CS579 :: Graduate Network Security
Fall 2026

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Textbooks

No required textbook. Reading materials will be provided on the course website and/or distributed in class.

Prerequisites

This course requires a basic understanding of computer networks. You are expected to have taken at least one of the following courses:

  • CS 372 :: Intro to Computer Networks
  • CS 476 :: Advanced Computer Networking

Grading

Your final grade for this course will be based on the following scheme:

  • 20%: Two programming assignments
  • 15%: Four in-class quizzes, lowest grade dropped
  • 15%: Research paper presentation
  • 20%: Midterm exam covering the first half of the term
  • 30%: Final exam covering material from the full term

Schedule

This schedule is subject to change. Please check back regularly.
Week Monday Wednesday Sunday (No Class)
0
09/23
Administrivia + Security Fundamentals
09/27
[Assigned] Assignment 1: Applied Crypto
1
09/28
Crypto 101
09/30
Crypto 102
10/04
[Deadline] Applied Crypto - Checkpoint 1
2
10/05
Link Layer + QUIZ
10/07
Network Layer 1
10/11
3
10/12
Network Layer 2
10/14
DNS
10/18
[Deadline] Applied Crypto - Checkpoint 2
[Assigned] Assignment 2: Network Security
4
10/19
Securing DNS + QUIZ
10/21
Routing
10/25
[Deadline] Network Security - Checkpoint 1
5
10/26
Midterm Exam - 2PM, 212 Kearney Hall
10/28
TLS
11/01
6
11/02
Web PKI + QUIZ
11/04
Denial of Service
11/08
[Deadline] Network Security - Checkpoint 2
7
11/09
Defense + Access Control
11/11
No class - Veterans Day
11/15
[Deadline] Finalize research presentation topic
8
11/16
Malware + QUIZ
11/18
Privacy + Anonymity
11/22
9
11/23
Private Messaging
11/25
No class - Happy Thanksgiving!
11/29
10
11/30
Research Presentations
12/02
Research Presentations
12/06
Finals
12/07
No class - Finals Week
12/09
Final Exam - 2PM, Location TBD