Cryptology
The clock is ticking with beads of sweat collecting while you type away trying to break the last code. A sound of an alarm goes off wrong it seems to scream. If only you had taken cryptology in high school.
Cryptology is a class for code making and breaking. These two students are working on a cipher for the class.
May 2, 2022
Cryptology is a class all about code making and breaking. This is a class offered at Dallastown that not many people know of.
Mr. Gottloeb not only is the only teacher who teaches the course, but is the creator of it in Dallastown’s curriculum. The class has been offered since 2018 and is fairly new.
This course is one Trimester and is worth 0.5 credits. Cryptology is a math elective however, it doesn’t count for the math graduation requirement.
It is the only course like it in the country at this level. I taught it at William Penn for Two years as well.
— Mr. Gottloeb
As far as what classes students should take before considering the class is Algebra I and Geometry. Gottloeb also says “ it pairs nicely with history classes covering World War II.”
As far as the basis of the class it’s a mix of English, Mathematics, and a sprinkle of History. Students will be making ciphers close to weekly.
For those who want to take it but are not the best at math, the mathematics of the course is no higher than Algebra II.
Cryptology is a class students should feel comfortable and enjoy reading as the text students use is a lovely resource and is used daily. Which Mr. Gottloeb does provide.
The course is a stand-alone and has no further or high levels for students to complete. There are also no materials you need to have or bring pre-class.
Student Stavros Stump talked about the class runs claiming “The workload depends on your speed and the speed of your class”.
He also quoted about the class in general saying ” You get a free Enigma machine program and are taught how to use it for this course, German Enigma is difficult for even modern computers to decode without understanding how the machine works.”
This course is one for students to have fun and break codes along with making them. It offers a challenge and a fun time learning to do something that could be a hobby or very well becomes a job to enjoy for the future.
