Key facts
Details for course being taught in current academic year
Level M - 15 credits - spring term
E-learning links
Resources
Course description
Course outline
Cryptography is the study of mathematical techniques related to aspects of information security. The course will cover the following areas:
. Symmetric-key cryptosystems
. Hash functions and message authentication codes
. Public-key cryptosystems
. Complexity theory and one-way functions
. Primality and randomised algorithms
. Random number generation
. Elliptic curve cryptography
. Attacks on cryptosystems
. Quantum cryptography
. Cryptographic standards
Learning outcomes
1 Understand the difference between symmetric-key and public-key cryptography
2 Be familiar with a range of cryptosystems, including AES, RSA and DSA
3 Have an awareness of some recent developments in cryptography
4 Know the requirements of various cryptographic standards (FIPS, Common Criteria, etc)
Library
(1) D. J. A. Welsh, Codes and Cryptography, Oxford 1988
(2) D. R. Stinson, Cryptography Theory and Practice, Chapman and Hall/CRC
(3) A. J. Menezes, P. C. van Oorschot, S. A. Vanstone, Handbook of Applied Cryptography, CRC Press 1996
(4) B. Schneier, Applied Cryptography, John Wiley and Sons 1995
(5) N. Ferguson and B. Schneier, Practical Cryptography, John Wiley and Sons 2003
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 20.00% | |
| Exercise | Spring Week 3 | 20.00% |
| Exercise | Spring Week 5 | 20.00% |
| Exercise | Spring Week 7 | 20.00% |
| Exercise | Spring Week 9 | 20.00% |
| Exercise | Spring Week 11 | 20.00% |
| Unseen Examination | Summer Term (2 hours) | 80.00% |
Resit mode of assessment
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Summer Vacation (2 hours ) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
Teaching methods
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Term | LECTURE | 3 hours | 1111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.