​Course 1/7: Start Here!

​Your entry point into the internals of Ethereum.

​This session kicks off our deep dive into the Ethereum protocol — the system that powers the world’s most battle-tested smart contract platform. If you’ve ever wanted to understand what’s happening under the hood of Ethereum, this is where you start.

​We’ll cover:

• ​What the Ethereum protocol actually is (and is not)

• ​The split between Consensus Layer and Execution Layer

• ​How blocks, transactions, and state fit together

• ​Why protocol development is different from smart contract development

• ​How to approach studying core protocol topics

​This course is designed for aspiring core contributors. We will not cover dApp or smart contract development — this is about the protocol itself.

​Whether you're preparing for the Study Group or exploring the path toward the Protocol Fellowship, this session sets the foundation.

​No prior client experience required — just curiosity and willingness to go deep.