Introduction to Coding Theory

Lecture notes and exercise sheets can be found here.

This course is an introduction to algebraic coding theory. Topics covered will include

  • Linear algebraic codes
  • First examples: Golay and RM codes
  • Reed-Solomon codes and their (list)-decoding algorithms
  • Efficient decoding: the displacement method
  • Codes from algebraic geometry
  • Codes over rings
  • Expander graphs and expander codes

The course consists of one weekly lecture (90 minutes on Thursdays from 13:15 to 15:00pm, given by Bertrand Meyer) and one weekly exercise session (90 minutes on Thursdays from 15:15 to 17:00pm, given by Ghid Maatouk). The course and the exercises will be in English. Grading is based on the final exam.

Office hours : Monday from 3pm to 4pm or on appointment by email (firstname.lastname@epfl.ch). Room BC 128

  • “Theory of Error Correcting Codes,” by F.J. MacWilliams and N. Sloane
  • “Introduction to Coding Theory,” by J.H. van Lint

Other relevant material will be advertised in the class.

Grading

The mid-term exam will be on 15th April from 1:15pm to 4:15pm. You're allowed to take with you one hand-written note on A4 format (recto verso). No other document or material will be allowed.

Final exam will be Wed. 30th June from 8:15am to 11:15am in Room CM1113. You're allowed to take with you one hand-written note on A4 format (recto verso). No other document or material will be allowed.

Final grade will be max(F , (F+M)/2 ) where F and M stand for your grade at the final and midterm exam.

Midterm exam

Final exam