2015 Cipher System Project
Overview
This project is designed to provide you an opportunity to synthesize and apply the concepts presented/discussed from graph theory, number theory, algorithms, spreadsheets, and cryptography. You will be working in groups of 3 or 4 assigned by the teacher based on your suggestions and performance on spreadsheet activities. Your group has three specific tasks: design/create, automate, and market a cipher system.
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Design/Create Your group’s cipher system should reflect and incorporate the mathematics that has been presented/discussed in class this past semester. This is an opportunity for you to be creative – that is take ideas, techniques, concepts and combine them in ways that haven’t been presented in class. Most important, your cipher system should be dynamic – it should allow the user the ability to change keys so that the same message will not always become the same ciphertext. |
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Automate (Spreadsheet) Your group will create a spreadsheet that will automate both the enciphering and deciphering process. The design of the spreadsheet should be user-friendly; that is it should be organized, easy to navigate, and clear on what needs to be done to encipher and decipher. Your teacher will serve as a resource for helping implement your group’s cipher system, but your group is expected to be able to perform basic spreadsheet programming. |
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Market (Spec Sheet & Sales Presentation) Your group will give a presentation (5 minutes max) that includes PowerPoint slides that gives an overview of the features of your cipher system and brief explanation of the enciphering process. At the conclusion of the presentation you will also deliver a Spec Sheet that contains all of the elements of your presentation along with additional details/explanations. All members of the group are expected to actively participate in the presentation; students not in class on the scheduled presentation day will have those points deducted from his assessment score. |
Assessment
The baseline value of the project will be 75 points. Group projects will be assessed using a grading rubric consisting of 25 specific characteristics for which each group will be assessed a value between –1 and +1 points. Thus the maximum and minimum number of points that can be earned for submitting a project is 100 and 50 respectively. Zero points will be earned in the event that no project is submitted.
The total points earned will be multiplied by a factor so that the project will account for 25% the total possible points in the course for the semester. Each members of a group will earn the same number of points. The teacher reserves the right to adjust the points for individual group members should it become apparent that an individual did not contribute his efforts towards the project.
During the course of project, the teacher reserves the right to establish benchmarks for your group to meet. These benchmarks might consist of requests to submit current files/documents for review, to meet with the group, etc.
Suggestions
Become familiar with and regularly consult the grading rubric.
Develop an Action Plan for this project – discuss and decide as a group who is going to be responsible for the various parts of the project, establish deadlines, identify strategies to follow, etc.
Maximize the productive use of class time – this is uninterrupted time when you will be provided access to computers and the internet, but more important you will have all your group members together!
Record/Document progress each day so that level of participation and contribution can be demonstrated/proven
Rehearse your presentation – this will help minimize or eliminate confusion as to who is supposed to do what, where the files are located, etc. when your group gives its presentation.
Don’t spend too much time on the enciphering process – leave more time for the deciphering process.