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Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


CM30173: Cryptography

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: CM30173 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CM10196 and take CM20217 and take CM20218 or have an elementary knowledge of number theory, as in chapters 1-2 of Davenport The Higher Arithmetic, or CM10139 Computation 1: numbers & structures and 20144, or MA10001 Numbers (and for transitional arrangements an elementary knowledge of number theory, as in chapters 1-2 of Davenport The Higher Arithmetic, or CM10139 Computation 1: numbers & structures and 20144, or MA10001 Numbers).
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To introduce students to the techniques, tools and pitfalls of cryptography (including authentication etc.).

Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will understand the basic mathematics behind private-key and public-key cryptography;
2. Students will be able to describe several well-known techniques for cryptographic security and authentication.

Skills:
Application of Number (T/F, A), Problem Solving (T/F).

Content:
Introduction to the problem: security, privacy, authentication, repudiation, revocation. The key distribution problem: public vs private keys. The mathematics of cryptography: Fermat-Euler Theorem, structure of finite fields and elliptic curves. Cryptographic algorithms: Diffie-Hellman, RSA, El-Gamal. Cryptanalysis: discrete logarithms, factoring. The Coppersmith attack. Elliptic Curve analogues. Private-key algorithms: DES, 3DES and AES. Common hashing algorithms: MD5, SHA-1. Characteristics of safe keys. Using cryptography: digital signatures: how to find the public key.Repudiation and revocation, examples in practice: PGP, digital certificates.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

CM30173 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Computer Science
  • USCM-AFB01 : BSc Computing (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCM-AKB01 : BSc Computing (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AFB06 : BSc (hons) Computer Science (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCM-AKB07 : BSc (hons) Computer Science (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AKB15 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with French Language (with Industrial Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAB15 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with French Language (with Study Year Abroad) (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCM-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with German Language (with Industrial Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAB16 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with German Language (with Study Year Abroad) (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCM-AFB13 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCM-AKB14 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Mathematics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAB14 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Mathematics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCM-AKB17 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Spanish Language (with Industrial Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAB17 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Spanish Language (with Study Year Abroad) (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAB07 : BSc (hons) Computer Science with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCM-AFM01 : MComp (hons) Computer Science (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCM-AKM02 : MComp (hons) Computer Science (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCM-AAM02 : MComp (hons) Computer Science with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB13 : BSc (hons) Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB14 : BSc (hons) Mathematics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB14 : BSc (hons) Mathematics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Statistics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Statistics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB06 : BSc (hons) Statistics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath Mathematics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
Department of Physics
  • USPH-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USPH-AAB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.