Course unit details:
Cryptography
Unit code | COMP61411 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Department of Computer Science |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
Cryptography is a vital component of modern electronic security technologies.
Aims
The course aims to give students a good appreciation of cryptographic techniques, as they have arisen historically, and as they are used today.
Learning outcomes
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Comment on the broad principles underlying cryptography and its applications.
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Describe some of the classical cryptographic techniques and their weaknesses.
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Describe the principles of the most widely used private key cryptographic schemes.
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Describe the principles of the most widely used public key key cryptographic schemes.
Syllabus
- Early cryptography: permutations and substitutions, Vignere, Vernam, one time pads, etc.
- Rotor machines: Enigma and its relatives.
- Case study: Marian Rejewski and the breaking of the German Enigma.
- Modern cryptography, secret key: block cyphers, DES, AES, etc.
- Modern cryptography, public key: Diffie-Hellman, RSA, elliptic curves.
- Message authentication, hash functions.
- Quantum cryptography: quantum key distribution in practice.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem solving
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written exam | 70% |
Written assignment (inc essay) | 30% |
Feedback methods
Feedback is provided face to face in the lab, and online for uploaded assessed materials.
Recommended reading
COMP61411 reading list can be found on the Department of Computer Science website for current students.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 20 |
Practical classes & workshops | 15 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 113 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Richard Banach | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Links to course unit teaching materials can be found on the Department of Computer Science website for current students.