Course in Bitcoin, Lightning Network and Distributed Systems Technologies

The course in Bitcoin, Lightning Network and Distributed Systems Technologies is an advanced training programme, not a master, dedicated to the technologies behind Bitcoin and distributed systems. The programme covers Bitcoin, the Lightning Network, that is, the fast-payment layer built on top of the Bitcoin network, and distributed systems in general, with the aim of conveying the technical principles of these systems and their applications, without dwelling on purely speculative aspects. Bitcoin and the technologies that accompany it are an area where computer science, cryptography, mathematics and economics converge. The course, promoted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, illustrates how distributed systems and the Lightning Network work, exploring in depth the technical principles that make secure transactions possible without a central authority.

The page does not give the programme in detail, but indicates a theoretical-practical, learning by doing approach. Lectures are combined with practical exercises, coding laboratories, simulations and mentorship from experts. The course is part time, online and in person in Turin, at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, lasts four months and is in English. The cost is €1,900. The page does not give the credits, the detailed structure of the programme, whether there are internships, the start dates or the enrolment deadlines. Teaching is in English and requires basic computer skills, as well as a personal laptop, a sign of a practical approach in which participants work directly with the tools. The part-time format, online and in person in Turin, spread over four months, makes the course compatible with study or work commitments.

The aim is to train technical skills for roles in fintech, software development and the integration of blockchain systems. The course requires a good command of English, at B2 level, basic computer skills and a personal laptop, and is therefore aimed at students, developers and professionals who wish to explore the technology underlying distributed systems. The part-time format makes it suitable for people who work, while the practical part requires constant commitment to programming. The Polytechnic University of Turin is ranked 241st in the 2025 QS world rankings, and the page gives a MasterIN Fingerprint score of 7.4 out of 10. The cost is €1,900 and the course does not award a master's qualification, being an advanced training programme. It is a suitable choice for developers, students and fintech professionals who want to acquire specific skills. The page does not give the start date or the places, which must be requested from the university before enrolling.