Elliptic Curves and their Applications to Cryptography

Thesis advisor: Benjamin HowardIn the last twenty years, Elliptic Curve Cryptography has become a standard for the transmission of secure data. The purpose of my thesis is to develop the necessary theory for the implementation of elliptic curve cryptosystems, using elementary number theory, abstract algebra, and geometry. This theory is based on developing formulas for adding rational points on an elliptic curve. The set of rational points on an elliptic curve form a group over the addition law as it is defined. Using the group law, my study continues into computing the torsion subgroup of an elliptic curve and considering elliptic curves over finite fields. With a brief introduction to cryptography and the theory developed in the early chapters, my thesis culminates in the explanation and implementation of three elliptic curve cryptosystems in the Java programming language.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2007.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Mathematics.Discipline: College Honors Program