The MSc in Mathematics of Cryptography and Communications is a highly focussed one year degree giving instruction into some of the mathematics behind modern secure information and communications systems. The programme of study specialises in mathematics relevant for public key cryptography, coding theory and information theory.
The Mathematics department at Royal Holloway is well known for its expertise in information security and cryptography. The academic staff who teach courses in the MSc include several leading researchers in these areas. Students on the programme have the opportunity to carry out their dissertation projects in cutting-edge research areas and to be supervised by experts.
The Mathematics department at Royal Holloway also runs MSc programmes in Information Security and Mathematics for Applications. The MSc in Mathematics for Applications has a wider programme of options and is more suitable for a student who is not yet ready to determine their area of specialisation. The MSc in Information Security gives instruction in the technical, legal and commercial aspects of information security.
See the Programme Handbook and syllabus for further details.
(This is the NEW 2009/10 version, you will receive a printed copy during the induction meeting).
Time table 2009/10 NEW!
Who is it for?
Those with a good undergraduate degree in Mathematics who want to learn more about the mathematics which underlies modern secure information and communications systems. After obtaining this degree students would be well prepared to begin doctoral studies in the area or for a technical (possibly R&D) role in the communications industry.
Duration of course
Full-time 50 weeks or part-time 102 weeks (end of September to start of September).
Funding
We have a Geoffrey Kneebone Scholarship (worth £1000), which wil be awarded from 2009 on.
We will automatically consider all MSc applications that have arrived in the department by 1st June.
(You do not need to apply separately.) The succesful candidate will be informed.
For historical background, 1MB)
There are some, but very limited, funding opportunities mentioned here:
http://www.rhul.ac.uk/graduate%2Dschool/
If you happen to come from one of 125 schools in the UK, you can apply for a grant with them:
Entry requirements
The normal requirement for entry to the MSc degree is a first class or IIa honours degree with mathematics as a main field of study from a UK university or an international equivalent. However, the department has considerable flexibility in its admissions policy and strongly encourages applications from non-standard applicants (such as those with degrees in other subjects like Physics or Computer Science). Please contact the Programme Director or Graduate School if you have any enquiries about entry requirements.
Application Details
For an overview of the application process, application forms, details of the College's general entry requirements, as well as for online applications, please go to:
http://www.rhul.ac.uk/graduate-school/pages/prospective.html#Applying
Information about tuition fees can also be found on the Finance Office web site:
There is no firm deadline for applications. Applications that arrive with the department before July 1st can be considered for a departmental grant.
Subjects of study
The four core courses, which you must normally take, are
- Advanced Cipher Systems (MT5462) [Term 1]
- Channels (MT5441) [Term 1]
- Theory of Error-Correcting Codes (MT5461) [Term 2]
- Public Key Cryptography (MT5466) [Term 2]
At the discretion of the Programme Director, a core course may be replaced by a suitable optional course, for example when you have already taken the equivalent of a core course in your first degree.
In addition to the core courses, you choose four optional courses from the following list. (Note that this list is intended only as a guideline, and that not all courses may be available every year.)
- Applications of Field Theory (MT5485) [Term 1]
- Quantum Information Theory (MT5445) [Term 2]
- Network Algorithms (MT5465) [Term 2]
- Advanced Financial Mathematics (MT5447) [Term 1]
- Combinatorics (MT5454) [Term 1]
- Computational Number Theory (MT5412) (not in 2009/10)
- Complexity Theory (MT5413) [Term 2]
- Permutations and counting with groups (MT4860) (not in 2009/10)
You may also, with the agreement of the Programme Director, choose one of your optional courses from the third or fourth year options of the undergraduate degree programme in Mathematics.
In addition to the taught courses all students will prepare a main project. This project work is undertaken under the supervision of a member of staff. The report on the main project must be submitted by the middle of September of the calendar year of completion of the written part of the examination.
Method of assessment
There are written examinations for the taught courses, and a project involving a written dissertation, written largely during the summer vacation. The average of the taught courses provides 75% of the final mark, with the remaining 25% being the dissertation mark.
Organisation of the teaching and teaching methods
Each half-unit course runs throughout either Term 1 or Term 2, and students are encouraged to divide their courses equally between the terms.
Teaching for each course is organized as formal lectures and informal seminars or guided reading. For each course the lecturer also provides regular examples for you to work through in your own time, and the feedback obtained from these is a valuable part of the learning process. Some of the optional courses require use of the Mathematica language, and you are given instruction in this in the first week.
LIONEL COOPER PRIZE
Congratulations from the Department of Mathematics go to Simon Grest, shared winner of the prestigious 2008 University of London - wide Lionel Cooper Prize for Mathematics. The Lionel Cooper Prize is awarded for excellence in all assessed parts of an MSc course at a College of London University, of which Mathematics forms at least 50%, in other words for best performance on a University of London Mathematics Masters programme.
Contact information
For further information please send an email to the course director at Maths-Msc-Admission@rhul.ac.uk
or contact our administrator
Mathematics Department
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
Surrey TW20 0EX
Telephone: 01784 443093
Fax: 01784 430766