Chris Christensen

Professor of Mathematics
Department of Mathematics
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099
859-572-6672
FAX: 859-572-6097

HNR 304 – 002

Cryptology

Spring 2008

This course meets TR 1:40 – 2:55 in HR 111.

Here is a copy of the syllabus for HNR 304 - 002.

Here is an outline of the course requirements for HNR 304 – 002.

Tuesday, January 15 and a Word file of Tuesday, January 15

Some software (and paper) designed (and written) by NKU students can be found at http://www.nku.edu/~mcsc/mat494/. More is available on the internet.

Thursday, January 17 and a Word file of Thursday, January 17.

Tuesday, January 22.

Thursday, January 24 and a Word file of Thursday, January 24.

Tuesday, January 28 and a Word file of Tuesday, January 28.

Website for the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit about the Codetalkers http://www.nmai.si.edu/education/codetalkers/

Thursday, January 30

Playfair cipher

Digraph frequencies

A Playfair cipher in literature

Tuesday, February 5

Vbreaker by Amber Rogers

Example of a Playfair cipher (Word file)

Cryptanalysis of a Playfair cipher

Thursday, February 7

Vigenère cipher cryptanalysis examples (Word file)

Vigenère cryptanalysis

Tuesday, February 12

Video: America’s Most Secret Agency

Thursday, February 14

1917 Scientific American article claiming that the Vigenère cipher was still secure.

William Friedman biography http://www.nsa.gov/honor/honor00004.cfm

Index of coincidence

Tuesday, February 19

Gronsfeld cipher

Cipher exercises

Cipher to break

A string of random numbers

Depth example

About spy number stations

http://www.spynumbers.com/

http://www.izumix.org.uk/c/spynumbers/

http://home.freeuk.com/spook007/

Thursday, February 21

The Cryptogram

One time pad

Vernam and Mauborgne

Baudot code addition table

Separating messages

Tunny

Tuesday, February 26

Discussed ciphers.

Thursday, February 28

Enigma

Setting up Enigma

Another look at setting up Enigma.

Enigma monthly setting sheet from Codebreakers by Hinsley and Stripp.

Link to Tony Sale’s Enigma emulator http://www.codesandciphers.org.uk/enigma/emachines/enigmad.htm

Tuesday, March 4

Video: The Ultra Enigma

Thursday, March 6

Cryptological bombe

Spring Break

Tuesday, March 18

Video: Dayton Codebreakers

Exchange ciphers

Thursday, March 20

Breaking the Code: actor and director

Tuesday, March 25

Codes

Thursday, March 27

Introduction to DES

Tuesday, April 1

Simplified DES

Simplified DES example

Thursday, April 3

Knapsack cipher.

Tuesday, April 10

Alan Turing

Thursday, April 12

Privacy

Tuesday, April 15

Introduction to public key cryptosystems

Thursday, April 17

Projects: Rachel and Rachel.

Tuesday, April 22

Projects: Chris, Megan, and Jordan.

Thursday, April 24

Projects: Ryan, Nick, and Karla.

Tuesday, April 29

Projects: Courtney, Amanda, and Joanna.

Thursday, May 1

Projects: Krissey, Beth, and Greg.