Course Information

Course: Mathematics 390 A Topics: Cryptography, Spring 2007, Central College .
Professor: Tom Linton office: 129 VSC, phone: (641) 628-5264 email: lintont@central.edu
Office Hours:  Mon 11-11:50 AM, Tues 3-3:50 PM, Wed 1-1:50 PM, Fri 9-9:50 AM, or by appointment.
Class Meets: T-TH 8:00-9:15 AM in VSC 143.
Text: Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory 2nd Edition, by Trappe & Washington.
Technology: We will utilize Mathematica, MATLAB, Java (or other programming languages), Excel and-or calculators on a regular basis. Minimal prior knowledge of these technologies is assumed. The class web page is located at the URL http://pages.central.edu/emp/lintont/classes/spring07/cryptoframeset.htm. This course has a site on Central's Blackboard server (http://my.central.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp), and information relevant to this course may come via email. You should regularly check your Central email and the class web pages for information related to this class.
Cumulative Final Exam:  Tuesday, May 8, 10:30 AM.

Class Overview
Cryptography refers to writing, using various methods to keep the message a secret, as well as more modern applications (like web security, user authentication, etc.) of these methods. Cryptanalysis is the science of attacking secret messages or decrypting ciphers. The term cryptology encompasses both directions (making the codes and breaking the codes). We will study various aspects of cryptology in this class, focusing on the mathematical aspects. We will start with an overview of cryptography introducing some basic terminology and a brief historical summary of the field. We will then look at classical cryptography systems and develop the mathematics necessary to understand them. The course will end with a look at some of the modern cryptographical systems and their related notions.

Goals for the Course
Upon completing this course, students will:

Americans with Disabilities Act
Central College abides by interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that stipulates no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap."  Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing, sight, or mobility impairments, and other health related impairments.  If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class for which you may require accommodations, please see me and Nancy Kroese, Director of Student Support Services and Disabilities Services Coordinator, (x 5247) during the first two weeks of the semester so that such accommodations may be arranged.

Grades

Exams
There will be two 100 point midterm exams. These exams will occur approximately on the dates February 22 (exam 1) and April 5 (exam 2). We will also have a 150 point cumulative final exam at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

Homework and Activities
I will collect homework assignments regularly (every week or two). Recording "just the answer" will receive little or no credit. You should show and/or explain your work on all assignments for this class. You are encouraged to work together on homework assignments, but this does NOT mean copying the work of others nor answers from a solution set.  We will complete several activities (mostly in groups), some in-class, others may be out of class. These activities will involve the current topics of the course and normally replace a lecture.

Quizzes
We may have occasional (every other week or so) quizzes which will normally be announced beforehand.

Class Participation and Attendance
There will be 50 points of your final grade based on your class participation (asking questions, taking part in discussions, contributing to your group in activities, etc.) and attendance. I will determine your score for these 50 points. You are responsible for all of the material covered in class each day, even if you are not present.

Course Grades
Grades, based on the letter, or A, A-, B+, B, B-, . . . system, will be based on a weighted curve of the points in the class. The curve used will be the traditional 100-93 A, 92-90 A-, 89-88 B+, etc. (or an easier curve). The breakdown of points in the class is given below. There is no extra credit for this class. You are encouraged to work together on group assignments (including homework), but copying answers of others (including those in the back of the text) will result in no credit.  We expect you to uphold Central's Academic Honesty Policy given below.
 

Each of Exams 1 & 2
2 x 100
Final Exam
150
Homework, Activities, Quizzes
350
Class Participation
50
Total Points
750
Late assignments and academic dishonesty
Mock Trial participants, choir tour participants, athletes, and others who must miss a class for participating in a college sanctioned event are expected to notify me in advance and complete work including tests in advance of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with me well in advance regarding their absences and determine a schedule for make up work.

Each student will receive four "days" of allowed (penalty free) late assignments. An assignment is late "one day" if it is turned in after I collect it, up to the following lecture period, at which point the 2nd late day begins, and runs up to the next class period, etc. Other than the four days of penalty free lateness, there is no credit for late work. Quizzes missed due to unexcused absences can NOT be made up. I am fairly flexible about giving exams at alternate times, BUT you should definitely warn me before the exam is missed, and plan on taking it early rather than late.

Plagiarism and cheating of any form are serious offenses and may result in an F for the assignment, the course, or expulsion from the college.  The details of Central's Academic Integrity policy are found in the Student Handbook, on the web. A copy will be sent to you via e-mail during the first week of the semester. It is your responsibility to read and understand the contents of that policy before you submit work to be graded. Questions regarding the policies and enforcement of the policies may be addressed to me during class or during office hours.

Class Materials

MATLAB Files

The textbook's matlab files in zip format and as single files.

Mathematica Files

The textbook's Mathematica notebook.

Java Applets

An applet for calculating gcd(a,b) and finding the coefficients to expess gcd(a,b) as a*x + b*y.

Schedule

Relevant information will be added to this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date version is available on line at http://pages.central.edu/emp/lintont/classes/spring07/crypto/index.htm#schedule and on Blackboard.
 

Week
Dates
Sections
Assignment & Due Date
1
Jan 16, 18
Ch 1, 3.1 to 3.3
Read Ch 1 and sections 3.1 to 3.3
2
 Jan 23, 25
 2.1, 2.2
  
17
Tues May 8
10:30 AM
Cumulative 150 Point Final Exam