Mathematics of Networks

a. Graph Theory:
● Fundamentals of graph theory: vertices, edges, adjacency matrix.
● Types of graphs: directed graphs, undirected graphs, weighted graphs.
● Graph representation and visualization.
● Graph traversal algorithms: depth-first search (DFS), breadth-first search (BFS).
● Properties of graphs: connectivity, cycles, paths.

b. Social Network Analysis:

● Introduction to social networks: nodes as individuals, edges as relationships.
● Centrality measures: degree centrality, betweenness centrality, eigenvector
centrality.
● Community detection algorithms: modularity-based, hierarchical clustering.
● Influence and opinion dynamics models: spreading processes, cascade models.
● Applications in sociology, epidemiology, and marketing.

c. Network Optimization:
● Network flow problems: maximum flow, minimum cut.
● Shortest path algorithms: Dijkstra's algorithm, Bellman-Ford algorithm.
● Matching problems: maximum matching, stable marriage problem.
● Network reliability and resilience.
● Applications in transportation, telecommunications, and logistics.

d. Routing Algorithms:
● Basics of routing in networks: packet switching, routing tables.
● Distance vector routing vs. link-state routing.
● Routing algorithms: RIP (Routing Information Protocol), OSPF (Open Shortest
Path First).
● Autonomous systems and inter-domain routing.
● Quality of Service (QoS) considerations in routing.

e. Game Theory Applied to Networks:

● Introduction to game theory: players, strategies, payoffs.
● Game theoretic models of network behavior: the prisoner's dilemma, the tragedy
of the commons.
● Nash equilibrium and its applications in network games.
● Evolutionary game theory and the dynamics of cooperation.
● Applications in network security, resource allocation, and protocol design.

f. Network Dynamics and Complex Systems:

● Dynamics on networks: diffusion processes, contagion models.
● Complex network properties: small-world networks, scale-free networks.
● Network evolution models: preferential attachment, growth models.
● Synchronization and collective behavior in networked systems.
● Applications in biology, neuroscience, and epidemiology.