ClassInfo

CSC 233 Codes and Ciphers

Marcus Schaefer

Office: CDM 749
Winter 2018-2019
Class number: 25259
Section number: 501
TuTh 10:10AM - 11:40AM
CDM 00224 Loop Campus

Summary

This course is an introduction to the science and history of secret writing (cryptography) and how codes and ciphers can be broken (cryptanalysis). In historical settings we will encounter the main ideas and methods devised to secure communication channels. The course counts as a Scientific Inquiry elective.



Texts

Textbook: Craig P. Bauer's Secret History: The Story of Cryptology, CRC Press, 2016. (Available as an ebook through the libraries Safari subscription.)


Grading

Attendance: 5%, Homework: 35%, Midterm: 30%, Final Exam: 30%


Prerequisites

LSP 120 or MAT 130 or CSC 241 or CSC 243


Topics

Substitution and transposition ciphers (Mary, Queen of Scots, Arab Cryptography, Vigenere cipher, Charles Babbage and the Playfair cipher)
Cracking the Enigma and the Mechanization of Cryptology
Public Key Cryptography and Security protocols


Liberal Studies

CSC 233 is approved for credit in the Scientific Inquiry Domain as an Elective course. Courses in the Scientific Inquiry Domain are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn the methods of modern science and its impact in understanding the world around us. Courses in this domain are designed to help students develop a more complete perspective about science and the scientific process, including:
  • Apply appropriate concepts, tools, and techniques of scientific inquiry.
  • Describe how natural scientific, mathematical, and/or computational methodologies function as mechanisms for inquiry.
  • Explain the interaction between the content of their SI-Elective course and other scientific disciplines or the broader society.


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296