Course Number:

Credit Hours:

3

Course Title:

Basics of Number Theory

Course Description:

Introduces number theory. Topics include linear diophantine equations, congruencies, design of magic squares, Fermat’s little theorem, Euler’s formulas, Euler’s phi function, computing powers and roots in modular arithmetic, the RSA encryption scheme, primitive roots and indices, and the law of quadratic reciprocity. As time permits, additional topics may include diophantine approximation and Pell’s equation, elliptic curves, points on elliptic curves modulo, and elliptic curves and Fermat’s last theorem. Requires a substantial project that connects the material in this course to the secondary school classroom.