About

Welcome to Math 4440/5440 Coding and Cryptography
University of Colorado, Boulder

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:30 – 3:20 pm, Duane Physics G2B21.

Instructor: Katherine Stange
Email: kstange at math colorado edu
Office: Math 308
Phone: Please contact via email or discord.

Office hours:

  • Immediately after class, I’m usually free to chat for about 30 minutes in person
  • Regular hours: Wed 3:30-4:30 (initially; can add more based on demand)
  • On demand: meet on discord or email me

Final Exam:  Friday December 11th, 1:30 – 4 pm (that link is the registrar’s final exam schedule, the source of truth; you can also see your exams in Buff Portal)

Please have a calculator for tests (not computer/tablet/phone), without internet access, preferably the old-school basic arithmetic kind.

Textbook:  alchemy.katestange.net (also linked as “Textbook (Notes)” in the top left of this site).

Official course description

Gives an introduction, with proofs, to the algebra and number theory used in coding and cryptography. Basic problems of coding and cryptography are discussed; prepares students for the more advanced ECEN 5032 and 5682. Prereq., MATH 3130. Recommended prereqs., MATH 3110 and 3140. Same as MATH 5440.

University and course policies

The university’s Required Syllabus Statements apply to the course.  In particular, both students and faculty are responsible for maintaining an appropriate learning environment in all instructional settings, whether in person, remote or online.  Please read the full statements at the link above.

AI Policy

Students are not required to use generative AI in this course. Tests must be completed without outside help, including internet and AI. Posters must not be generated with AI. Studying is AI-optional. I strongly suggest you develop AI-usage skills if using AI. We will discuss this in the class.

Health Safety

The campus is mask-optional.  I strongly encourage ill students not to attend class; contact me and I will help you catch up.

Honor Code

I take honor code violations seriously.  Honor code rules for graded work will be made clear as part of the assessment instructions in canvas.

Missing Class

For concerns about planned absences such as religious holidays, please contact me within the first two weeks of the course so I can try to plan (e.g. test days).   For unexpected absences, please let me know at the earliest moment.  I will help you catch up, if possible.

Missed Work

I know that life happens.  Missed daily post and participation work will be excused (no justification required), up to a certain level specified in the self-evaluation sheet (beyond that level the student is missing enough material to be in jeopardy of not being able to finish the course and should see me immediately).  However, test assessments must be made up if missed due to religious holidays, personal issues, illness etc.  Contact me at the earliest possible moment.