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MATH30250

Academic Year 2024/2025

Cryptography: Theory & Practice (MATH30250)

Subject:
Mathematics
College:
Science
School:
Mathematics & Statistics
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Eimear Byrne
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The student will learn the essential principles of cryptography, the history of cryptography from ancient times up to modern day, the necessary mathematical background, and the algorithms used to implement these cryptosystems. Topics include: classical cryptography: substitution ciphers, introduction to cryptanalysis, frequency counts, Shannon's theory, block ciphers (DES, AES, etc.) public-key cryptography, modular arithmetic, RSA, discrete logarithm, ECC, cryptographic protocols, digital signatures, secret sharing,authentication.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

This is an introductory module, giving an overall introduction to the theory and applications of cryptography - the science of secrecy. The student will have an understanding of the mathematics and the algorithms behind several well known cryptosystems.

Indicative Module Content:

Classical cryptography: substitution ciphers, introduction to cryptanalysis, frequency counts, Shannon's theory, block ciphers (DES, AES, etc.) public-key cryptography, modular arithmetic, RSA, discrete logarithm, ECC, cryptographic protocols, digital signatures, secret sharing,authentication

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

70

Lectures

24

Tutorial

11

Total

105


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & 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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Written Exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
75
No
Exam (In-person): Class test Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Beatriz Barbero Lucas Tutor
Björn Johannesson Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50