MA301      Half Unit
Mathematical Game Theory

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Galit Ashkenazi-Golan

Prof Bernhard Von Stengel

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Data Science, BSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc in Economics, BSc in Management, BSc in Mathematics and Economics, BSc in Mathematics with Data Science, BSc in Mathematics with Economics, BSc in Mathematics, Statistics and Business, BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is available with permission to General Course students.

Requisites

Additional requisites:

Familiarity with a rigorous treatment of mathematics (through definitions, theorems and proofs) is expected. Basic knowledge of matrices and continuity as covered in Mathematical Methods (MA100) or Quantitative Methods (MA107) as well as some knowledge of probability is required.

Course content

Concepts and methods of mathematical game theory. Nim and combinatorial games. Congestion games. Games in strategic form, dominated strategies, Nash equilibrium. Cournot quantity competition. Game trees with perfect information, backward induction. Commitment. Expected utility. Mixed equilibrium. Zero-sum games, maxmin strategies. Extensive games with information sets, behaviour strategies, perfect recall. Bargaining. Geometry of equilibria.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.

Formative assessment

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

 

Indicative reading

Required text: B von Stengel, Game Theory Basics. Cambridge University Press, 2022.

Assessment

Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period

Continuous assessment (10%)


Key facts

Department: Mathematics

Course Study Period: Autumn Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 6

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 105

Average class size 2024/25: 15

Capped 2024/25: No
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Personal development skills

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