Network science is an active and growing cross-disciplinary area that focuses on the description, representation, analysis, and modeling of complex social, biological, and technological systems as networks or graphs. At its simplest, a network is a collection of nodes, some of which are connected by edges.
For example, nodes might be scientists, and there would be an edge connecting two scientists if they co-authored a scientific paper. Or nodes might be facebook users, and there would be an edge between two users if they were facebook friends. Structures and systems modeled as networks are ubiquitous in the world around us: communication networks, networks of friends and acquaintances (online and in-person), gene regulatory networks, supply chains, and food webs, to name just a few.
In general, networks are used as models in situations in which the architecture of connectivity matters, but where that connectivity is neither random (as in an ideal gas or non-interacting agents) nor regular (as in a crystal lattice or a situation where agents interact spatially). Capturing, modeling, and understanding networks requires understanding both the mathematics of networks and the computational tools for identifying and explaining the patterns they contain.
This course will consist of a survey of techniques for modeling and analyzing the structure and dynamics of networks. We will begin with basic definitions and simple descriptive statistics. We will then look at random graphs, which are useful for generating intuition and serving as simple null models. We will then consider network prediction models that can be used to predict node attributes and missing edges, and approaches for detecting community structure. As time permits, we will examine dynamical models on networks, such as disease and rumor spreading. Throughout, we will take a computational approach, learning how to work with network data and how to implement algorithms for network models and data analysis.
Evaluation will be based on participation in class sessions, coding exercises, and a final project.
This class meets the QR requirement. It does not meet the ES requirement.
This course description, and the course itself, follows that of Network Analysis and Modeling, CSCI 5332 at the University of Colorado, Boulder, by Aaron Clauset.
Let's think about what type of community we want to create this term. Here is a community agreement based on one written by Federico Ardila-Mantilla.
This course aims to offer a joyful, meaningful, and empowering experience to every participant; we will build that rich experience together by devoting our strongest available effort to the class. You will be challenged and supported. Please be prepared to take an active, critical, patient, creative, and generous role in your own learning and that of your classmates.
It is our intention that students from all backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students' learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. we aim to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, religion, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture.
Learning about diverse perspectives and identities is an ongoing process. We are always looking to learn more about power and privilege and the harmful effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let us know of ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. If something was said or done in class (by anyone, including us) that made you feel uncomfortable, please let me know. You can also reach out to Provost Ken Hill or Associate Dean Kourtney Collum.
COA is dedicated to establishing and maintaining a safe and inclusive campus where all community members have equal access to COA’s educational and employment opportunities. We strive to promote an environment of respect, safety, and well-being and will not tolerate gender-based or sexual discrimination nor sexual harassment of any kind.
As faculty members, we are considered "responsible employees" and are required to share any disclosures of sexual or gender-based misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator. This includes disclosures of experiences that happened before an individual's time at COA. This is to ensure that all community members who have experienced sexual misconduct receive support, options, and information about their rights and resources. Community members are not obligated to respond to this outreach, and this will not generate a report to law enforcement.
For more information regarding Title IX, our institutional policy, and to access helpful resources, visit COA’s Title IX website: https://www.coa.edu/human-resources/title-ix.
If you have any questions or want to explore support and assistance, please contact COA’s Title IX Coordinator, Puranjot Kaur, at pkaur@coa.edu. Speaking to the Title IX Coordinator does not automatically initiate a college resolution. Instead, much of her work is around providing supportive measures to ensure you can continue to engage in COA's programs and activities.
Note on Pregnancy and Related Conditions:
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities. This prohibition on discrimination extends to pregnancy and related conditions. Pregnancy and related conditions encompass pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, false pregnancy, lactation, or recovery from any of these conditions.
Students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions may voluntarily initiate contact with the Title IX Coordinator to request reasonable adjustments available under Title IX. Reasonable adjustments may include but are not limited to: excusing student absences; allowing students to make up missed work; opportunities to move around during class; additional breaks; missing some or all of a class session to nurse or pump, and to have the opportunity to make up any work missed. Information on lactation space on campus can be found here: http://www.coa.edu/human-resources/title-ix/support-resources/lactation-space.
Students who believe they have been subject to discrimination because of pregnancy or related condition status may file a formal complaint with the Title IX Coordinator. If you are a pregnant or parenting student, and you are in need of any adjustments. please let me know at your earliest convenience.
The building in which we gather for this class, and all of College of the Atlantic, is located on traditional lands of the Wabanaki people. The four Native American tribes in Maine today are the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy, collectively referred to as the Wabanaki. I believe it is important to acknowledge that our presence on this land entangles us in the web of colonialism, past and present. The future, however, is still unwritten.