In this course we will survey classical and modern cryptography,
including substitution ciphers--monoalphabetic, polyalphabetic, and
polygraphic--transposition ciphers, public-key cryptosystems, and
error-correcting codes.
We'll learn the appropriate mathematics and programming tools as we need
them.
The course will follow a seminar format.
Students will make in-class presentations, solve problems,
program cryptanalysis tools, and complete a paper or project.
Linear Algebra (MCS-221) is a recommended prerequisite
[but a student can succeed without it].
Elementary Cryptanalysis: A Mathematical Approach by Abraham Sinkov,
Mathematical Association of America, c1966
Invitation to Cryptology by Thomas H. Barr,
Prentice Hall, c2002
Both of the above texts are required.
In addition, the following reference book is on reserve:
The Codebreakers: the Story of Secet Writing
by David Kahn, 1967.
This is probably the most complete and accurate encyclopedic history of
cryptography up to the 1960s.
Class meetings
12:30-3:20 MTWRF
Olin 320
Faithful attendance and participation are required.
Course web site
http://www.gac.edu/~holte/courses/mcs223-J04/
Work outside class
January Term is ideally suited for learning by immersion in a single course,
and you will learn cryptology best through the experience of concentrating
at length on the problems and theory of "code breaking." It is recommended
that you spend time out of class in Olin, where you will be able to work
with your team on solving ciphers, to consult with the prof, and to make
use of MAPLE and other computer resources.
Official Gustavus January Term policy: "Student workload, including class
time, outside reading, and other course-related work, will not be less
than 40 hours per week."
Page 31 of the Gustavus Adolphus College Academic Bulletin
states in part:
"The faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College expects all students to adhere
to the
highest standards of academic honesty... In all academic exercises,
examinations, papers, and reports, students shall submit their own work.
Footnotes or some other acceptable form of citation must accompany any use
of another's words or ideas."
The complete statement may be found at:
http://www.gac.edu/oncampus/academics/general_catalog/current/acainfo.cfm.
The following code will be written in full and signed on every examination
and graded paper:
"On my honor, I pledge that I have not given, received, or tolerated
others' use of unauthorized aid in completing this work."
"By enrolling classes at Gustavus, you have taken up membership in a
worldwide community of scholars, and like any community, Academia has ethical
standards to which you are expected to adhere.
You are expected to learn and follow the principles of honesty
and integrity that apply in academic life.
Among those
standards are that you faithfully represent your own work,
acknowledge any borrowing from the work of others,
avoid falsifying data or sources, be respectful of other
scholars' efforts and not interfere with their access to
resources (e.g., by misappropriating or damaging library materials),
do a fair share of the work in group efforts, give others
the benefit of your informed opinions and observations in
discussion, and be respectful of others' values, knowledge,
and feelings while developing your own....
Regrettably, serious and deliberate violations of ethics may
incur serious penalties.... If you are in doubt about whether
your work conforms to ethical standards, please inquire--you are,
after all, a learner."
--John Rezmerski, Advising and Registration Manual 1995-96, pp. 60-61.
A first violation of the academic honesty policy
will result in a zero grade on the paper in
question and a report to the office of the Dean of the Faculty.
A second case will result in a failing grade for the course.
Your grade will be based on the following, assuming satisfactory attendance
and participation in class.
Absences that are not made up may reduce your score by
as much as 5 percentage points per day.
Team solutions of cryptograms
(best 5 of 6 @8% each)