Unit name | Communication, complexity and number theory |
---|---|
Unit code | COMS20002 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Bernhard |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
COMS11700 (unless taken as co-requisite) |
Co-requisites |
COMS11700 (unless taken as pre-requisite) |
School/department | Department of Computer Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The unit aims to develop students' knowledge of and skills in algebra, and introduce students to basic concepts of coding and information theory.
Tak am abitry pce o Eslignh txt, and you can remove and change a fair number of letters yet with some effort, a reader can still reconstruct the original text. In the modern world, where most data is binary, is it still possible to compress and correct errors? How hard can reconstructing the original data be?
This unit explores the limits of efficient and effective communication from a theoretical perspective (why it is possible based on information theory) with practical applications (how to do it using coding theory).
To enable the practical applications, the unit also provides an introduction to algebra, with an emphasis on basic results and the ability to perform algebraic operations.
Together, algebra and coding/information theory are foundations for the mathematics required to reason about modern cryptography.
After following this unit you should be able to
Each week (except Explore Week) there will be 2 hours of lectures and a 1-hour lab session.
One summative 2-hour exam worth 80% of the unit mark.
Four pieces of coursework worth 5% each of the unit mark.
Formative weekly exercises may be provided in weeks where there is no coursework deadline.
Reading to be confirmed.