Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATIONAL GAME THEORY
Code COMP323
Coordinator Prof PG Spirakis
Computer Science
P.Spirakis@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims
  • to introduce the student to the notion of a game, its solutions concepts, and other basic notions and tools of game theory, and the main applications for which they are appropriate, including electricity trading markets;

  • to formalize the notion of strategic thinking and rational choice by using the tools of game theory, and to provide insights into using game theory in modeling applications;

  • to draw the connections between game theory, computer s cience, and economics, especially emphasizing the computational issues;

  • to introduce contemporary topics in the intersection of game theory, computer science, and economics;


    • Learning Outcomes

    Given a real world situation a student should be able to identify its key strategic aspects and based on these be able to connect them to appropriate game theoretic concepts;

    A student will understand the key connections and interactions between game theory, computer science and economics;

    A student will understand the impact of game theory on its contemporary applications, and be able to identify the key such application areas;


    Syllabus
    1 
    1. Introduction: Making rational choices: what is a game?, strategy, preferences, payoffs; basic solution concepts; non-cooperative versus cooperative games; Basic computational issues: finding equilibria and learning in games; typical application areas for game theory (e.g. Google''s sponsored search, eBay auctions, electricity trading markets). (4 lectures)
    2. Games with Perfect Information: strategic games (prisoner''s dilemma, matching pennies); Nash equilibria: theory and illustrations (Cournot''s and Bertrand''s models of oligopoly, auctions); information about linear programming; mixed strategy equilibrium; zero-sum games; basic computational issues. (9 lectures)
    3. Extensive Games with Perfect Information: repeated games (prisoner''s dilemma); subgame perfect Nash equilibrium; computational issues. (3 lectures)
    4. Mechanism Desi gn: basics; social choice; Vickrey and VCG mechanisms (shortest paths); combinatorial auctions; profit maximization; applications in Computer Science. (5 lectures)
    5. Modern Applications of Game Theory: Google''s sponsored search; eBay auctions; market equilibria; price of anarchy; prediction markets; reputation systems; electricity trading markets.. (9 lectures)

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    Tutorial -


    Teaching Schedule
      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours 30

    		   5

    		       35
    Timetable (if known)              
    Private Study 115
    TOTAL HOURS 150

    Assessment
    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Unseen Written Exam  150  Semester 1  80  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Final Exam Notes (applying to all assessments) 2 (sets of) assessment tasks This work is not marked anonymously. Written examination  
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Coursework  20 hours for all CAs  1st semester  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity, Resit exam only for PGT students. 
    Coursework  20 hours for all CAs  1st semester  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity, Resit exam only for PGT students. 

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: