Math 673.600
Information, Secrecy and Authentication I
Summer 2016
Math 673.600
Information, Secrecy and Authentication I
Course Description
Catalog Description.
Preliminaries; probability, information, entropy, signals, channels: group-theoretic view of messages: contemporary secrecy and digital signature systems; one-time pads, DES, RSA, DSS, wheels, LFSR-based
systems; analog scramblers; key exchange, key management, secret sharing, access structures; measures of
security. Cross-listed with CSCE 673.
Prerequisites.
Graduate classification and approval of the instructor.
Description.
Broadly defined this course is primarily about cryptology. Cryptology is the study of codes, or the art
of writing and solving them. Cryptology comprises cryptography and cryptanalysis. Cryptography is the
science and study of secret writing. Cryptanalysis is the science and study of methods of breaking ciphers.
This course will consider both theoretical and computational aspects of cryptology, with the weighting more
towards the theoretical. Modern cryptology is a multidisciplinary field. Our main mathematical tool is
number theory, which is mostly self-contained in the course.
Major topics include:
• Basic number theory
• Classical cryptosystems
• Modern cryptosystems (including public key cryptosystems)
• A selection of applications and related material.
Instructor and Class Information
Jon Pitts
E-mail: j-pitts at tamu.edu
Homepage: http://www.math.tamu.edu/˜jon.pitts/
Course Information
c 2016 by Jon Pitts
Copyright Page 1 of 2
Math 673.600
Information, Secrecy and Authentication I
Summer 2016
Required Items
• Text. Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory, 2nd Edition by Wade Trappe and Lawrence
Washington, Prentice-Hall, 2006 (ISBN 0-13-186239-1).
• Computer Program. We will use MATLAB. A recent version of MATLAB is available for free for
registered students. You will be provided with the means to sign in remotely. A number of chapters
of the text have MATLAB exercises especially tailored to the content. The authors have prepared a
special package of custom MATLAB routines available for download from the publisher. Please see
page 527 of the text for information.
In order that all students start at the same place in MATLAB, it is highly recommended for students
to practice before class starts by doing all the examples in Appendix C.1 of the text (pp. 528-533).
Basis for Grading
The course grade will be based on graded written assignments. Students will often work in groups and
submit work on that basis. Homework and/or papers will normally be submitted through eCampus.
Course grades will be awarded on the following basis:
• A – Excellent performance in all aspects of the course.
• B – Good performance in the course.
• C – Passing.
• D – Unsatisfactory performance.
• F – Failing
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all
students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation
of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek
complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Academic Integrity Statement
An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. The Honor Council Rules and Procedures
are available on the web at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Course Information
c 2016 by Jon Pitts
Copyright Page 2 of 2