Codes and Ciphers
CSC 233 (501)

Marcus Schaefer

Latest additions

Homeworks and Examples

Assignments will be available through this webpage. Written homework is due at the beginning of class. If you hand in the homework late 10% will be taken off the score for each day.

Questions and Answers

• There is a page with links for further information.
• You can rewatch the lectures online at colweb

Schedule

Classes and office hours

The class meets MW 11:50-1:20 in CS&T 206.
My office hours are M 3:10-4:40 and W 10:10-11:40. 

During that time you can find me in the CS&T building, room 749.
If you want to set up an appointment at another time, or simply ask a question, 
send email to mschaefer@cdm.depaul.edu.

Textbook

As textbook we will use Simon Singh's The Code Book, Anchor 2000 (pb), or Doubleday, 1999 (hc).

Syllabus

For general information, see the official class syllabus.
The following is a very rough schedule, and we might depart from it.

Grades and exams

Midterm will take place in class on Monday, 2/11.

Homework, quizzes: 40%, Midterm: 30%, Final project: 30%.

Active participation in this class is expected, you are responsible for any material you missed.

I will use the following grading scheme:

Throughout the quarter there will be extra credit problems; extra credit does not directly make up for points lost on homeworks or exams; instead it is added in with a weight at the end to adjust grades upwards.

Liberal Studies

• an understanding of the major principles guiding modern scientific thought
• a comprehension of the varying approaches and aspects of science
• an appreciation of the connection among the sciences and the fundamental role of mathematics in practicing science
• an awareness of the roles and limitations of theories and models in interpreting, understanding, and predicting natural phenomena
• a realization of how these theories and models change or are supplanted as our knowledge increases

General Policies

Academic Honesty

• The course adheres to the university guideline on Academic Integrity Policy:
  • Cheating is any action that violates university norms or instructor's guidelines for the preparation and submission of assignments. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized access to examination materials prior to the examination itself; use or possession of unauthorized materials during the examination or quiz; having someone take an examination in one's place; copying from another student; unauthorized assistance to another student; or acceptance of such assistance.
  • Plagiarism is a major form of academic dishonesty involving the presentation of the work of another as one's own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following: 
    • The direct copying of any source, such as written and verbal material, computer files, audio disks, video programs or musical scores, whether published or unpublished, in whole or part, without proper acknowledgment that it is someone else's. 
    • Copying of any source in whole or part with only minor changes in wording or syntax, even with acknowledgment. 
    • Submitting as one's own work a report, examination paper, computer file, lab report or other assignment that has been prepared by someone else. This includes research papers purchased from any other person or agency. 
    • The paraphrasing of another's work or ideas without proper acknowledgment.
• A charge of cheating and/or plagiarism is always a serious matter.  If proven, it can result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion.
• The use of others' web/publication content (text, graphics, codes) is regarded as plagiarism without giving credit (see the above description of plagiarism). 
• When you directly quote someone's work, you must put it in quotation marks. Without such quotations and reference, it is regarded as an act of plagiarism (see the above description of plagiarism).
• Using materials that the student prepared for other purposes (e.g., another course or for his/her work) needs the course instructor's prior permission.

Incomplete

An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.