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Advanced topics in Mathematics: Cryptography
Math 480A; Spring 2017

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e-mail: Include [Math 480] in the subject of all emails, send to bviray+480 AT uw.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 2:00 - 2:50pm, Fri. 9:30-10:20am, or by appointment in PDL C-525
Syllabus: pdf
Textbook: An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography by J. Hoffstein, J. Pipher, and J. Silverman. This book is available for download through SpringerLink. You can also order a softbound MyCopy through the SpringerLink website for $25.

Important Dates:
Project proposal: due April 10
First draft of project: due May 8
Exam: May 17 (in class)
Project: due June 8, 3pm by email or via SageMathCloud




Resources
An advanced level math class requires different strategies than ones that you likely used in your lower level classes. Here are some tips on how to approach the class.

1. How to read a math textbook by Prof. Katherine E. Stange
2. Why studying math is like studying a language by Prof. Katherine E. Stange
3. Homework strategies by Prof. Katherine E. Stange
4. Problem solving by Prof. Terence Tao
5. For what not to do, see Common errors in undergraduate mathematics, particularly the section on errors in reasoning, by Prof. Eric Schechter
6. The value of "stupid" questions by Prof. Terence Tao

Announcements

May 22: I will have office hours on Friday May 26 from 9:30 - 11. I will have no office hours the week of May 30. During the week of June 5 my office hours will be Monday June 5, 3 - 4:30pm and Wednesday June 7, 9:30 - 11am.

Mar. 27: Welcome!

Reading assignments
All assignments are from An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography by Hoffstein, Pipher, and Silverman unless otherwise stated.

1. Due Wed. Mar. 29: Section 1.2, 1.7
2. Due Fri. Mar. 31: Section 1.3 up to 1.3.1
3. Due Wed. Apr. 26: Section 7.3
4. Due Fri. May 19: Section 5.1

Homework assignments
All homework assignments are due at 11:30am on the day listed (typically a Tuesday). They should be placed in box 29 in the copy room just outside of C-138 PDL. All assignments are from An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography by Hoffstein, Pipher, and Silverman unless otherwise stated.

1. Due April 4: 1.6ab, 1.7ab, 1.46, 1.47, 1.49abc
2. Due April 11: 1.18, 1.19, 1.29, 1.31, 1.34ad
3. Due April 18: 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 2.17a
4. Due April 25: 2.23, 2.28a, 3.2ab, 3.8, 3.9ab
5. Due May 2: 3.24ab, 3.26, 3.29, 3.33ab, 3.36
6. Due May 9: 7.1, 7.2, 7.8, 7.12cd, 7.15
7. Due May 16: 7.17, 7.18, 7.22abc, 7.24, 7.29
8. Due June 1: 7.45, 5.25, 5.37, 5.41, 6.6a

Tentative schedule
This is subject to change at any time and there may be a delay in updating. Please talk to me if you need to know what will be covered.

Mon. March 27: Intro to course, 1.7, part of 2.1
Wed. March 29: 1.2
Fri. March 31: 1.3, 1.4

Mon. April 3: Project groups
Wed. April 5: 1.4, 1.5
Fri. April 7: 2.2 - 2.4

Mon. April 10: 2.5, 2.6
Wed. April 12: 2.7 - 2.9
Fri. April 14: 3.1, 3.2

Mon. April 17: 3.3, 3.5
Wed. April 19: 3.6, 3.7
Fri. April 21: 3.7

Mon. April 24: 3.8
Wed. April 26: 7.1, 7.2
Fri. April 28: 7.2, 7.4

Mon. May 1: 7.5, 7.8
Wed. May 3: 7.9, 7.10
Fri. May 5: OWRC

Mon. May 8 : OWRC
Wed. May 10: 7.11, 7.13
Fri. May 12: 7.13, 7.14

Mon. May 15: 7.14
Wed. May 17: EXAM
Fri. May 19: 5.3

Mon. May 22: 5.3, 5.4
Wed. May 24: 5.5
Fri. May 26: 6.1, 6.2

Wed. May 31: Elliptic curves
Fri. June 2: Elliptic curves