Course grades will be based on projects/assignments, presentations, and class participation using the following weights:
Project 1: Turnout Web: Three due dates starting Tuesday, September 6
Project 2: Crypto Protocols -- Due Friday, September 23
Project 3: Turnout-C: Two due dates starting Wednesday, September 28
Project 4: AdSafe: Two due dates starting Friday, October 7
During the term, we will explore 15 security-related domains or tools, attempting to understand both the technical and social security issues in each. You will select one of these topics, and in collaboration with another student (or two), you will present it to the class.
The topics vary: some study languages or tools that guard against security problems, some look at modern security problems, some study problems with nontrivial security implications. Two or three students will jointly present each topic.
Expectations for presentations (including starting references)
This is a very hands-on class, with less formal lecturing than you are probably used to. You will be experimenting with breaking and patching code, learning about best practices in security, and exploring security-related questions and tools. I expect you to actively participate in learning and sharing material with other students though in-class presentations, in-class discussions, wiki postings, and the discussion board.
Sample actions you can take to earn participation credit (feel free to propose others):
The participation system is designed to let you focus on topics within software security and communication styles that are most important to you. Overall, I want you to demonstrate self-driven learning and conveying material to others. Both are essential when you work as part of a team learning a new area.