Instructor: Neil Sigmon Phone: 831-5340
Office: Walker 212 (Radford University) Email: npsigmon@radford.edu
Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon
Course Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon/courses/cryptgovern/crypthome195.html
Office Hrs: Can be made by appointment.
Textbook: Invitation to Cryptology (with Maple), Thomas Barr.
Supplemental Resource: The Code Book, Simon Singh (can be purchased off Amazon.com)
Class Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Grading Policy: 45 % 3 Major Tests
20 % Final Exam (Comprehensive)
20 % Hand written Homework, Computer Assignments
8 % Term Paper/Project*
7 % WebCT Cryptography Discussion Participation**
* The term paper will be a
short paper (5 pages) or possible project (a computer project is an example)
describing a person or cryptographic method pertaining to cryptology. I will
give you a handout later this
semester showing possible topics. I must approve the topic you choose. The paper
should be typewritten
(using Microsoft Word, for example) using 1.5 line spacing and should have good
grammatical structure
with references clearly stated. Do not plagiarize! The term paper will be due on
Friday May 22rnd.
** For this part of the
grade, you will be required to participate in WebCT discussion groups. This
discussion will include you communicating with your classmates in groups in a
secret manner using some
of the cryptographic techniques we study in class. You will have the opportunity
to encrypt and decrypt your
own messages and to break messages sent by others.
Grade Scale: 90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
< 60 F
Prerequisite: High School Algebra
“Makeup” Test Policy: Approval for making up a missed test should be given prior to the scheduled test.
Late Homework Policy:
Late hand written homework will be
accepted but only limited credit will be
given. I consider late homework to be homework turned in later than 5:00 p.m. of
the day the assignment is due.
The maximum number of points a student can receive for a late homework is ten
points lower than the minimum
grade of all students who have turned in the assignment on time. For example, if
an assigned homework is
worth 80 points and the lowest score of the on-time assignments is 60/80, the
maximum grade a student can
receive for the assignment is 50/80. No exceptions to this policy
will be granted except for extreme circumstances
that require official university documentation or a predetermined arrangement
between the student and myself
that is done prior to the assignment due date. Late assignments must be
turned in within one class day of the
assignment due date to obtain any credit.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is a requirement in this class. If you miss a class, you are responsible for
making up any missed work. Attendance will be taken each class period.
Textbook Coverage: References to chapter 1, Sections 2.1-2.9, 3.1, 3.6, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6