Blockchain Architectures and Consensus
Program Overview
CRYPTO 201 examines the technical architecture of major blockchain protocols with rigorous emphasis on consensus mechanisms, network design, and the engineering trade-offs inherent in distributed systems. The program advances beyond foundational literacy to develop systematic analytical capabilities for protocol evaluation.
Students develop formal frameworks for evaluating protocol design decisions and understanding how architectural choices shape system behavior, security properties, and scalability characteristics. The curriculum treats consensus mechanisms not as abstract categories but as specific engineering solutions to coordination problems, each with quantifiable properties and limitations.
The program covers proof-of-work, proof-of-stake, and alternative consensus mechanisms through comparative analysis grounded in distributed systems theory. Students study Ethereum architecture in depth, examine Layer 1 alternatives, and trace the evolution of blockchain design philosophy from Bitcoin's conservative approach through more experimental architectures.
Technical analysis is conducted using formal frameworks including safety and liveness properties, Byzantine fault tolerance thresholds, and economic security models. Students learn to read and critically evaluate protocol specifications, identifying assumptions, attack surfaces, and failure modes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of CRYPTO 201, students will be able to:
- Analyze the mechanics and security properties of proof-of-work consensus including hashrate dynamics, difficulty adjustment, and selfish mining vulnerabilities
- Evaluate proof-of-stake implementations across major variants including chain-based selection, BFT-style finality, and slashing conditions
- Compare Layer 1 blockchain architectures using formal criteria including throughput, latency, finality guarantees, and decentralization metrics
- Assess network topology designs and their implications for propagation latency, eclipse attacks, and peer discovery
- Apply formal frameworks to evaluate protocol security guarantees and identify conditions under which they may fail
- Read and critically analyze protocol specifications and technical documentation
Assessment Structure
Competency is demonstrated through multiple assessment types.
Technical Examination
Rigorous assessment of protocol mechanics, consensus algorithm analysis, and architectural comparison skills. Includes quantitative problems requiring calculation of security thresholds, finality times, and attack costs. Duration: 120 minutes. Open-note format testing application rather than memorization.
Comparative Analysis Paper
Written analysis (3000-4000 words) comparing two or more blockchain architectures using formal evaluation criteria developed in the course. Must include quantitative comparison where applicable, explicit statement of evaluation methodology, and reasoned conclusions about relative strengths and appropriate use cases.
Protocol Design Exercise
Applied exercise presenting a coordination problem with specified requirements. Students must propose and justify design decisions for addressing the problem, explicitly stating assumptions, identifying trade-offs, and analyzing potential failure modes. Evaluated on rigor of analysis rather than novelty of solution.
Progression
Successful completion of CRYPTO 101 is required for enrollment. Advancement to CRYPTO 301 requires passing all assessments with demonstrated competency in protocol analysis. Students must show ability to apply formal frameworks rather than merely describe protocol features. Reassessment opportunities available per institutional policy.
CRYPTO 101
CRYPTO 301
Intended Audience
Students who have completed CRYPTO 101 and seek deeper technical understanding of blockchain systems. Particularly relevant for those pursuing technical, analytical, or research-oriented roles. Beneficial background for protocol development, security auditing, or technical due diligence functions.
Credential Issued
Certificate of Completion — CRYPTO 201
Verifiable through the MIDAS credential registry. Confirms completion of structured coursework and demonstrated competency through assessment.