I am very passionate about teaching Blockchain, Distributed Ledgers, and DeFi at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, where I created a new program in 2024 that covers the relevant concepts and engineering aspects to understand, extend, and build on top of modern blockchain systems. To support learning, the courses come with both, conceptual as well as hands-on practical exercises to master the topics.Â
The formal blockchain eductation program encompasses:
A Bachelor level course
A Master-level course
A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) program
The educational activities extend further to:
Tailored, private workshops for companies in the wider financial industry
Specialized public workshops on current topics in blockchain and DeFi
Please don't hesitate to reach out to explore the possiblitiies to attend a course, attend a workshop or book a workshop for your company. Below you find an overview of the course content as well as a selection of topics we typically cover in our workshops.
The Big Picture of Web3 and Blockchains
Digital Signatures and Hash Functions
Digital Identifiers, Transactions, Wallets & Wallet Security
Merkle-Trees and Merkle-Patricia-Tries
Ledger State: UTxO, eUTxO, Accounts
Case-Studies: Bitcoin, Cardano, Ethereum
Smart Contracts: Ledger Programs
Basics of P2P Networks, Overview of Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake Systems
In-depth Case Study I: Proof-of-Work and Bitcoin
In-depth Case Study II: Proof-of-Stake and Cardano (Nakamoto-style Blockchain)
In-depth Case Study III: Ethereum and Iterated-BFT constructions (Finality-based Blockchains)
Economic Principles of Blockchain Systems, Mechanism Design, Reward Structures, Congestion Handling
The Four Principles of Tokenomics and their appearance in Bitcoin, Cardano, Ethereum.
Current topics in Tokenomics Research
DeFi Classification and Security Considerations (Randomness, Front-Running, etc.)
Custom Tokens (fungible and non-fungible)
Oracles
Stablecoins: Centralized & Algorithmic Stablecoins, Single-Token Designs and Two-Token Designs
Lending
Decentralized Exchanges & AMMs
Modern Layer-2 Tech (Rollups), ZK-Tech, Compliance, Basic Design of Privacy-Coins
Blockchain Fundamentals, Tooling, Applications and Products
Bridges, Trust Assumptions, Constructions
Payment channels and networks, Rollups
Background, designs, constructions
Private Ledgers
Problem Statement, attacks, post-quantum cryptography
Introduction to the programming paradigm
Modeling state-machines, cross-contract messaging, time
Randomness Generation Techniques and Applications
Smart Contract Designs for complex Applications
With workshops with address specific and current needs of the wider financial industry in blockchain technology. The contents can be tailored but a typcial one-day workshop will cover the following focus topics.
The big picture of Web3 and blockchains
Holding, safely storing, and transacting cryptocurrencies
Practical sessions and tooling
How does Bitcoin and how do other systems work?
What is the difference between Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake?
How secure are they and how can I participate?
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Classification and landscape
Selected products and their risk-return structures (Tokens, Stablecoins, Lending, Exchanges)
DeFi in Context: Applications and regulatory context
Assessing currencies, products, services
Assessing blockchain use cases