| Unit name | Cryptology (Teaching Unit) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMS30023 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Dupressoir |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
COMS10018 Object Oriented Programming and Algorithms or equivalent COMS10014 Mathematics for Computer Science A and COMS10013 Mathematics for Computer Science B or equivalent COMS20017 Algorithms and Data or equivalent Or A working understanding of algorithms and complexity analysis
Exposure to abstract algebra or number theory
A working understanding of (discrete) probability theory
To take as a MAJOR: basic programming skills in at least one language. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
EITHER COMS30081 Topics in Computer Science (Examination assessment, 20 credits) it will contribute 50% to the topics in computer science exam OR COMS30085 Cryptology (Coursework & in-lab test or viva assessment, 20 credits). Please note: This unit is the Teaching only unit for the Cryptology option. Students taking this unit choose to be assessed by EITHER the MAJOR 20 credit unit COMS30085 OR as part of the Topics in Computer Science MINOR 20 credit examination unit. Students select the form of assessment to be taken by enrolling on the appropriate co-requisite assessment unit. Some programmes may place further restrictions on the assessment co-requisite |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Computer Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Cryptography is the last line of defence in many information systems, designed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data even when all else has failed. Getting cryptography right involves understanding threats to define security goals and assumptions, reasoning about security goals, and evaluating security assumptions using cryptanalysis. Cryptology—the modern discipline that combines construction and evaluation of cryptographic mechanisms—is a highly interdisciplinary field, deeply rooted in mathematics, but with branches in electronic engineering, computer science, and software and systems engineering.
The aim of this unit is to introduce fundamental aspects of cryptology from a modern perspective, focusing on design and security aspects of cryptographic schemes used for secure two-party communication, and of their underlying primitives.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This is an optional unit that can be taken in Year 3. It is designed to interact positively with both COMS30049 Applied Cryptology and COMSM0040 Advanced Cryptology, but can also be taken standalone for students who want to work with cryptography, but not on cryptography.
An overview of content
The syllabus will include a selection of topics from introductory modern cryptography. Typically, this will cover some of:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students engaging with this unit fully will have developed both abstract and critical reasoning skills enabling them to better evaluate security claims and assess supporting evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, ALL students (both MAJOR and MINOR) will be able to:
When the unit is taken as the MAJOR 20 credit variant, students will also be able to:
5. Implement the functionality of standard cryptographic schemes used for confidentiality and authenticity
6. Implement and apply appropriate cryptanalytic techniques to evaluate the security level of classes of cryptographic schemes
In the 7 weeks of teaching, students will engage with lecture notes, instructor-led lectures and interactive discussions in large and small groups around problem-based exercise sheets, which are used also for formative assessment and feedback.
Lecture notes and lectures are used to convey an understanding of mathematical concepts and definitions, and illustrate them interactively on simple examples. Tutorial-like problem classes enable the application of concepts learned and the practice of skills, and further enable peer learning between students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds (between Mathematics, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering). Regular formative submissions with rapid feedback form an integral part of the teaching activities, allowing students to test their understanding of the material and to develop further their ability to turn this understanding into explanations, applications and implementations of the concepts and techniques seen in lectures.
Summative assessment activities are designed as extensions of learning, often presenting students with opportunities to apply core principles to real but unseen settings in cryptography.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Teaching will take place over the first 8 weeks of the term (excluding the reading week), with coursework support sessions in weeks 9-11 and consolidation and revision sessions taking place in week 12. In addition to discussions in lecture and the publication of lecture notes, weekly problem sheets, discussed with peers and instructors in problem classes, can be submitted for deeper formative feedback. Past exams and coursework questions are also used as explicit opportunities for peer-learning and formative assessment and feedback, and to promote the development of understanding beyond simple recall.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
For students taking this unit as a MINOR variant, it will contribute 50% to the 20cp Topics in Computer Science exam
(equivalent to 1 hour of exam time) that will be sat during the winter examination period. This closed-book exam will assess Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 through a mix of questions exercising reflection over and application of concepts and techniques from the unit.
For students taking this unit as a MAJOR variant, there will be two elements of assessment:
ILOs to be mapped
The use of two elements of assessment for the MAJOR variant mitigates the risk of students failing the unit, should they perform poorly in either single element of assessment.
When assessment does not go to plan
Students will retake relevant assessments in a like-for-like fashion in accordance with the University rules and regulations.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMS30023).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
