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Course: 2025/2026

Cryptography and computer security

(15973)

Academic Program of Computer Engineering via Bachelor in Computer Engineering (Study Plan 2023) (Plan: 509 - Estudio: 218)

Coordinating teacher: GONZALEZ MANZANO, LORENA

Department assigned to the subject: Computer Science and Engineering Department

Type: Compulsory

ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course: 3º

Semester: 1º

Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)

Programming (Course 1 / Semester 1) Discrete Mathematics (Course 1 / Semester 2) Statistics (Course 2 / Semester 1) Software development (Course 2 / Semester 2)

Objectives

The objectives of this course are for the student to recognize the current importance of cryptography and its related technologies, their weaknesses and threats. Likewise, the student must know the principles, methods and means of information security systems.

Learning Outcomes

K8: Knowledge and application of the characteristics, functionalities and structure of Distributed Systems, Computer Networks and Internet and design and implement applications based on them. S11: Ability to identify and analyze problems and design, develop, implement, verify, validate and document software solutions based on an adequate knowledge of current theories, models and techniques. S12: Ability to design, develop, select and evaluate computer applications and systems, ensuring their reliability, security and quality, in accordance with ethical principles and current legislation and regulations.

Description of contents: programme

1. Fundamentals of computer security 2. Mathematical foundations of cryptography 3. Cryptographic mechanisms and protocols 4. Authentication and Public Key Infrastructures 5. Legal aspects

Learning activities and methodology

THEORETICAL-PRACTICAL CLASSES. 1.75 ECTS with 100% attendance. Knowledge that students must acquire. They will receive class notes in electronic form and will have basic reference texts to facilitate the follow-up of the classes and the development of the subsequent work. Exercises, practical problems will be solved by the student and workshops and evaluation tests will be carried out to acquire the necessary skills. TUTORING. 0.25 ECTS with 100% attendance. Individualized assistance (individual tutorials) or in groups (collective tutorials) to students given by the teacher. STUDENT INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP WORK. 3.75 ECTS with 0% face-to-face. WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES. 0.25 ECTS with 100% attendance. Methodology: MASTER CLASS. Lectures in the teacher's class with the support of computer and audiovisual media, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed and materials and bibliography are provided to complement the students' learning. PRACTICES. Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc. raised by the teacher individually or in a group. TUTORING. Individualized assistance (individual tutorials) or in groups (collective tutorials) to students by the teacher. For subjects of 6 credits, 4 hours will be dedicated with 100% attendance. LABORATORY PRACTICES. Applied / experimental teaching to workshops and laboratories under the supervision of a tutor.

Assessment System

% end-of-term-examination/test 40
% of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 60

Calendar of Continuous assessment

FINAL EXAM. In which the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired throughout the course will be assessed globally. The evaluation percentage varies for each subject in a range between 30% and 60%.

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT. In it, the assignments throughout the course will be graded. The assessment percentage varies for each subject in a range between 40 and 70% of the final grade. It may be required to obtain a minimum performance in the final exam.

In particular:
1. ORDINARY SITTING
 1.1. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- Resolution of a practical case throughout the course (compulsory): 40%
- Partial exam (compulsory): 10%
- Presentation of a theoretical assignment (compulsory): 10%
- Final exam (compulsory): 40%
Attendance and active participation in class may be considered to obtain additional marks.

To pass the course, two conditions must be met:
- Obtain a grade equal to or greater than 4 out of 10 points in the final exam.
- Achieve, as the sum of all the parts, at least 5 points out of 10.

 1.2. NON-CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
This alternative applies if any of the proposed assignments or exams is not delivered.
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- Final exam: 60%
The final exam will include specific tests, questions or parts to verify the knowledge that must have been acquired by carrying out the proposed continuous assessment tasks.
To pass the course you must satisfy:
- Achieve at least 5.0 points out of 10.

EXTRAORDINARY SITTING
2.1. IF THE STUDENT FOLLOWED CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT IN THE ORDINARY SITTING
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- The grade obtained in the continuous evaluation in relation to the works is kept (60%)
- Final exam (mandatory): 40%

To pass the course, two conditions must be met:
- Obtain a grade equal to or greater than 4 out of 10 points in the final exam.
- Achieve, as the sum of all the parts, at least 5 points out of 10.

  2.2. NON-CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
 This alternative applies if any of the proposed works were not delivered.
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- Final exam: 100 %
The final exam will include specific tests, questions or parts to verify the knowledge that must have been acquired by carrying out the proposed continuous assessment tasks.
To pass the course you must satisfy:
- Achieve at least 5.0 points out of 10.

Extraordinary call: regulations

Basic Bibliography

A.I. González-Tablas Ferreres y P. Martín González. Problem Book 2010-2015. Final Exam problem collection. Cryptography and Computer Security.. CopyRed. 2016
C. Paar. Understanding Cryptography: A Textbook for Students and Practitioners. Springer-Verlag. 2014
J. PASTOR; M.A. SARASA; J.L. SALAZAR. CRIPTOGRAFÍA DIGITAL. FUNDAMENTOS Y APLICACIONES. (2ª EDICIÓN). PRENSAS UNIVERSITARIAS DE ZARAGOZA.
Jean-Philippe Aumasson . Serious Cryptography: A Practical Introduction to Modern Encryption . Random House LCC US .
W. STALLINGS. CRYPTOGRAPHY AND NETWORK SECURITY. (5ª EDICIÓN). PRENTICE HALL.

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.