INTD 234 - Numb3rs in W4r and Espion4ge: The Mathematics and Politics of Military Cryptography

The Mathematics and Politics of Military Code-Breaking. This course explores mathematical methods in military cryptography and places special emphasis on the political context, the organizational environment, and the war-time consequences of breaking some of these military codes. Students will study and attempt to crack codes used by the military and governments through WWII, study modern computational cryptosystems, and explore current issues in satellite/internet security and communication. Lessons might include mathematical lectures, problem sets, class discussions of readings and viewings, code-breaking exercises, guest lecturers, written responses and major expository papers.

Pre-req: MATH 085 or COSC 120 and any 200-level PLSC course
4 credits