CS/ECE/Math 435, Introduction to Cryptography - Spring 2012
Nigel Boston
Contact Information
3619 Engineering Hall, 303 Van Vleck
Telephone: 265-3817, 263-4753.
E-mail: boston@math.wisc.edu
Homepage
Office Hours: Weds 10:45-12:15 (in 3619 EH) and Thurs 10:30-12:00 (in 303 VV); or by appointment.
Text
Eric Bach's course notes can be picked up at Bob's Copy Shop.
Interesting Links
Famous Unsolved Codes and Ciphers
Comic courtesy of Bill Kay
Diaconis article
Stick figure guide to AES, courtesy of John Cabaj
Course objectives
Familiarity with the major algorithms of historical and
modern cryptography as documented in open literature;
knowledge of issues involved in choice of algorithm and
key size; ability to analyze performance of various cryptographic and cryptanalytic algorithms
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: MWF, 1:20-2:10, B239 VV.
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 every Friday and due the following Friday. You are encouraged to discuss
the exercises with your classmates but the work you hand in should be your own.
- HW 1, due Friday, Feb 10
- HW 2, due Friday, Feb 17
- HW 3, due Friday, Feb 24
- HW 4, due Friday, Mar 2
- HW 5, due Friday, Mar 16
- HW 6, due Friday, Mar 23
- HW 7, due Friday, Mar 30
- HW 8, due Friday, Apr 13
- HW 9, due Friday, Apr 27
- HW 10, due Friday, May 4
The following tables may be of help to you:
- Addition and Multiplication mod 26
- Helpful Statistical Information for Cryptograms
Midterms
Final
- Final - 2:45-4:45, Sunday, May 13.
