CS487/CS587: Introduction to Cryptography (Spring 2024)
Professor:
Giuseppe Ateniese (ateniese@gmu.edu)
Office hours: Wednesday 4:30pm - 5:30pm (Zoom)
Description:
This course presents a rigorous, theory-focused exploration of modern cryptography, grounded in the comprehensive academic framework provided by Katz and Lindell's textbook. We will engage deeply with the theoretical underpinnings of cryptographic systems, emphasizing the mathematical proofs and theoretical constructs that form the backbone of secure communication.
Students will explore symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, key distribution and management systems, hash functions, digital signatures, and more, with a particular emphasis on the formal definitions and proofs of security that underlie these concepts. The course aims to develop a profound theoretical understanding and analytical approach to cryptography, preparing students for advanced academic research or careers where a deep, foundational knowledge of cryptographic theory is essential.
We will use Blackboard for Q&As, course materials, and assignments.
Scheduled Meeting Times:
Tuesday 4:30pm - 7:10pm, Location: Innovation Hall 206
Reading material: The primary textbook, which is required for this course, is: Introduction to Modern Cryptography by Katz and Lindell, Third Edition Alternative readings include: A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography by Dan Boneh, Victor Shoup Note: This course requires strong skills in discrete mathematics, covering areas like probability, modular arithmetic, group theory, and number theory, essential for understanding complex cryptographic concepts and mathematical proofs. In CS 587, graduate students are required to tackle an additional problem in most assignments and to study supplementary material independently. Grading: 50% Assignments 40% Final 10% Participation Ethics: