This course offers a comprehensive introduction to cryptography. Students found the content interesting and the course well-organized. However, they said the lectures were long and dry. Many students said splitting up the lectures into two sessions would improve the course. Students should have a strong math background, especial y with number theory.

Students said that the professor was one of the good aspects of this course. They found his lectures engaging and stimulating, and appreciated how he was always available to help outside of the classroom. Students did find the workload demanding and found that the course covered a lot of material in a short amount of time. The course was geared towards math students, so many of the computer science and information security students struggled to keep up. Suggestions for improvement included slowing down, especial y towards the end of the semester, so that students have a chance to learn and ask questions about the materials before it appeared on the finals. Students also thought that meeting more times a week might help cover more material in depth and help with the pacing. Prospective students should be aware that this is a heavily math-focused course and deals with theory and proofs more than programming. It is a rigorous course recommended to anyone who has an interest in cryptography.

Students thought their favorite aspect of this class was the instructor’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Students also enjoyed the simultaneously fun but chal enging nature of the course. Students believed the biggest drawback of the class was the emphasis on mathematics. Students felt the course could be improved with a slower pace and with greater interaction in classes. They also believed it was important for potential participants to know that experience with mathematical proofs and cryptography would be useful for this course.