Building with Blockchain for Web 3.0
Advanced Topics in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
INDENG 190E/290 (3 Units)
Class Description
Come learn why Marc Andreessen, creator of the modern web browser, says blockchain is “the most important invention since the internet itself.”
The Web 3.0 movement strives for a next generation of the Internet that champions security, privacy, and openness all while creating an even more seamless experience. Protocols building with blockchain technology are leading this movement, creating platforms that will be the foundation for Web 3.0.
In this course, students will work in teams directly with three leading protocols to build a prototype around a use case of students’ choice, following our theme of Web 3.0. Students will have access to developer support from these protocols throughout the course, and the course will provide technical and entrepreneurial training through the instructor, mentors and guest lecturers.
Students will learn about and understand the motivation behind Web 3.0 and blockchain, dive into and build on these emerging blockchain protocols, gain practical skills while building functional prototypes, and present at an end-of-course "demo day". Teams will also compete for a coveted spot in the SCET Collider Cup and be considered for UC Berkeley’s blockchain startup accelerator - the Xcelerator.
Namely, the three protocols students will be building on are Polkadot (created by the co-inventor of Ethereum, Gavin Wood), Tezos, and Algorand (led by Dr. Silvio Micali, a Turing award winner with his PhD from UC Berkeley).
No blockchain experience is needed. The course will be providing all of the necessary training and support. Students from all majors, across years, both undergraduate and graduate, are welcome. We highly encourage those of a technical background to join, as teams will be building software. Team selection will be guided to ensure they are multi-disciplinary in nature, and a high humber of seats are reserved for those pursuing a technical degree.
Questions regarding course content, etc? Email the instructor, Luke Kowalski, at lukek@berkeley.edu, or the GSI/TA, Sehyun Chung, at sehyun@berkeley.edu.
Luke Kowalski works at Oracle as a corporate executive reporting to one of Larry Ellison’s EVPs and specializes in working across multiple disciplines. Before Oracle, he worked for various startups in technical, design, and business roles, as well as for Netscape's Server and E commerce division. He holds several patents and professional certifications, serves as an ISO representative for US through ANSI and lectures frequently at conferences and universities. His educational background includes advanced degrees from UTA, Pratt Institute, and Columbia University. Luke has worked on information security, physical security, and other aspects of cyber for over a decade. He firmly believes that blockchain has the potential to disrupt established technical and business patterns around the world. It is also a perfect foundation and universal concept for launching a startup. He also has experience with financial ERP apps, where he was one the lead designers and contributors, in addition to working on an acquisition in the fintech space.
Collaborators
Jocelyn Weber
SCET Director
X-Lab and Xcelerator Programs
The Berkeley Haas Blockchain Initiative is a partnership with Ripple to advance academic research and student engagement, technical development and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments.
Related News
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Contact
Contact SCET Academic Program Manager Michelle Lee at lee.2293@berkeley.edu for additional questions.