Programme Cryptographic security
The courses of the computer security group are run according to the following programme. It is part of the Master Media Informatics at the b-it and RWTH Aachen and of the Master in Computer Science at the university of Bonn (see its curriculum, in particular the module handbook).
At present, only about half the programme can be offered. Please refer to the actual offers. (Probably, only the parts in the table below written in black take place. Grey parts do not.)
Each student should start with the introductory course Cryptography which is offered in every winter term. Building on it in the summer term you can choose between two courses. Under the headline the Art of Cryptography you will find a course with varying topics emphasizing theory. The course under the headline eSecurity offers an applied view covering security on the internet and varying applications. In the following winter term a course under the headline Advanced Cryptography completes the programme. Its topic is varying and may be theoretical or applied.
IPEC Summerschool | Winter term | IPEC Winterschool | Summer term | IPEC Summerschool | Winter term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cryptography | The Art of Cryptography | ||||
eSecurity | Advanced Cryptography | ||||
Seminar | Seminar | ||||
Foundations of informatics - | Applied Cryptography | On request: | |||
Seminar Schüler-Krypto | Satic (Seminar Advanced Topics in Cryptography, S2) | Satic (Seminar Advanced Topics in Cryptography, S2) | |||
Oberseminar | Occasionally: | Oberseminar |
Having taken successfully at least two courses and a seminar, you can apply for a master's thesis within the area of cryptography and related subjects.
The following paragraphs describe various blocks and point to the up-to-date module description as of January 2014. Check Bonn Computer Science Master Curriculum and Aachen Media Informatics for updates.
Cryptography
Cryptography deals with methods for secure data transfer. In earlier times this was the domain of military and intelligence agencies, but today modern cryptography has grown into a key technology, enabling e-commerce and secure internet communications. Its many applications range from credit and debit cards, mobile phones, tv decoders, and electronic money to unforgeable electronic signatures under orders and contracts concluded over the internet. In the course, we first discuss two of the current standard tools, namely AES and RSA. Further topics are key exchange, including group cryptography and discrete logarithms, digital signatures and identification, and cryptographic hash functions.
The Art of Cryptography
This course deepens and continues a theoretical topic within the realm of cryptography. Examples are
- Ellipitic curves.
- Pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge.
- Security reductions.
- Lattices.
eSecurity
After having learned the basic cryptographic primitives we consider applications of cryptography. The first focus is the security on the internet. The course will however go on to at least one further issue, for example electronic health systems, electronic elections, or electronic passports.
Advanced Cryptography
This course is based on the course Cryptography and one further course.
The aim is the study of one varying, advanced topic related to cryptography which may be practical or theoretical.
- Bonn Computer Science Master MA-INF 1313 (PDF), Topics in Theoretical Cryptography.
- Bonn Computer Science Master MA-INF 3311 (PDF), Topics in Applied Cryptography.
- Aachen Master Media Informatics (PDF).
Typically, each of these four courses consists of 4 lecture hours per week plus 2 tutorial hours. For media informatics it usually is an 8 ECTS credit course. For students who only want 6 credit points, on request a breakpoint at about 3/4 of the teaching time will be defined, and only the course material up to that point will be relevant for their exams and grades. For computer science master students it usually is 9 CP (credit points).
Seminar
- Bonn Computer Science Master MA-INF 1311 (PDF), Seminar Theoretical Cryptography.
- Bonn Computer Science Master MA-INF 3223 (PDF), Seminar Applied Cryptography.
- Aachen Master Media Informatics (PDF).
Seminar Advanced Topics in Cryptography
- Bonn Computer Science Master MA-INF 1209 (PDF).