Admission requirements
Introduction to Network Science
Essentials of Mathematics, Data Science and Programming (For students in Astronomy, Computer Science, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics and Physics, this course is not required, and can be replaced with equivalent courses as an entry requirement.)
Description
Networks play an important role in various processes, ranging from transportation and routing to epidemics and social media memes. In this course, students will learn to simulate and analyse various processes on networks, including random walks, flows, diffusion, contagion, synchronisation, and social influence. Students will learn about the key differences between the various processes, and how these processes play out differently on different networks. Introductions of these processes will be embedded in the context of various social, natural and engineered systems. This course builds on Introduction to Network Science and Essentials of Mathematics, Data Science and Programming in the minor Network Science for a Connected World.
Course outline
- Flows & walks
- Diffusion
- Cascades
- Epidemics
- Complex contagions
- Opinion models
- Polarisation
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will:
Have an understanding of a number of well-known theoretical processes on networks;
Be able to recognise how certain dynamics might be modelled as processes on networks;
Be able to simulate such processes using simple programs in Python;
Be able to empirically study processes on networks;
Critically reflect on pitfalls and challenges in empirical analysis.
Timetable
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Mode of Instruction
Lectures
Lab sessions with programming and analysis exercises
Assessment method
- Weekly homework exercises
Attendance in lab sessions is compulsory. Each lab session will explain the fundamentals of the homework exercises, after which students can perform the homework exercise independently and hand it in before the next lab session.
The weekly homework exercises are the only assessment method and constitute 100% of the grade.
Reading list
Required reading for this course will be made available through Brightspace.
Registration
tbd
Contact
Vincent Traag (v.a.traag@cwts.leidenuniv.nl). Office hours tbd.
Remarks
part of the minor Network Science for a Connected World