Instructor: Anil Somayaji (Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 1-2 PM, and by appointment)
Meeting Time: Monday 6:05-8:55 PM, January 10th through April 4th
Meeting Place: 219 TB (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: Readings will be available online through this web page. 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:

• 15% Class Project Outline & Bibliography (due February 28th)
• 35% Class Project Final Report (due April 11th)
• 10% Class Project Presentation (March 28th or April 4th)
• 20% Reading responses
• 20% Class Participation

The project outline 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 outline and will primarily be graded on effort. To increase the value of the outline, please make a detailed argument and include references. 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 January 31, 2004. I will do my best to make reasonable accommodations within the context of the course.

Daily class outline (subject to change)