Blockchain is a fascinating technology and is used by major companies today. As there is a difference between the demand and supply of Blockchain Developers, learning these courses can increase your value many folds. Above all, a Blockchain Developer earns around two or three times that a normal Developer. Undoubtedly in this article, I’ll be sharing with you the most preferred Blockchain Development courses at Coursera. It’s a compilation of four Courses called Blockchain Specialization. So have a look at these amazing courses that are absolutely free for learning.
Blockchain Specialization
If you don’t know then a Coursera Specialization is a series of a compilation of courses that help you master a specific skill. This is the main course under which they have 4 courses. these individual four courses aim to develop 1. an understanding and implementable knowledge of basic Blockchain Concepts, 2. Skills that are set for designing and implementing smart contracts, 3. Various techniques and methods for developing decentralized applications on the Blockchain, and 4. Knowledge about current industry-wide Blockchain Frameworks.
Skills:
So through this course, you’ll gain the skills of Smart Contract, Ethereum, Blockchains, Solidity, Cryptography, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Remix IDE, MetaMask client, Decentralized Applications, Truffle IDE.
Course 1: Blockchain Basics
About: It’s a beginner-level course that provides a broad overview of the necessary concepts of Blockchain Technology. In order to lay the foundation for developing applications and programming this course initially explores the Bitcoin Protocol followed by the Ethereum Protocol. Also, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to create Nodes (Over personal Ethereum Blockchain), Create and Unlock Accounts, Mine, Transfer and Transact Ethers.
Modules: This course is divided under the following headings:
- Blockchain Defined {5 videos (Total 26 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes}
- Ethereum Blockchain {5 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes}
- Algorithms & Techniques {4 videos (Total 21 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes}
- Trust Essentials {5 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes}
Duration: Approximately 16 hours.
Offered By: The State University of New York at Coursera.
Course 2: Smart Contracts
About: This is an Intermediate Level Course under the Blockchain Specialization. Firstly this course will teach you to design and code a Smart Contract in Solidity Language. Smart Contracts are the computational element of Blockchain Development Technology. Also, they allow users to implement conditions, rules, and policies of the domain applications.
Secondly, you will learn to test, deploy and execute them in the Remix Development Environment. Also to invoke them from a simple web interface that Remix provides. Furthermore, it features the best practices for designing solutions using Solidity and Remix IDE.
Modules: Following are the modules designed to teach you this course:
- Smart Contracts Basics {5 videos (Total 33 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes}
- Solidity {7 videos (Total 47 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes}
- Putting it all Together {8 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings, 5 quizzes}
- Best Practices {3 videos (Total 16 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes}
Duration: Approximately 16 hours.
Offered By: The State University of New York at Coursera.
Course 3: Decentralized Applications (Dapps)
About: This is also an intermediate-level course that prepares you to design and develop end-to-end Dapps. You will be taught to use Truffle IDE, smart contracts, a simple Web Client, and a MetaMask client.
From basic design, Truffle development process, and commands, test-driven Dapp development, to application models and emerging standards of Dapp. In other words, you’ll learn about the complete architecture of Dapp.
Modules: This course has the following modules:
- Decentralized Applications (Dapps)
- Truffle Development
- Design Improvements
- Application Models & Standards
Duration: Approximately 18 hours to complete.
Offered By: The State University of New York at Coursera.
Course 4: Blockchain Platforms
About: The last course of Blockchain Specialization is an Intermediate level course that requires the knowledge of atleast one high level programming language and of previous 3 courses.
So this provides learners an understanding of the broader blockchain ecosystem. In order to this you’ll be introduced to other Blockchain Platforms, details of two Dapp use cases, and challenges (like privacy and scalability). Futhermore you will learn to discuss permissioned blockchain architectures of Hyperledger and Microsoft Azure’s blockchain as a service model. Also to analyze the Angur and Grid+ Dapp platforms.
The course material also includes IPFS and Hashgraph. Along with that, you will learn emerging challenges in broader blockchain adoption and continuous improvement solutions.
Modules: Below are the modules of this course:
- Permissioned Blochains
- Decentralized Applications Platforms
- Challenges & Solutions
- Alternative Decentralized Solutions
Duration: Approximately 16 hours.
Offered By: The State University of New York at Coursera.
FAQs
Question 1) How to access these courses for free?
Answer: You can enroll and then audit the courses if you want to simply learn.
Question 2) Are you going to receive a Certificate?
Answer: There is a provision of providing a sharable certificate after completion of each course. But if you want it for free you have to apply for financial aid. Tap on the link attached to know more about financial aid.
Question 3) Can you do any one of them instead of all four?
Answer: Yes, one can access all of them individually as well as together under Blockchain Specialization. Secondly, if you are paying the fee or applying for financial aid for the Certificate you’ll receive it accordingly.
Question 4) Will you be making any projects?
Answer: Yes, in a specialization course at Coursera there is always a hands-on project that you mandatorily have to complete before receiving a certificate. Also if the Specialization includes multiple separate courses for the hands-on project, you’ll need to finish each of them individually before you proceed.
Question 5) How will you keep track of your progress?
Answer: Obviously you can track your progress and course enrollment in the learner dashboard.
Question 5) What are the ratings of this course?
Answer: Particularly the “Blockchain Specialization” course, based on 5,311 ratings to date has got 4.6 stars out of 5.
