DM854: Cryptology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N340049112, N340049102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N340049101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 25-03-2019
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree in computer science, mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematics-economy or comparable.
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of basic linear algebra
- Be able to understand and write proofs, use basic probability, and analyze algorithms.
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand and work with the concepts in cryptology, including cryptosystems, cryptanalysis, and protocols, which is important in regard to data, computer, and network security.
The purpose of this course is to study cryptology, which is cryptography plus cryptanalysis - the creation of secret codes and the possibilities for breaking them. We will also study cryptographic protocols for the security of information. Many of the newer cryptosystems and cryptographic protocols are based on number theoretic problems, so these number-theoretic problems and algorithms for them will also be discussed in this course, as will some of the algebra necessary for understanding them. Cryptology has many applications including sending private messages, enabling commerce over the Internet (through encryption of credit card numbers, electronic money, secure methods for electronic signatures on documents, etc.), authentication such as PIN codes for Dankort and logins, and secret sharing (requiring that k out of m people participate before some sensitive action can occur).
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses DM549 Discrete Methods for Computer Science or MM537 Introduction to Mathematical Methods, DM551 Algorithms and Probability or MM541 Combinatorial Mathematics, DM507 Algorithms and Data Structures, and DM553 Complexity and Computability or MM539 Algebra 2.
The course gives an academic basis for writing a Master's thesis in cryptology.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Describe, analyze and solve advanced problems in cryptology using the learned models
- Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various cryptographic methods
- Be able to understand and with a scientific basis reflect on the principles and mathematics behind cryptologic systems
- Give expert knowledge about cryptology, which is based on the highest level of international research
- Give knowlede about a variety of specialized models and methods developed in cryptology, based on the the highest level of international research, including subjects from
- Develop new variants of the methods learned, where concrete problems require it
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Decide which symmetric or public key cryptosystem is most appropriate for a given application
- Analyze and implement cryptosystems, functions, and protokols, together with techniques for breaking them
- Do the calculations relevant for the cryptographic systems, functions and protocols, which are covered
- Prove that cryptographic systems, functions and protocols are correct and secure/insecure
- Do simple proofs involving algebraic objects that are relevant in cryptology
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Classical cryptosystems
- Information theoretic security
- Stream and block ciphers
- Hash functions and message authentication codes
- Public key cryptosystems, digital signatures, key exchange
- Protocols such as secret sharing and zero-knowledge knowledge
- Relevant topics from algebra
Literature
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
Mandatory assignments
EKA
N340049112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N340049101, DM854: Cryptology |
Tests
Oral examination
EKA
N340049102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
10
Additional information
Oral exam as well as three assignments handed in during the course. The grade is based on an overall impression of the elements included in the evaluation.
One assignment must be solved independently, while the other two can be solved in groups of up to 3 people. Assignments, along with selected topics from the course, form the basis for the oral exam. The external examiner will have the opportunity to see the answers to the three assignments.
Re-examination in the same examination period or immediately thereafter. The re-examination is a oral examination assessed by the grade according to the 7-point grading scale and external co-examination.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
- Intro phase (lectures, class lessons) - 36 hours
- Training phase: 36 hours, including 36 hours tutorials
Activities during the study phase:
- Use of the acquired knowledge in projects
- Summary of scientific articles/book chapters
- Experiments in Maple