Cryptography and Computer Security for Undergraduates (Panel, SIGCSE 2004) I have two goals in teaching cryptography to computer science students: to use cryptography as a “cool way” of introducing important areas of mathematics and computer science theory and to educate students in something that may be necessary for them to know in the future. For the past two years I have co-taught a course in cryptography at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with David Mutchler, a colleague from the Computer Science department. The course is cross-listed in both the Computer Science and Mathematics departments, but most of the students are CS majors. The published prerequisites are one quarter of discrete mathematics and two quarters of computer science.

1. Mathematical Cryptography
Joshua Holden
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/˜holden
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Mathematical Cryptography – p.1/10

2. Goals
“Cool” way of introducing mathematics and
CS theory
Practical knowledge
Societal impact
Coordinate the goals!
Mathematical Cryptography – p.2/10

3. MA/CSSE 479
Cross-listed; sometimes team-taught
Most students CS (SE?) majors
Prerequisites
One quarter Discrete Mathematics
Two quarters Computer Science
Elective
Frequently used by CS majors as math
elective
Mathematical Cryptography – p.3/10