giulio LinkedIn profile

Giulio Caldarelli is a Post-Doctoral researcher at the University of Turin. His main area of research concerns the role of blockchain oracles in real-world applications such as traceability and finance. He wrote the first book on blockchain oracles and he is cooperating with experts in the field to investigate the history of the Bitcoin protocol.

Rodrigo:

Rodrigo Kalvans is a recent bachelors graduate from Saxion University in the Netherlands, where he studied Software Engineering, alongside the Blockchain Honors Program. During his studies he also gained experience working and interning for a crypto service provider in the Netherlands, building systems for exchange and compliance monitoring.

Rodrigo LinkedIn profile

Course outline

Literature

  • Andreas Antonopoulos, The internet of money, 2016
  • Paul Vigna & Michael J. Casey, The age of cryptocurrency, 2015

Assessments

  • ● Quiz 1 (50%) ● Quiz 2 (50%)
  • Final presentation of a business project website that includes an ICO, a portfolio of what the students have learned, and a short reflection of the main take aways of the course (50%)
  • For every class that a student misses, the student has to make a substitute assignment

Credits

You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course. Please inform the organizing staff if you require any extra supplements, such as Transcript of Records. The student is eligible to receive up to 5 ECTS credits, however please follow the instructions here and consult the acknowledgment process with your university in advance.

Course time total 125 hours

  1. Course runs 2 weeks Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00
  2. Total time of in-class work = 50hours
  3. Preliminary assignment = 10hours
  4. Preparation = 65hours

Price

Course fee includes the course itself, application fee, study materials, afternoon/evening social activities and events, welcome and goodbye drink as part of the graduation party. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, insurance, personal expenses, public transportation ticket, extra activities (such as trips outside of town over the weekend and entrance fees), and required equipment (i.e. pencils, paper for illustrations) are not included in the price.

Please note, after the 30th of April 2025 there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 100EUR on top of the course fee.

Terms and Conditions - Cancellation fees

Costs of living in Prague

Accommodation

For accommodation options, please visit the dedicated page

Prerequisites

  • Required reading material will be provided during the course.
  • English level B1-B2
  • Accessible for students from any background who would like build a strong foundational knowledge of Blockchain
  • No prior coding skills needed

Testimonial

"The ESS prove to be a unique training school, with very high quality teachers. The organization was superb and the team was well organized. There is a wide variety of courses among which you may surely find the most suitable to you. Highly recommended!"