Instructor Information
| Instructor: | Jon Sorenson |
|---|---|
| Office: | Fairbanks 158 (CSSE Department) |
| Phone/Voicemail: | 940-9765 |
| Home Phone: | 280-1168 (before 9pm please) |
| E-Mail Address: | jsorenso@butler.edu |
| Home Page URL: | http://euclid.butler.edu/~sorenson/ |
| Office Hours: | MWF 11-11:50, TR 1-2:30, or by appointment |
Course Goals
This course is an introduction to cryptography, including both theory and practice. Our goal is to cover enough so that you have a firm understanding of what cryptography is, what it can and cannot do, and how it works. Topics include classical private-key cryptography, Shannon's theory, public-key cryptography including RSA, and selected topics from number theory including integer factoring and primality testing.
The suggested prerequisites for this course are at least CS142, and preferably CS248, plus either CS151 or MA205. There will be two programming projects, but the choice of language and platform will be up to you. (The second project will favor Java, however.)
Towards a Liberal Education
Historically, the liberal arts include the Trivium and the Quadrium. In this course we study logic, part of the trivium, and arithmetic (mathematics), part of the quadrium. We also study some grammar, or at least the patterns of human communication, and grammar is also part of the trivium.
Today, the liberal arts are often defined as intellectual skills and general knowledge. So, as a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this course stresses logic and mathematical problem-solving. These are intellectual skills that can apply to all disciplines, and indeed to all areas of life. We will also learn some history and its connection with the development of cryptography.
Course Materials
The required text is Invitation to Cryptology by Thomas Barr, Prentice Hall, 2002. We will cover nearly all of this text, and I will supplement it with additional material in lecture.
All handouts are available (only) through the web pages for this course. The URL is http://euclid.butler.edu/crypto. If you have problems accessing the web pages, let me know immediately (if you say nothing, I will assume everything is fine).
Grades
Your grade will be based on programming projects, quizes (based on homework), and exams as follows:
| Programming Projects (2) | 160 points | (80 pts each) |
| Exams (2) | 160 points | (80 pts each) |
| Homework (7) | 280 points | (40 pts each) |
| Total: | 500 points |
There will be opportunities here and there to earn extra credit points on the homework, programming projects, or exams.
Note that all projects and homework should be turned in to me in hard copy (you may e-mail them for a time stamp).
Penalties: If you e-mail your assignments without giving me a hard copy, I will deduct 2 points. I expect your homework to be typed (you may draw figures, etc. by hand); if not, I will deduct 2 points.
Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale:
| 93% | 90% | 87% | 83% | 80% | 77% | 73% | 70% | 67% | 63% | 60% |
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- |
If the class average is low (say, below 70%), then I may curve slightly in your favor.
For a description of the grading criteria for programming assignments, see the Program Grading Criteria page, which is also accessible from the course home page.
Exams
The exams will likely be take-home. There are assignments that, if you've completed and have a copy of them handy, will make the exams much easier to do. So in particular, for the programming projects, make sure you get your own personal copy of the project when it's turned in.
Late Days
Each weekday that an assignment is late, you are charged one late day. Weekends, breaks, and holidays do not count as late days. You begin the semester with 15 free late days to use (or not use) as you wish. Once you go over this limit, each additional late day costs you 5 points.
Late days are designed to handle normal problems, such as having an exam or major project due in another course, or missing a day or two with a cold, or going to your cousin's wedding. If you have unusual circumstances please talk to me about it as soon as possible.
Partners
You may work in groups of 2-4 on the programming projects, but this is not required. You may work together on the homework, but everyone should turn in their own copy. You must work alone on the exams.
Help
If you have questions or are confused, please feel free to come see me. I do not expect you to learn all the material the first time you see it; if you could do that, you wouldn't need me! You are welcome to visit me in my office anytime my door is open (which is most of the time). If you do not come during office hours, and I have work I need to do, I may ask you to come back later if you can. Don't take this personally. I enjoy teaching, and I like helping students, so don't think you are imposing on me by asking for help. This is my job.
Students with Disabilities
It is the policy and practice of Butler University to make reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. Written notification from Student Disability Services is required. If you are eligible to receive an accommodation and would like to request it for this course, please discuss it with me and allow one week advance notice. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed that the accommodation can be received on a timely basis. Students who have questions about Student Disability Services or who have, or think they may have, a disability (psychiatric, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical, medical, etc.) are invited to contact Student Disability Services for a confidential discussion in Jordan Hall 136 or by phone at extension 9308.
I will be happy to comply with your needs as best as I am able.