Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course the student:
is familiar with the basic concepts and principles of cryptology
understands some mathematical backgrounds of cryptography
knows how symmetric and asymmetric ciphers function
can explain the workings of some cryptographic applications

Content

• basic concepts and principles of cryptology
• mathematical backgrounds of cryptography
• symmetric and asymmetric ciphers
• some up to date cryptographic applications

Location and time

September – December 2018.

Materials

Understanding Cryptography by C. Paar and J. Pelz (Springer, 2010). Some chapters of it are available for free.
Various internet sources, links & descriptions are provided in Optima.

Teaching methods

Classroom activities, group work and independent work; project work, task-based (homework), online activities (quizzes)

International connections

The contents of the course give understanding of the basic cryptographic tools and devices which are essential in the operating environment of an ICT engineer, such as all electronic and wireless communications, e-commerce applications etc.
Some up to date cryptography standards are included in the study material.
Students will team up for a project work on some current and relevant aspect of cryptology. The teams will share their work to the whole group, which gives everyone a broader understanding on the topic.
Task-based assessment supports learning and is continuous throughout the course. Studying in an international group develops students’ ability to intercultural communication and multicultural collaboration.

Completion alternatives

Students can attend classroom activities in Teams, or optionally in campus, if Covid situation permits.

Student workload

Classroom activities participation
Working on homework sets
Preparing for & taking quizzes
Project work
Final exam: Preparing for and taking the final exam

Content scheduling

• basic concepts and principles of cryptology
• mathematical backgrounds of cryptography
• symmetric and asymmetric ciphers
• some up to date cryptographic applications

January – April 2020.

Further information

All practical information on timetables, project work, grading etc., as well as links to web materials are provided in Itslearning.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Homework 50 %. Homework consists of weekly homework sets exercises based on reading material and classroom activities and notes.
Project report and presentation 20 %.
Final exam 30 %. A written exam (1,5 hrs) on specified material.
You need to achieve 40 % of total points and 40 % of the final exam points to pass the course.
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Qualifications

Basics of Mathematical Analysis, Number Theory and Algorithmics