UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

MTH2137 Number theory and cryptography

Faculty of Science

MTH2137 Number theory and cryptography is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2023 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units, leading on to 14 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2023
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 60%
and 1 other task

This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before MTH2137

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After MTH2137

2 units list MTH2137 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Enrolment rules

PROHIBITION: MTH2121, MTH3121, MTH3137

PREREQUISITE:  One of ENG2005, FIT2004, FIT2014, MTH2021, MTH2025, MTH2141 or MTH3141

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

Prime numbers; Euclidean algorithm; congruences; the Euler totient function; the theorems of Fermat, Euler and Wilson; RSA public key cryptosystem; Chinese remainder theorem; quadratic reciprocity; primitive roots; factorisation and primality testing algorithms; secure key exchange; elliptic curve cryptography.

Offerings in 2023

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Continuous assessmentOther
    40%
  • Examination (3 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle
    60%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Apply the classification of numbers and analyse their relationships, such as divisibility and primality;

  2. 2

    Illustrate the power of pure mathematics and appreciate its beauty;

  3. 3

    Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of number theory;

  4. 4

    Explain how thousands of years of pure mathematical developments have enabled secure electronic communication and commerce;

  5. 5

    Employ fundamental number theoretic algorithms for a range of tasks including exchanging information securely and testing whether numbers are prime.

Workload and teaching

  • Seminars36 hours
  • Applied sessions22 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Three 1-hour seminars;
  • One 2-hour applied class (in weeks 2-12) and
  • 7 hours of independent study per week.
The default format for maths units applies to this unit.  In particular, in the stand-up applied classes you will work through problems on whiteboards in groups of 3 or 4.

Where it fits

MTH2137 is part of 7 areas of study in the 2023 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Professor Ian Wanless
Chief Examiners
Professor Ian Wanless

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MTH2137?

MTH2137 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after MTH2137?

MTH2137 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including MTH3141 and MTH3170. Those lead on to 14 units in all.

When is MTH2137 offered?

In 2023, MTH2137 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does MTH2137 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.

Which majors and minors include MTH2137?

MTH2137 is part of Applied mathematics, Mathematical statistics, Mathematics and Pure mathematics.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Mathematics
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 1
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
202220232024202520262027