Math 139 (Explorations in Cryptology)

Fall 2009

Instructor: Alan Durfee

• Office: Clapp 404B
• Telephone x2299 (with answering machine)
• email: adurfee
• Office hours: TBA

Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00--9:50, Clapp 306. Fourth hour: Thursday 10:00--10:50, Clapp 306.

Note: As well as these web pages there also is an ella site for this course.

Texts:

• Invitation to Cryptology by Thomas Barr (required; this contains the mathematical aspects of the course)
• The Code Book, by Simon Singh (optional; fun to read, gives more background information)
• Codebreaker, by Stephen Pincock (optional; ditto)

Homework: Homework can be handed in during class or put in the envelope labeled "homework to be graded" outside my office door. Homework is due by 5 pm on the due date. Please staple it together. Graded homework can be picked up any time from the envelope labeled "graded homework" on my bulletin board. Homework can be redone and handed in again; the higher score will count.

Math 139 at the 200 level: If you're interested in doing more of the mathematical aspects of this course you should consider taking it at the 200 level. This section will meet once a week at a time to be arranged, and will have weekly homework assignments (and will be excused from some of the regular homework). The requirement for getting credit at the 200 level is to come to the weekly meetings and to do the homework. Topics to be discussed and applied will include matrix algebra, permutations, the mathematics used in cracking the Enigma, learning the number theory behind the RSA cipher in more depth, learning Maple and using it to do the RSA cipher, setting up a public key directory, and DES and Rijndael in more depth. The web site for the 200 level is here.

Graders:

• Last names A-F: Rahel Lippert (lippe22r)
• Last names G-Q: Respina Jani (jani20r)
• Last names R-Z: Michelle Zagardo (zagar20m)

Evening help: TBA

Technology: You should have a calculator (a simple one will do).

Quizzes: These will be anounced in the previous class.

Tests: Friday October 16 and Friday November 20. There will be a self-scheduled final exam.

Grading: The two tests are 30% (15% each), the final exam is 20%, the homework is 30%, and all the quizzes are 20%. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.