RADFORD – Radford University math professor Neil Sigmon is having no difficulty filling the seats in his Cryptography class. This honors math class, which covers the study of message secrecy and code breaking, is usually full during the pre-registration period.  Since the class’ inception four years ago, student interest in the topic of code breaking has increased.

Sigmon says, “This semester is the first time we have two sections of this class available. It’s exciting to know that the students think so much of this class and are telling their friends.”

“This class is not about numbers only. It is about being able to think logically. Cryptography helps you to understand movies like The DaVinci Code. And Dr. Sigmon makes this class fun and very interesting.” says student Jessica Abarquez. “He is very organized and offers the framework of his notes online as a back-up.”

Throughout history, cryptography has also been used in many ways to ensure information secrecy including as a wartime tool to send messages to the battlefield in WWII. Now, with technological advances, it is used in the security of ATM cards, computer passwords and electronic commerce.

Student/athlete, Christine Fairchild, a double major in criminal justice and accounting says, “Overall, I found the class to be one of the best classes I have ever taken.  I’m not a big history fan, and never realized history and math were related, but once I learned how math helped in wars and helped to hide messages I found it fascinating.”