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{\largerbold 640:103:99 (Spring, 2000)
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{\largerbold The Mathematics of Communications: keeping secrets}
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{\it Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.}
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\centerline{Benjamin Franklin (July, 1735)}

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\item {$\bullet$} The course meets Mondays and Wednesdays $4^{\rm th}$
periods (1:10--2:30 PM) in ARC 203 on Busch campus.  Admission is by
permission (this is an honors course).

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\item{$\bullet$} Instructor: S.~Greenfield, Department of Mathematics

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\itemitem{$\star$}Office: 542 Hill Center, Busch

\itemitem{$\star$} Telephone: 445-3074 (this has an answering machine)

\itemitem{$\star$} E-mail: {\tt greenfie@math.rutgers.edu} (probably
the best way to communicate!)

\itemitem{$\star$} Office hours: To be announced -- probably Monday
$3^{\rm rd}$ period (11:30--12:50) and Wednesday $2^{\rm nd}$ period
(9:50--11:10) or drop in or make an appointment.

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\item{$\bullet$} Teaching assistant: S.~Radomirovic, Hill 101, {\tt sasar@math.rutgers.edu}

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\item{$\bullet$} Text and other resources:

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\itemitem{$\star$} The official text is {\sl Cryptology} by Albrecht
Beutelspacher, published by the Mathematical Association of American
(1994). Copies are available in the bookstore.

\itemitem{$\star$} You should have a calculator available which can do
6 to 8 digit arithmetic. You will need this for work in and out of
class.

\itemitem{$\star$} Some familiarity with computers and the Rutgers
computer systems: 1) be able to send and receive e-mail; 2) be able to
access and search the Internet; 3) be able to use simple aspects of
the computer program {\tt Maple} (installed on {\tt Eden} and most
Rutgers computer systems).

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\item{$\bullet$} The topics of the course will be selected from
computer science, history, mathematics, and public policy. You should
become familiar with some of the mathematics which supports secret
communication. We also will investigate some of the history of such
communication and a few of the current controversies which accompany
it.

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\itemitem{$\star$} Mathematics: notation and basic ideas about
arithmetic; the elements of number theory and probability required to
support some extremely ingenious schemes for hiding and sharing
knowledge. How difficult is computation? What is information?

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\itemitem{$\star$} History: groups within almost every known culture
have wished to conceal records and communications. What have they done,
what success have they had, and what have been the consequences?

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\itemitem{$\star$} Public policy: with the advent of widespread use of
digital computers and their interconnection, questions involving
cryptography have become important. We will try to address such
questions as ownership and reproduction of intellectual property,
privacy of telephone and electronic communications, privacy of medical
records, anonymity of financial transactions, and trustworthy
communications. These are related to legal questions and business
practices, and certainly involve some knowledge of what is possible
and what is likely to be practical.

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\item{$\bullet$} The math background needed for this course is good
knowledge of high school algebra and some knowledge of analytic
geometry. Students will write short papers, and research on the web
and in libraries will be needed. The most important traits will likely
be energy, intelligence, diligence, and, most of all, willingness to
question the instructor.

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\item{$\bullet$} Workload and grades: few of the classes will be
lectures. Most will involve some student activities, and class
participation will be a large component of the grade. The material is
not standard so students should plan to attend every class. Exams will
be announced in advance. Students will write short papers and will
make group presentations on topics connected with the course.


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supported secret communication. 



28 meetings

History: Diplomatic, military, commercial uses of cryptography..

Current practice: Buying & selling over the web, e-mail, cell phones, etc. 

Intellectual property issues: music, art, text. 
        
        Bits & copying
        Ownership and permission (steganography)

Privacy: legal barriers, the practical and theoretical aspects

        Cryptography in e-mail and telephone
        Data privacy (financial transactions, purchases)
        Privacy of data searches 
        
Trust

        Agreements & hashing
        Secret sharing  






