Instructor:
Anil
Somayaji (Office Hours: Tuesday 3-4:30, Wednesday 4-5:30)
Meeting Time: Tuesday 6-9 PM, January 6th through March 30th
Meeting Place: 202 Tory Building, Carleton University
Official Course Description: Course on the applicability of biological metaphors to computer security. Computer immunology, autonomic computing, and computer homeostasis are compared with traditional approaches to authentication, integrity, and intrusion detection. Relevant background biology will be presented. Students will design and critique new security mechanisms.
Prerequisites: A curious, open mind and an interest in computer security. While the course is oriented towards computer science graduate students who have taken one or more courses in computer security, it should be understandable to anyone with a reasonable computer science background. Previous knowledge of biology is a plus but not essential. This course is also open to biologists who are interested in learning more about computers, and in the process a bit about biology.
Format of Course: While the early part of the course will include introductory lectures, the bulk of class time will be spent discussing assigned readings. Before beginning general discussion, one or two individuals will be randomly chosen at the beginning of class to present the basic ideas and arguments of the readings in question. While these presentations will not be specifically graded, they will count towards overall class participation. Since presentations are not assigned in advance, all class participants (registered students and listeners) are strongly encouraged to study the assigned readings for each class.
Texts: Most readings will be available online through this web page. You will also need a copy of Acquiring Genomes: A Theory of the Origins of Species by Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan, 2002 (available through most bookstores and Amazon). A standard biology textbook may be helpful as a supplement to the course.
Grading: Final grades will be calculated based on 60% for a class project and 40% on class participation, divided as follows:
The project rough draft is to be 2-5 pages in length, while the final report is to be 5-10 pages (single-spaced, 12 point font). Students will receive extensive feedback on their rough drafts and will primarily be graded on effort. The final project is expected to be a polished presentation of material, complete with appropriate citations. Ideas for appropriate projects will be discussed in class.
Ethics & Intellectual Honesty: I view all students in this course as independent junior researchers. In this context, I expect everyone to uphold the highest intellectual and ethical standards. Ideas should be properly credited, whether in written or oral communications. Further, individuals should be respected, no matter how strange their ideas or presentation may seem. Disrespect to other class members will be negatively reflected in class participation grades. Significant intellectual dishonesty in any form will result in failing grades on the assignment and, as appropriate, university disciplinary action.
Special Needs Students: Students with disabilities requiring academic accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact a coordinator at the Paul Menton Centre (PMC) for Students with Disabilities and to make an appointment to meet and discuss your needs with me by February 3, 2004. I will do my best to make reasonable accommodations within the context of the course.
Date |
Food |
Topics |
Readings |
---|---|---|---|
January 6th |
Anil |
Overview of class, introduction to biology |
none |
January 13th |
Hanh |
Artificial Life |
A. K. Dewdney,
Core Wars |
January 20th |
Dave S. |
Viruses, Worms, & Epidemiology |
Fred Cohen,
Computer Viruses - Theory and Experiments |
January 27th |
Rose |
Evolution & Innovation |
Margulis & Sagan:
book (optional review of book) |
February 3rd |
Natalia |
Immunology: negative selection & LISYS |
Hofmeyr,
An Interpretative Introduction to
the Immune System,
(PS)
|
February 10th |
Glenn |
Immunology, Homeostasis, &
System Calls |
Forrest et al.,
A Sense of Self for UNIX Processes |
February 17th |
No class: Winter Break |
Read a novel | |
February 24th |
Tao |
Diversity |
Forrest et al.,
Building Diverse Computer Systems |
March 2nd |
Julie |
Autonomic Computing |
Diegelmann & Evans,
Wound Healing: An Overview of Acute,
Fibrotic, and Delayed Healing |
March 9th |
Wei |
Development & Systems Administration |
Burgess, A Site Configuration Engine |
March 16th |
Phil |
Infectious diseases |
Lederberg, Infectious History (HTML) |
March 23rd |
Tao |
No class |
|
March 30th |
Oguz |
Project oral presentations |
TBA |
April 6th |
Anil |
Project oral presentations
(cont.) |
TBA |