MATH 237 - Ciphers and Mathematics

Description:
This course will examine classical ciphers and how mathematics can be used to encipher, decipher, and cryptanalyze. Substitution and transposition ciphers will be examined in an historical context. Course will not have an established scheduling pattern (Winter).

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: MATH 100C or MATH 101 or MATH 130.

Credits: (3)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Encrypt and decrypt monoalphabetic substitution ciphers.
Use mathematical techniques (frequency analysis, word lengths, and linguistic patterns) to cryptanalyze monoalphabetic substitution ciphers.
Encrypt and decrypt transposition ciphers.
Determine and use appropriate mathematical techniques to cryptanalyze transposition ciphers.
Encrypt and decrypt Vigenere Cipher.
Apply frequency analysis, Kaisiski method, and the index of coincidence to cryptanalyze Vingere ciphers.

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
2/04/17