Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025
Module COMP4207: Coding and Information Theory
Department: Computer Science
COMP4207: Coding and Information Theory
| Type | Open | Level | 4 | Credits | 10 | Availability | Available in 2024/2025 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- COMP3697 Cryptography AND COMP3687 Data Compression
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To understand:
- the main techniques for error correction;
- the key results of information theory and their relevance to cryptography and data compression.
Content
- Linear error correcting codes, including Hamming codes
- Bounds on codes
- Cyclic codes, including Reed-Solomon codes and their decoding
- Code-based cryptography
- Channel capacity and rate-distortion theory
- Information-theoretic security.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the key features of error-correcting codes;
- an understanding of public-key cryptosystems based on error-correcting codes;
- an understanding of the how information theory describes the limits of data compression and cryptography.
Subject-specific Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to assess the performance of error-correcting codes an ability to assess the effectiveness and security of code-based cryptosystems;
- an ability to use information-theoretic tools to bound the performance of digital communication systems.
Key Skills:
- On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to use algebraic techniques to solve communication problems;
- an ability to apply information theory to related domains.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures enable the students to learn new material.
- The examination assesses the knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 2 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Preparation and reading | 80 | ||||
| Total | 100 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Examination | 2 hours | 100% | No |
Formative Assessment:
Example formative exercises are given during the course.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University