Using Maple Worksheets to Enable Student Explorations of Cryptography

  • Authors:
  • Mike May S. J.

  • Affiliations:
  • -

  • Venue:
  • Cryptologia
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

This paper explores the use of Maple worksheets in a course on modern cryptography for undergraduate sophomores and juniors. The worksheets allow students to explore deep topics without requiring many prerequisites. A sample worksheet, where students examine the effectiveness of the Fermat test is considered in some detail, and a sample list of other explorations done by the students is given. The paper concludes with the author's evaluation of the use of computer algebra in teaching cryptography.