MA320      Half Unit
Mathematics of Networks

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Andrew Lewis-Pye

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Data Science, BSc in Mathematics and Economics, BSc in Mathematics with Data Science and BSc in Mathematics with Economics. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Mathematical Methods (MA100) and Introduction to Abstract Mathematics (MA103).

Course content

Globalisation and the growth of the internet have meant not only an increasing need to understand the way in which social and communication networks form and operate, but also an unprecedented amount of data available to aid in this analysis. The last decade has seen a coming together of multiple scientific disciplines in an effort to understand how these highly connected systems function. The aim of this course will be to give an introduction to the study of networks, requiring as little background knowledge as possible. The course will begin with an analysis of some of the fundamental properties normally observed in real world networks, such as the small world property, high degrees of clustering and power law degree distributions. After reviewing required notions from game theory, we shall then apply these techniques to an analysis of the spread of behavioural change on networks, together with cascading effects and epidemic models. The final part of the course will be concerned with specific applications to the world wide web and page ranking.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Michaelmas Term. 

Formative coursework

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

Indicative reading

(1) D. Easley, J. Kleinberg. Networks, crowds and markets, Cambridge University Press, 2010.  

(2) M. Newman. Networks: An Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2010.

(3) The Rise of the Network Society, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, 2010 edition, Manuel Castells.

Assessment

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

Key facts

Department: Mathematics

Total students 2022/23: 33

Average class size 2022/23: 34

Capped 2022/23: No

Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (MT)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

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