University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply substitution ciphers and understand their weaknesses.
  2. Encrypt and decrypt messages using RSA.
  3. Describe and apply algorithms for primality testing and integer factorisation and indicate their relevance to RSA.
  4. Understand the discrete logarithm problem and apply the Diffie-Hellman key exchange and ElGamal cryptosystem.
  5. Define elliptic curves, compute their groups of points, and explain their use in public key cryptography.
Assessments
  • Written Assessment (70%)
  • Continuous Assessment (30%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "A Course in Number Theory and Cryptography" by N. Koblitz
    Publisher: Springer
  2. "Understanding Cryptography" by C. Paar, J. Pelzl.
    Publisher: Springer
  3. "Cryptography: An introduction" by N. Smart
    Publisher: Mc Graw Hill College
  4. "Cryptography: Theory and Practice" by D. R. Stinson, M. Paterson
    Publisher: CRC Press
The above information outlines module MA492: "Cryptography" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.