CS 378 (Spring 2026)
Introduction to Cryptology

Course Information

Instructor: Yang Xiao (contact: xiaoy[AT]uky.edu)
Meeting Times: Tue/Thu 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM Eastern Time
Office Hour: Hardymon Rm 233, Wed 2:00-4:00 PM
TA: TBD, Office Hour: TBD

Course Description

The study of secrecy in digital systems. Methods of keeping information secure from classical systems dating from ancient times to modern systems based on modern mathematics. Basic methods of encryption using public key systems, block ciphers, and stream ciphers. The mathematical tools for the design and analysis of such systems. Topics will include classical cryptography, modern methods of public and private key encryption, authentication and digital signatures, hashing, and passwords. Number theory, abstract algebra, combinatorics, and complexity theory necessary for the design and analysis of cryptographic systems.

Textbooks and Materials

Textbook (recommended): W. Trappe, L. Washington, Introduction to Cryptography with Coding Theory, third edition, Pearson, 2020.

Course Schedule (Tentative)

Week	Date	Agenda (Weekly lecture notes uploaded to Canvas pre-class)	Reading ([L] LecNotes, [T] Textbook)	Assignment (H: Homework, P: Project)
1	01/13 T 01/15 R	Overview: secure communication and basic attacks. Overview: cryptographic systems and applications.	[L]1.1-1.2, [T]1.0-1.1.1 [L]1.3-1.5, [T]1.1.2-1.2
2	01/20 T 01/22 R
3	01/27 T 01/29 R
4	02/03 T 02/05 R
5	02/10 T 02/12 R
6	02/17 T 02/19 R
7	02/24 T 02/26 R
8	03/03 T 03/05 R
9	03/10 T 03/12 R
10	03/17 T 03/19 R	No class – Spring Break No class – Spring Break
11	03/24 T 03/26 R
12	03/31 T 04/02 R
13	04/07 T 04/09 R
14	04/14 T 04/16 R
15	04/21 T 04/23 R
16	04/28 T 04/30 R	(Prep Days) (Reading Days) No Class
17	05/05 T 05/07 R	Final exam, TBD, in classroom

Learning/Research Resources

UK Libraries, Free Tutoring and Coaching at UK, Google Scholar, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore.