CSSE 490 - Blockchain (and Security)
Spring Quarter 2020-2021
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Instructor: Sid Stamm
Office Address: Moench F216
E-mail: stammsl@rose-hulman.edu
Web Site: https://www.rose-hulman.edu/~stammsl/csse490-blockchain/
Textbooks: NONE!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Course Description:
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other systems rely on blockchains. Blockchain
technology is a distributed, decentralized, secure ledger that allows public
auditing and consensus-based attestation. In this class, you’ll learn about
the technology these platforms are built upon, uses for the platforms other
than virtual currency trading, and the security problems and solutions inherent
in their design. In this class, students will read and present/discuss modern
academic research papers, implement blockchain and smart contract code, and
deploy their work to a shared blockchain platform.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Explain how blockchains, smart contracts, and non-fungible tokens work.
2. Implement a basic blockchain prototype.
3. Deploy smart contract programs on a blockchain system.
4. Identify limitations in a blockchain system and various ways to compensate for them.
5. Exploit security flaws in smart contracts (and then fix them).
Course Requirements:
To earn a passing grade, you will complete written assignments, present one or
more papers relevant to class, coding projects (in pairs) and lab exercises (in
pairs).
Grading:
This class uses specs grading. You will earn tokens based on tasks you
complete while working on assignments, labs, projects, and presentations for
this class. Each assignment will specify what tokens are available and how to
earn them. Students must be able to individually demonstrate satisfaction of
the exercise's requirements in order to earn tokens for those exercises when
working in groups or pairs.
There are four TYPES of tokens: hacker, presenter, coder, and analyst. In
general, you must earn some of each to pass the course.
The "base" level for each type of token is reached when you earn four of that
type of token. You reach the "star" level when you reach six or more of
hacker, presenter or analyst tokens. To reach the "star" level of coder
tokens, you must earn fifteen or more of those.
Letter grades:
* You earn a grade of D when you...
reach the "base" level of three token types.
* You earn a grade of C when you...
reach the "base" level of all four types.
* You earn a grade of B when you...
reach the "star" level of two types AND reach the "base" level of the rest.
* You earn a grade of A A when you...
reach the "star" level of all four types.
Note that earning star levels of two token types is necessary but not
sufficient to earn a B. You must at least achieve "base" of all types to earn
a C or higher.
Please understand that it is not a promise. We will do our best to conform to
the institute-wide grading policy described in the Grade Descriptions section
of the registrar's web page.
https://www.rose-hulman.edu/campus-life/student-services/registrar/rules-and-procedures/grades.html
Reflection Paper:
Students will submit ONE written assignment in which they reflect on their
learning during a guest lecture and relate the lecture to material covered in
class.
Paper Presentation:
Students will be assigned a presentation slot during which they will present
one or more papers to the class. During their presentation, the students will
summarize and present the important points from the reading, answer questions
from the class and their instructor about the material, and lead a discussion
to explore how the material relates to the rest of the course. Students may
also potentially demonstrate the technical bits from the reading, or examine
cases external to the reading that help illustrate the topics.
The rest of the class will be required to read the paper before the
presentation and expected to interact in discussion with the presenter.
Blockchain Implementation:
In pairs, students will implement their own prototype blockchain with all the
basic features of a blockchain like bitcoin. Students may additionally
implement advanced features (consensus, sharding, etc), or identify security
flaws in theirs or other groups' chains. Completed projects will be presented
to the class.
Smart Contract Implementation:
In pairs, students will design and implement a smart contract game in which two
or more players interact using the blockchain. This game will involve a
front-end (javascript/html), a backend (solidity contract on an ethereum
blockchain), and should be straightforward to play. Completed projects will be
presented to the class.
Labs:
In pairs, students will conduct analysis of smart contracts and exploit their
security on a live blockchain implementation. During these labs, students will
be expected to explain the flaw being exploited, exploit the flaw (create and
run code to exploit the contract), and potentially fix the vulnerable smart
contract. "Advanced" exploitation is possible in the labs and additional
grading tokens may be available for more advanced exploits.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is expected.
Good Citizenship
In this class you may learn things to protect but also to exploit flaws systems
for educational purposes. You are expected to act ethically and only use these
skills on systems when authorized by the owners of those systems. This
course in no way protects or exempts you from following policies and laws.
Don't be a jerk or a criminal.
If at any time you are uncertain if something is allowed: stop, think, and ask.
Academic Integrity
Collaboration is required on certain graded work items (team presentations),
prohibited on others (individual quizzes & papers), and encouraged
on the remainder. Copying is not collaboration. Discussing positions or working
out a solution as a group is acceptable collaboration. Each individual is
responsible for understanding the entire solution and explaining their point of
view. You must properly credit your collaborators and clearly indicate the
extent of the collaboration, except where it is obvious. Your instructor may
use a plaigarism detection tool to identify copying or verify that you properly
credit collaborators. Failure to acknowledge collaboration can be considered
cheating and will result in a penalty grade of F in the course. You are
encouraged to talk to your instructor if you have any questions regarding these
expectations.
Late Assignments
Homework and quizzes must be submitted on time to receive credit for them.
Concerns about anything? Got a problem and can't get your assigments done on
time? Come talk to me and we'll work something out!