This course emphasizes the connection between theory and applications of
mathematics and computing. The topics may vary from quarter to quarter.
For this quarter, we will focus on an old topic which has a great deal
of current interests ---
game theory and its applications on graphs, algorithms and Internet economics.
The main text book is the free
on-line version of
Game Theory authored by Thomas Ferguson,
supplemented by the material on Internet applications in the new book
Algorithmic Game Theory
authored by Noam Nisan, Tim Roughgarden, Eva Tardos and Vijay Vazirani,
(which was recently published and
an outline is available online).
Part III: the first four sections, Nash equilibrium, and a pricing game
Part IV: the first four sections, Internet auction and a routing congestion game
Homework:
All homework will be done on the web using WebWork, an online tool (see
Shoaib's page).
and extra tutorials about Webwork will be given at the sections.
There will be 9 problem sets.
The due day is usually on Monday (except for possible adjustments
during the
weeks of midterms).
Try to establish your login ASAP and work on the introduction
problem set.
The first due day is April 7, Monday.
(You will get full credit for this practice set as long as you try the problems.)
Please note that WebWork enforces strict deadlines! If your answers are not submitted by the listed time, they will not be recorded.
Exams and grading:
Midterm I Exam: Thursday April 24.
Midterm II Exam: Thursday May 22.
Final Exam: Monday 11:30-2:30, June 9, TBA.
Grading will be based on homework (20%), midterm I (20%), midterm II (20%) and final (40%).
A student who misses a midterm exam will be graded on the basis of the homework
and the other exams providing (i) the student has an ironclad excuse (such as medical emergency), and
(ii) the student contacts the instructor on or before the day of the exam to arrange a conference. A student who misses the final exam may receive an incomplete (I) grade providing
(i) the student has taken and passed midterm exams, (ii) the student has completed the homework at a passing level, (iii) the student has an ironclad excuse, and (iv) the student contacts the instructor on or before the day of the final exam to arrange make arrangements.