Cryptography (L.7) (860G1)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore data encryption and security.

Topics include:

• symmetric-key cryptosystems
• hash functions and message authentication codes
• public-key cryptosystems
• complexity theory and one-way functions
• primality and randomised algorithms
• random number generation
• attacks on cryptosystems
• cryptographic standards.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 117 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.