MA301      Half Unit
Game Theory I

This information is for the 2014/15 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Bernhard von Stengel COL 4.12 and Dr Paul Dütting

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics, BSc in Management, BSc in Management, BSc in Management Sciences, BSc in Mathematics and Economics and BSc in Mathematics with Economics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available with permission to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Basic knowledge of matrices as covered in Mathematical Methods (MA100) or Quantitative Methods (MA107). Some knowledge of probability.

Course content

Concepts and methods of game theory with applications to economics. Game trees with perfect information, Nim. Backward induction. Extensive and strategic (normal) form of a game. Nash equilibrium. Commitment. Zero sum games, mixed strategies. Maxmin strategies. Nash equilibria in mixed strategies. Finding mixed-strategy equilibria for two-person games. Extensive games with information sets, behaviour strategies, perfect recall. If time permits: The Nash bargaining solution. Multistage bargaining.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the MT. 1 hour of classes in the LT. 2 hours of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Written answers to set problems will be expected on a weekly basis.

Indicative reading

Lecture notes will be provided. K Binmore, Playing for Real: Game Theory CUP, 2007; E Mendelson, Introducing Game Theory and Its Applications.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

Key facts

Department: Mathematics

Total students 2013/14: 93

Average class size 2013/14: 15

Capped 2013/14: No

Lecture capture used 2013/14: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills