Description: This course will describe the basic principles of cryptography and how it is used in modern computer and communication systems. It will cover simple ciphers, modern ciphers, public-key cryptography, key management, cryptanalysis, and steganography. Students will learn how cryptography is used for message secrecy, integrity, authentication, and digital signatures. Application areas to be discussed include e-mail, files, network communications, and electronic payments. Students need some math and computer skills.
Time/Location: T 4:15-6:45 pm, WGR 208, Spring 2002, 3 credits.
Professor: Dorothy E. Denning, denning@cs.georgetown.edu, Reiss 240, 202-687-5703.
Midterm: Tuesday, March 12 in class. This counts 20% of the grade. It will be multiple choice or short answer.
Final: Tuesday, May 7, 4:00-6:00 PM. This counts 30% of your grade. It is cumulative and will be multiple choice or short answer.
Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments, some of which will require use of a computer. We will go over them in class, so they must be done in time and brought to class to get full credit. Unless otherwise noted, you may consult with other students on the homework, but you must turn in your own paper and you should not copy another student's answers. Homework and class participation counts 50% of your grade.
Texts: Bruce Schneier, Applied Cryptography, Wiley, 2nd ed., 1996. H. X. Mel and Doris Baker, Cryptography Decrypted, Addison-Wesely, 2001.
Course Materials: Located on the Web at http://www.cs.georgetown.edu/~denning/cosc350.