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
1. Flows & walks
2. Diffusion
3. Cascades
4. Epidemics
5. Complex contagions
6. Social influence
7. 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.
Schedule
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.
Teaching method
Lectures
Lab sessions with programming and analysis exercises
Assesment method
Final written exam, with a retake option at the end of the semester. (90% of the final grade)
Homework programming exercises. (10% of the final grade)
Resit, review & feedback
A retake option for the exam is at the end of the semester. (90% of the final grade)
Homework is considered a practical and therefore has no retake option.
Reading list
Selected chapters from Newman, M. (2018). Networks (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198805090.001.0001
Additional required reading for this course will be made available through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website ( https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/administrative-matters/registration--de-registration/course-and-exam-enrolment/course-and-exam-enrolment/humanities/art-history-ba?cf=humanities&cd=art-history-ba#tab-2).
Contact
Vincent Traag (v.a.traag@cwts.leidenuniv.nl)
Remarks
part of the minor Network Science for a Connected World