MAT 331, Fall 1998
Project 2: Cryptography
Due Thursday, November 5
For this project, you should pick an encryption scheme, describe how it works, implement it (preferably in Maple), and give some explicit examples of its operation. It would be nice (but not required) to discuss mathematical aspects of the encryption scheme, history related to it and its use, and its strengths and weaknesses. You should use the library and the Internet for your sources. (Several cryptography-related links appear on the World Wide Web page.) You may instead write about a topic related to cryptography, such as steganography (data hiding), pseudo-random number generators, or digital signatures. You cannot use an encryption scheme that we have discussed (or will discuss) in class.
Some encryption schemes you might consider are:
Encryption schemes such as DES and block ciphers are probably not appropriate because implementation generally requires bit-level manipulations. An encryption scheme with a mathematical component is preferred.
This project is primarily expository in nature.
In your report, please pay attention to organization, sentence structure,
and so on.
You will be graded on both the quality of your mathematical exposition
and on the correctness of your computer work
(that is, the implementation of your encryption scheme).
You should treat this report like a term paper.
A good paper should be complete and self-contained,
discussing any necessary background material.
Think of yourself six months ago as a typical reader.