3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4017306ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Mathematics
Educational team
Ann Dooms (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
18 contact hours Lecture
24 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

This course provides an introduction to cryptography - from the past over the present to the future. We treat the basis building blocks of cryptography with the underlying mathematical concepts and theory. Thereafter, we combine these techniques into systems we encounter in our daily life so that the importance and applications of mathematics become apparant. Along the way, we gather insights in the current technologies in the field of security and identify their pros and cons. The student learns to reason about how the cons could be improved in the future. 

Practical examples are treated in the exercise classes using a problem solving methodology.

By means of a project, the student is introduced to aspects not yet treated in the course. Thereafter the student gives a presentation to his fellow students explaining his topic and underlying theories.

Table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. Basis concepts
3. Symmetric cryptosystems
4. Public Key cryptosystems
5. Hash functions
6. Digital signatures and Identification
7. Complementing Crypto: Digital Watermarking
8. Projects

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides http://homepages.vub.ac.be/~andooms onder de rubriek Teaching, http://homepages.vub.ac.be/~andooms
Handbook (Recommended) : Handbook of Applied Cryptography, Alfred J. Menezes, Paul C. van Oorschot, Scott A. Vanstone, CRC Press, 9780849385230, 1996
Handbook (Recommended) : Codes: The Guide to Secrecy From Ancient to Modern Times, Richard Mollin, Chapman & Hall, 9781584884705, 2005
Handbook (Recommended) : Introduction to Cryptography, Johanes A. Buchmann, 2de, Springer, 9780387207568, 2004
Handbook (Recommended) : The Code Book, The Secret History of Codes and Code-breaking, Simon Singh, Harper Collins Publishers, 9781857028898, 2000
Additional info

The slides can be found at http://homepages.vub.ac.be/~andooms under Education.

Johanes A. Buchmann, Introduction to Cryptography, Springer, 2000.

Richard Mollin, Codes: The Guide to Secrecy From Ancient to Modern Times, Chapman & Hall, 2005.

Alfred J. Menezes, Paul C. van Oorschot and Scott A. Vanstone, Handbook of Applied Cryptography, CRC Press, 1996.

Simon Singh, The Code Book, Harper Collins Publishers, 2002.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

This course is an introduction to cryptography in the past until now and the future. We cover the basis building blocks of cryptography founded with the necessary mathematical tools. Hereafter we combine these techniques in systems we encounter in every day life. As such one learns to appreciate the importance and applications of mathematics. In this way one develops insight in the recent technologies and is it possible to identify its pros and cons. We end by reasoning on how to overcome the cons in the future.

Practical examples are handled in detail during the exercise classes in a problem solving way.

By means of a project one encounters some aspects not covered in the course and one needs to identify which mathematical techniques are needed. Then the student communicates in a clear way with a lecture on his subject to his fellow students.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 10% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • mondeling examen theorie with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Mondeling examen met schriftelijke voorbereiding.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • schriftelijk examen oefeningen with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

    Note: Schriftelijk examen oefeningen

Within the PRAC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Projectwerk with a relative weight of 10 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

    Note: Projectwerk

Additional info regarding evaluation

Oral exam with written preparation on theory and exercises (50%-40%) and project work (10%).

A student can only pass this course on the condition that he gets at least ten on one of the two parts of the written exam. The grade of the project is retained if one participates in the second examination period. In case of legitimate absence from the project in the first examination period, this part will be replaced by a written assignment and extra question on the exam in the second examination period. An exemption from part of the written examination for the second examination period can be requested from a 12 on that part.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Electronics and Information Technology Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Photonics Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Applied Sciences and Engineering: Applied Computer Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master in Applied Sciences and Engineering: Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (only offered in Dutch)
Master in Applied Sciences and Engineering: Computer Science: Multimedia (only offered in Dutch)
Master in Applied Sciences and Engineering: Computer Science: Software Languages and Software Engineering (only offered in Dutch)
Master in Applied Sciences and Engineering: Computer Science: Data Management and Analytics (only offered in Dutch)