CS 395T: Topics in Cryptography

Description

This course will provide an introduction to pairing-based and lattice-based cryptography. We will study constructions of various advanced cryptographic primitives such as identity-based encryption, attribute-based encryption, fully homomorphic encryption, non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs, and succinct non-interactive arguments. The goals of this course are twofold:

• Be your first course in advanced cryptography: This course will survey many of the algebraic techniques underlying advanced cryptographic constructions. By the end of this course, you will have the tools needed to undertake research in cryptography.

• Be your last course in advanced cryptography: This course will provide an overview of the current frontiers of cryptography. In this course, you will gain an understanding of the capabilities of new cryptographic tools and learn how to apply them to build systems that combine expressive functionality with strong security guarantees.

Meeting Time and Place

Location: GDC 6.202
Time: Tuesday, Thursday, 2:00pm-3:30pm

This course is in-person only. The lecture room does not support recording, so lectures will not be recorded.

Logistics

Canvas: We will use Canvas, which includes links to Ed Discussion (for announcements and class discussions) and Gradescope (for assignment submission and grading).

Ed Discussion: We will use Ed Discussion for class discussions and for sending out course announcements. If you have a question about the course material or course logistics, please post it on Ed Discussion instead of emailing the course staff directly. You should be automatically added to the Ed Discussion site via Canvas once the semester starts.

Gradescope: Homework submissions will be handled via Gradescope. You should be automatically enrolled in the course via Canvas once the semester starts.

Homework: Please see the Course Organization and Policies page for details on how to format and submit your homeworks as well as the collaboration policy for the course.

Prerequisites

This is an advanced cryptography course, and we will assume fluency with all of the topics covered in an introductory cryptography course (CS 346 or CS 388H). If you have not taken an introductory cryptography course and are still interested in taking the course, I strongly encourage you to talk to me before enrolling.