MA410 Half Unit
Information, Communication and Cryptography
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Robert Simon
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Applicable Mathematics and MSc in Operations Research & Analytics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
Students should be taking the course MA407 Algorithms and Computation or have taken an equivalent course to provide a basic knowledge of algorithms, and should have experience with proofs and proof techniques used in pure mathematics.
Course content
This course provides an introduction, for students with a mathematical background, to the applications of mathematics in information theory, coding theory, cryptography, and related areas. The course will cover mathematical aspects of the following topics: Noiseless coding, the Kraft-McMillan criterion, optimal coding, entropy, Shannon's first theorem; Noisy channels, capacity, system entropy; Error-correcting codes, decoding rules, bounds, construction and properties of linear and cyclic codes; Structure of natural languages, redundancy, the frequency table, making and breaking cryptosystems, historic examples; Public-key cryptography, complexity issues, the RSA system, authentication schemes, the ElGamal system. Subject to available time we may also cover elliptic curve cryptography and/or cryptocurrencies.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Lent Term.
Formative coursework
Weekly exercises are set and discussed in seminars.
Students will be expected to produce 5 exercises in the LT which will be marked.
Indicative reading
N L Biggs, Codes, An Introduction to Information, Communication and Cryptography: G A Jones & J M Jones, Information and Coding Theory; C M Goldie & R G E Pinch, Communication Theory; D J A Welsh, Codes and Cryptography; D T Stinson, Cryptography Theory and Practice.
Assessment
Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Coursework (25%) in the LT.
Key facts
Department: Mathematics
Total students 2021/22: Unavailable
Average class size 2021/22: Unavailable
Controlled access 2021/22: No
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills