MATH 344 - Game Theory

Announcements

Zoom meeting link. Meeting ID: 679 6847 6085, Password: Conway
Midterms and solutions are online. Return code and link should appear in canvas.
Course has ended and grades submitted. Enjoy the break.

Syllabus

This course covers several topics in Game Theory, an important area of Mathematics with multiple applications to Economics, Political Science, Evolutionary Biology, and many other fields. We will also encounter several important mathematical concepts such as fixed point theorems and convexity methods as they are used to prove results in Game Theory. Topics include:

Combinatorial games (Chess, etc.): extended and strategic forms, Sprague-Grundy theory, games with chance.
Zero-sum games (Poker, etc.): Matrix form, minimax theorem, pure and mixed strategies.
General sum games (Global Thermonuclear War): Nash equilibria, repeated games and evolutionary dynamics, incomplete information.
Coalition games and Shapley values.
Auctions and mechanism design.
Social choice: voting, Arrow's theorem, stable matchings.

Course details

Instructor: Omer Angel. Contact me through canvas or by email. Please include "math344" in the subject line.

TA: Eric Rozon. If you have any comments to Eric, go through me.

Class times: MWF 12:00. Lectures will take place on zoom (use link or meeting ID: 679 6847 6085, Password: Conway.)

Office hours: Office hours will take place at the same zoom link: Monday and Wednesday 10:30-11:30 and after each class for brief questions, Or by appointment (if all the other times conflict with other classes).

Online forum: We will use a discord forum this term. You can ask any questions regarding the course there. An invite link will be shared later. You are encouraged to ask questions there on lectures, assignments, and any course related topic. You are also encouraged to answer other students’ questions. Significant participation will receive extra credits. Obviously, do not share solutions to assignments (on discord or elsewhere) before the due date.

Textbook: The main book we will follow is Game Theory, Alive, by Karlin and Peres. It is available online. Many other books on game theory exist, and may be helpful.

Evaluation

The final mark will be based on:

Additional credits may be given for significant participation in class or on discord.

Missed work: There are no make-up midterms or assignments. Missing a midterm for a valid reason normally results in the weight of the midterm being transferred to the final exam. Personal travel and work conflicts are not considered valid. A student who misses the midterm must submit UBC's self-declaration form within 72 hours of the midterm date or as soon as possible. See the UBC Senate's Academic Concession Policy V-135.