MATH 168
Introduction to Networks
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: courses 115A, 170E (or 170A or Electrical and Computer Engineering 131A or Statistics 100A). Introduction to network science (including theory, computation, and applications), which can be used to study complex systems of interacting agents. Study of networks in technology, social, information, biological, and mathematics involving basic structural features of networks, generative models of networks, network summary statistics, centrality, random graphs, clustering, and dynamical processes on networks. Introduction to advanced topics as time permits. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - I feel like I learned a lot in this class. In this class 50% of the grade was a group project (which included a 30 minute presentation and a PNAS style 6 page paper). Dr. Otter was a really good lecturer, and she was really willing to meet with us and help us with ideas for the project, and even look at drafts for the final paper. She genuinely cared a lot about student learning. The material taught in class was not too difficult, and the project was a lot of work - but it was totally worth it, and was a great learning opportunity. Also, the only listed prereq is Math 115A, but I would highly recommend a probability class like 170A/E and a class in differential equations like 33B or 134.
Spring 2020 - I feel like I learned a lot in this class. In this class 50% of the grade was a group project (which included a 30 minute presentation and a PNAS style 6 page paper). Dr. Otter was a really good lecturer, and she was really willing to meet with us and help us with ideas for the project, and even look at drafts for the final paper. She genuinely cared a lot about student learning. The material taught in class was not too difficult, and the project was a lot of work - but it was totally worth it, and was a great learning opportunity. Also, the only listed prereq is Math 115A, but I would highly recommend a probability class like 170A/E and a class in differential equations like 33B or 134.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2022 - We had one 24-hour take-home midterm and a final project. In my opinion, the midterm was relatively easy since it was similar to the homework. I mostly used the textbook instead of the lectures for homework, since lectures can be slightly unhelpful. However, Mason is incredibly passionate about the topic and loves cracking jokes during class which kept us engaged. Grace, the TA, is very helpful and nice and is always willing to help with homework. The final group project was very fun since we got to pick our own topic and apply what we learned in class, and also it's pretty useful when applying to jobs. We worked on the project for about 5 weeks (I think) and had meetings with MP to go over our progress and get suggestions. Even though it's been almost a year since I took this class, I still think about the project and how cool it was! I also liked the concept of a group project because normal math courses tend to be very antisocial, and the group project really helped alleviate that.
Spring 2022 - We had one 24-hour take-home midterm and a final project. In my opinion, the midterm was relatively easy since it was similar to the homework. I mostly used the textbook instead of the lectures for homework, since lectures can be slightly unhelpful. However, Mason is incredibly passionate about the topic and loves cracking jokes during class which kept us engaged. Grace, the TA, is very helpful and nice and is always willing to help with homework. The final group project was very fun since we got to pick our own topic and apply what we learned in class, and also it's pretty useful when applying to jobs. We worked on the project for about 5 weeks (I think) and had meetings with MP to go over our progress and get suggestions. Even though it's been almost a year since I took this class, I still think about the project and how cool it was! I also liked the concept of a group project because normal math courses tend to be very antisocial, and the group project really helped alleviate that.
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