470-01 Special Topics in Computer Science: MATH 370-01: Topics in Mathematics: Cryptology
Instructor: Dr. Tom Hagedorn
Course Meetings: Tuesdays/Fridays 2:00 pm -3:20 pm
Brief course description:
There have always been a need to communicate confidential information between people in different parts of the world. Ever since the time of Julius Caesar, codes and ciphers have been created to encode secrets that are to be sent via a non-secure channel. Simultaneously, people who intercepted these communications have sought to decode these secrets. Cryptology is the all-inclusive term for the study of how to design secure systems for communications and for the study of how to break these systems.
We now live in the information age with widespread communication of information, often between parties who have never previously met (e.g. Ebay transactions), that needs to be protected. Computers enable the use of encryption systems, created using the mathematics from number theory and linear algebra, that were previously impractical. The main focus of this course will be to study the mathematics and computer science involved in answering the four fundamental objectives of cryptography when Alice sends a message to Bob:
- Confidentiality: No one other than Bob should be able to read the message.
- Data Integrity: Bob would like to be sure that Alice's original message has not been altered.
- Authentication: Bob wants to be sure that only Alice could have sent the message he received.
- Non-repudiation: Alice should not be able to claim she did not send the message.
Topics from mathematics we will introduce and use will range from modular arithmetic, finite fields, elliptic curves to linear algebra and lattices. We will apply them to examine digital signatures, identification methods, public-key encryption systems, as well as electronic cash and games. We will also discuss topics such as error-correcting codes, which are used by satellites to send communications back to Earth. Throughout the course, we will stress the computer science considerations of the material and will write and use programs in Mathematica and Matlab to provide numerical examples to illustrate the important ideas that arise.
Prerequisites: MAT 205 or MAT 301 or CSC 310
470-04 Special Topics in Computer Science: IMM 370-01: Topics In Interactive Multimedia:Game Design
Instructor: Dr. Ursula Wolz
Course Meetings: Wednesdays 8:30 am -12:30 pm
Brief course description:
This course provides students from a variety of disciplines with an introduction to Video Game Engine Design and Architecture. Presentations by faculty will cover topics related to game construction including software engineering, AI, interactive story design, 3-D character and scene animation, networks, sound and music composition and theater production. This course provides a unique opportunity for students from a variety of disciplines to experience cross-disciplinary collaboration and discuss and reflect on the process of a multidisciplinary software development. Students will collaborate to create a completed design document for a 3-D video game as well as develop expertise in implementing proof of concept components of the game. They will learn about the architecture of a game engine by working with an existing commercial engine (Source) while they study how a "toy" or "bare bones" engine is constructed in C++ and DirectX. Based on student background and expertise students will be focus on "art" or "tech." Artist/writers will contribute to the development of a full design of a video game including a story bible, script, story boards, assets lists, pipeline plans, and sample art. Students with a computer science/programming background will take the lead in implementing the toy engine, they will be responsible for developing project management protocols (including animation pipeline processes) within the framework of Microsoft Sharepoint project management software. Assessment of student work will occur through assigned mini-projects, a take-home final (based on reflective journal assignments throughout the semester), and individualized contracts for deliverables.
Prerequisites: CSC 340 or (IMM 270 and one intermediate IMM course)
