FRS 004 — Sec. 003 — (2 units) — CRN 92654 — W 6:10-8:30pm — 1 Olson
Introduction to Cryptology

Instructor: Kurt Kreith, Department of Mathematics, College of Letters and Science

Description: The ability to transmit information in confidence has been a coveted goal since Roman times. Now, in the computer age, the security of internet transactions is essential to the conducting of business on-line. Making use of a recent book In Code, this course will deal with the evolution of cryptology and various forms of public key encryption. Central to these techniques is the use of computer technology to generate large prime numbers and the fact that factoring large numbers into the product of primes can be a daunting task. Relying only on arithmetic, a variety of techniques for encoding and decoding text will be developed. These will call for a reexamination of familiar concepts from arithmetic and algebra. Spreadsheets will then be used to mechanize various encryption and decryption procedures. Students will encounter applications of familiar mathematics that are very different from those encountered in their regular coursework. They will also develop computer skills that can prove valuable in a variety of situations.

Format: The seminar will meet in a computer lab (e.g., 1 Olson) weekly for three hours, plus 2 hours of independent work and reading during the week. Each session will begin with a discussion of readings from In Code and an explanation of the mathematics called for in the reading. Spreadsheets will then be used to implement mathematical procedures in a coding context. Students will be required to develop a final project that uses spreadsheets (or some other form of programming) to describe or develop a form of encryption. At our final meeting this project is to be presented to the entire class. Grading: Half the grade will be based on the final project and presentation. The other half will be based on class participation and interim projects.

About the Instructor: Kurt Kreith is a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at UC Davis. Since 1982 he has been actively involved in mathematics education, including summer institutes relating mathematics to environmental studies curricula at the secondary school level. He is co-author of “Iterative Algebra and Dynamic Modeling,” a recently published text that sets the stage for mathematical modeling at the secondary school level.