ESHP 491 Sec 001: Blockchain Foundations and Applications

Much like the Internet in the 1990s, blockchain is expected to become a critical technology platform that will underpin some of the most transformative and disruptive innovations ranging from cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) to contract law to privacy to crypto security. This comprehensive course on both the technology behind blockchain and the multiple opportunities for its application will give students an excellent foundation into understanding what blockchain is and how it is applied. The course will be a series of lectures and interactive sessions taught by faculty from different departments as well as many guest lecturers. Class participation will be a significant component of the overall grade, and a group project will be assigned. Students will be expected to identify an application of blockchain technology and then develop a business model for it, culminating in a presentation to the class and paper which documents the business need. Students seeking more information may contact the instructor at nkane@msu.edu.