COMP47890 Applied Cryptography

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module provides an introduction to the field of cryptography, with an emphasis on modern techniques currently used in the real world. The module is meant to be as accessible as possible in terms of its mathematical content.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the fundamentals of the major algorithms used in modern cryptography
• Understand the practical deployment of such algorithms
• Use cryptographic tools and techniques to encrypt, decrypt and sign messages
• Identify attacks and vulnerabilities in cryptographic systems, and their countermeasures
• Explain multi-step security protocols

Indicative Module Content:

• Introduction and basic concepts
• Hash functions: SHA
• Message authentication codes (MAC)
• Modern symmetric-key encryption: AES, modes of operation, AES-CBC-HMAC
• Key exchange: Diffie-Hellman
• Asymmetric-key encryption: RSA
• Digital signatures: public key infrastructure (PKI), RSA signatures
• Randomness
• Protocols: secure transport (SSL, TLS), end-to-end encryption, user authentication

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18

Tutorial

18

Autonomous Student Learning

72

Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; Reflective learning; Problem-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Practical assignments and online quizzes Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

100


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.