Introduction to Cryptography
Instructor: Neil
Sigmon
Phone: 831-5340
Office: Walker
212
Email: npsigmon@radford.edu
Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon
Course
Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon/courses/cryptography/crypthome132.html
Office Hrs: 9:45 – 10:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday,
Friday
2:00
– 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday
(Other times by appointment)
Textbook: Invitation to Cryptology (with Maple), Thomas
Barr.
Class Meeting Times: Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in Russell 032.
Test Dates: To be announced (There will be two major tests and a
final exam).
Final Exam Date: In Class
Part: Monday, December 12th at
2:45 p.m. in Russell 032.
Take Home Part: Due by 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, December 15th .
Grading Policy: 44 % 2 Major Tests
22 % Final Exam
20 % Hand written Homework, Computer Assignments
7 % Term Paper*
7 % WebCT Cryptography Discussion Participation**
* The term paper will be a
short paper (4 pages) 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 Thursday December 1st.
** For this part of the
grade, you will be required to participate in Desire2Learn (D2L) discussion groups. This discussion will include you
communicating with your classmates in groups (preferably using the wireless
capabilities of your laptop) 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. The makeup test
must be taken within one week following the scheduled test. Documentation
is required for all make-ups. Except for extraordinary circumstances, approval
for a makeup test will not be granted if the scheduled test has already been
given.
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.
Attendance means RESPONSIBILITY – I look much more favorably on students
who have good attendance habits.
Textbook Coverage: References to chapter 1, Sections 2.1-2.8, 3.1, 4.1,
4.3, 4.4