MMSS 2016: Introduction to cryptology
Instructor: Anton Lukyanenko
Email: lukyanen@umich.edu
Course assistants: Matthew Stevenson and Rebecca Su
Classroom: 3096 East Hall
Computer lab: B743 East Hall
Meeting times: weekdays 9-12 and 1:30-4:30
June 26 - July 7 (half-day on July 7)
About the Course
How is it that we are able to send information securely online, so that the receiver can read our (say) credit card number easily, but no one else can?
The course answers the question in two ways: through a hands-on exploration of cryptographic methods, starting with the eaerliest known Caesar Cipher used by the Romans; and through a careful study of number theory. We start by asking "what are numbers?" and "how does arithmetic work?" and make our way to the modern RSA algorithm used in everyday online transactions.
Unlike in a traditional class, it is up to students to discover the material. While the instructor and assistants set the pace and goals, it is up to the students to connect all the dots in groups and present their results to the class to reach consensus.