Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - MATH 742 G100

Cryptography (3)

Class Number: 7334

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2025
    Thu, 11:45–11:45 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Held jointly with MACM 442-3. See description for MACM 442-3. Students may not take a 700 division course if it is being offered in conjunction with a 400 division course which they have taken previously.

COURSE DETAILS:

  • Classical Cryptography.
  • The Data Encryption Standard and Advanced Encryption Standard.
  • Basic Integer Algorithms and their Time Complexity.
  • The RSA Public Key Cryptosystem and Attacks on RSA.
  • Algorithms for Integer Primality Testing and Integer Factorization.
  • Finite Fields and the ElGamal Cryptosystem.
  • Algorithms for the Discrete Logarithm Problem.
  • Key Distribution and Key Agreement Protocols.
  • Digital Signature Schemes and Secure Hash Functions.
  • Pseudo-Random Number Generation.
  • The Quadratic Residue Problem and the Jacobi Symbol.

Grading

  • Assignments (6 assignments, weighted equally) 60%
  • Exams 40%

NOTES:

This course is cross-listed with MACM 442. Students enrolled in the graduate sections of this course (MATH 742) will be assigned extra homework questions.

Classes for MATH 742 will start in Week 1 of the semester.

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION. 
Students should be aware that they have certain rights to confidentiality concerning the return of course papers and the posting of marks. 
Please pay careful attention to the options discussed in class at the beginning of the semester.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Textbook: Cryptography: Theory and Practice
Edition: 4th
Author: Douglas Stinson 
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9781138197015

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.