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The Structure of Networks

This course delves into the intricate world of networks, with a focus on information and social networks. Key topics include basic graph theory, game theory, network effects, and the dynamics of aggregate behavior. Through lectures, group projects, and problem sets, students will critically evaluate real scientific papers and explore complex phenomena within social and technological systems. The course emphasizes collaboration, academic rigor, and interactive participation, making it ideal for those who are curious and eager to engage in high-impact projects.

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The Structure of Networks

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  1. The Structure of Networks with emphasis on information and social networks RU T-214-SINE Summer 2011 Ýmir Vigfússon

  2. Logistics (1/2) • The course will be taught in English • Weekdays 16:35-18:10 from 4/7-12/8 • Fridays reserved to be recitation sections • Office hours: Monday 12:00-13:00, V.3.06 • Or by appointment (e-mail me) • Prerequisites • Discrete Mathematics (or comparable background) • Inherent curiosity, thirst for knowledge and challenges

  3. Logistics (2/2) • Course material • Networks, Crowds and Markets (Easley, Kleinberg 2010).Also available online! • Supplementary slides/documents/demos on MySchool • Lectures will be recorded and posted online. • Collaboration advised and encouraged! • Final exam closed book • You are expected to maintain academic integrity according to RU regulations

  4. Evaluation • Homework assignments (50%) • Two problem sets (10%, 15%) • Mostly questions from the book • Fully understand and critically evaluate a real scientific paper • Large group project (25%) • Evaluate a real data set, try to advance the state of the art! • Progress report required and a final presentation • Final exam (40%) • 90 minute closed-book in-class exam on 12/8. • In-class participation (10%) • You should be asking questions and making the experience interactive. • Remote students should participate via threads (or Skype)

  5. Food for thought • The book is awesome • We will read most of it • That‘s a lot of pages, be sure to read as you go! • You can push the envelope • Do you have access to cool network data? Why not turning that into a project? • The field is young and emerging • Tons of opportunities for high impact projects • I am always looking for talented students – let‘s talk if you have interesting ideas! • Exciting group projects could be further developed to become publications!

  6. Networks are everywhere • Modern society is “connected“ in different ways • Global communication • The Internet • Social networks • Financial systems • News and media • Network science • “The study of phenomena that take place within complex social, economic and technological systems.“

  7. Network science – examples • 34 person Karate club • Nodes are people, edges are friendship

  8. Network science - examples • E-mail communication patterns within HP • Superimposed on the company hierarchy • 436 employees

  9. Network science - examples • Loans among financial institutions • Which institutions are powerful?

  10. Questions we will explore • What are the structural features of networks? • Hard to eyeball features of large networks • Can we reason about behavior and interaction in networks? • Strategic incentives, cause-and-effect relationships • What are the dynamics of aggregate behavior? • Why are YouTube and Facebook so popular? • How do things go viral?

  11. Our plan of attack (1/2) • Week 1:4/7-8/7 [ch 1-3,5] • Intro. Basic graph theory. Theory of weak ties. • 4/7: PS1 (done in pairs) out. • Week 2: 11/7-15/7 [ch 6-8,9] • Structural balance. Game theory. (Auctions) • 11/7: Group project out (teams of 4) • 15/7: PS1 due • Week 3:18/7-22/7 [ch 13-15] • The Web. PageRank. Sponsorsed search markets. • 18/7: PS2 (done in different pairs) out.

  12. Our plan of attack (2/2) • Week 4: 25/7-29/7[ch 16-18] • Cascades. Network effects. Power laws. • 27/7: PS2 due. • 27/7-1/8: Ýmir away (more info later) • Week 5:1/8-5/8[ch 19-21] • Network cascades. Small world effect. Epidemics. • 2/8: Group progress report due (1 page) • Week 6: 8/8-12/8 [ch 22,23,24] • Voting theory. (Markets). • 10/8: Group project presentations (20 min) • 12/8: Final exam in-class (individual).

  13. Six degrees of Kevin Bacon • A movie to tantalize your taste buds • Gives an idea about the types of problems network scientists work on • Key concepts • Six degrees of separation • Degree distributions • Power laws • Epidemics over networks

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