COMPX364-23B (HAM)

Cryptography and Number Theory

15 Points

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The University of Waikato
Academic Divisions
Division of Health Engineering Computing & Science
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences Office
Department of Mathematics

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Daniel Delbourgo

Daniel Delbourgo
See Moodle
daniel.delbourgo@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: maria.admiraal@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: anne.ferrier-watson@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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An introduction to number theoretic ideas with an emphasis on their applications in cryptography.
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How this paper will be taught

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A mixture of lectures and tutorials, around 4 per week.
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Required Readings

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N/A

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Appreciate the inherent difficulties a cryptanalyst faces from a variety of viewpoints (WA2)
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Design your own tools to break open a variety of cryptosystems in common use (WA3)
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Understand how mathematical problems that are computationally difficult to solve may be of interest to the cryptographer (WA1)
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Understand how Number Theory forms the basis for Cryptography (WA1)
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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There are two streams in this paper: the Mathematics Steam and the Computer Science Stream.

The Mathematics Stream do more theoretical work in the first half of the semester, but will not need to do the final group project (for those doing the MATHS Stream, the "20% Project" mark will be made up of extra Number Theory material).

The Computer Science Stream will do less from the Number Theory half but will have a final group programming project to undertake, which will be assessed at the end of the course.

If you are enrolled in a BE (Hons) degree: Samples of your work may be required as part of the Engineering New Zealand accreditation process for BE (Hons) degrees. Any samples taken will have the student name and ID redacted. If you do not want samples of your work collected, then please email the engineering administrator, Natalie Shaw (natalie.shaw@waikato.ac.nz), to opt out.

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Test 1
20
2. Test 2
20
3. Assignment 1
20
4. Assignment 2
20
5. Project
20
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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