Course objectives

Topics covered

• Classical cryptography: substitution ciphers, polyalphabetic methods, etc.
• Introduction to cryptanalysis: frequency counts, coincidence index, Shannon's theory
• Block ciphers (DES, IDEA, AES, etc.)
• Public-key cryptography (modular arithmetic, systems based on factoring and discrete logarithms)
• Cryptographic protocols (key exchange methods, digital signatures, secret sharing, authentication)

Sections

• Main Lecture: TuTh, 1:00-2:15, B371 Chemistry.

Grading Policy

Homeworks will count for 20% of the final grade, the midterms for 20% each, and the final exam for 40%. If you score 90% or higher, you will get an A; if you score 80% or higher, you will at least get a B; if you score 70% or higher, you will at least get a C; if you score 60% or higher, you will at least get a D.

Homework Assignments

Homework will be set most Thursdays and due the following Thursday. You are encouraged to discuss the exercises with your classmates but the work you hand in should be your own.
• 1st Homework, due Thursday, Feb 6
• 2nd Homework, due Thursday, Feb 13
• 3rd Homework, due Thursday, Feb 20
• 4th Homework, due Thursday, Feb 27
• 5th Homework, due Thursday, Mar 13
• 6th Homework, due Thursday, Apr 3
• 7th Homework, due Thursday, Apr 10
• 8th Homework, due Thursday, Apr 24
• 9th Homework, due Thursday, May 1
• 10th Homework, due Thursday, May 8
The following tables may be of help to you:
• Addition and Multiplication mod 26
• Helpful Statistical Information for Cryptograms

Midterms

In class - Thursday, March 6, and Tuesday, April 15.
• Practice 1st Midterm, no.1
• Practice 1st Midterm, no.2
• Practice 1st Midterm, no.3
• Practice 2nd Midterm, no.1
• Practice 2nd Midterm, no.2

Final

• Final - 2:45-4:45, Thursday, May 15. Soc Sci 5206
• Practice Final, no.1
• Practice Final, no.2
• Practice Final, no.3