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Stanford University to Offer Cryptocurrencies Course in September Through Cyber Security Program

Last Updated
Lester Coleman
Last Updated

stanford pictureRecognizing the need for advanced engineering to ensure privacy and protection of digital assets, the Stanford University School of Engineering in Stanford, Calif. will offer a new course on this subject in September. The course is called Crypto Currencies: Bitcoin and Friends (CS251). The course will run from Sept. 21 to Dec. 9, 2015.

“The technology behind Bitcoin and other crypto currencies can be an indispensable tool for protecting information,” said Dan Boneh, a professor of computer science at the school who will be teaching the course. Boneh said virtual currency has the potential to revolutionize business payment transactions.

The course will be available online to students enrolled in Stanford’s Cyber Security Graduate Certificate program.

“Stanford is actively working to address the world’s cyber security challenges. It’s an exciting time to study with us and gain vital skills needed for today’s cyber workforce,” said Boneh.

Also read: It’s very expensive to be poor: Stanford professor Susan Athey talks bitcoin with Forbes

Course Focuses On Technical Aspects

stanford-wordmark-red@2xAccording to the course description , the new course covers the technical aspects of engineering secure software, system interactions with cryptocurrencies, and distributed consensus for reliability. Topics also include: altcoins, bitcoin transactions, consensus protocols, cryptocurrency, elliptical curves, hash functions, mining strategies and incentives, proposed bitcoin regulations, Zerocoin and zerocash.

A free webinar to preview the online program will take place Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

During the webinar, Boneh will discuss developments in crypto currency and computer security. Boneh, a cyber security expert, focuses on creating security mechanisms that are easy to use and deploy. He takes an interdisciplinary approach in the process.

Boneh is the co-director of the Stanford Computer Security Laboratory. He participated in the 2015 White House Summit on Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection.

Course Is Part Of A Cyber Security Program

Crypto Currencies: Bitcoin and Friends (CS251) is part of a curriculum that provides a professional, technical and policy view of the challenges created by advancements in information technology. Other online courses in the cyber security program include:

• Computer and Network Security
• Introduction to Computer Networking
• Introduction to Cryptography
• Operating Systems and Systems Programming
• Technology and National Security

Qualifying students can access the program online.

Four courses must be completed to achieve the graduate cyber security certificate. The Stanford Center for Professional Development provides video lectures, course materials and exams.

To enroll in a course or the certificate program, applicants must first complete a non-degree application.
The program will apply to information security managers, web developers, computer network architects and other professionals working in computer occupations.

Information about the online certificate program is available at scpd.stanford.edu .

The Stanford Center for Professional Development helps professionals enroll in Stanford University courses while they are working.

Images from turtix // Shutterstock and Stanford.