Program Overview

Program Description

The QSS/MATH 30.04 course introduces basic concepts in evolutionary game theory, including evolutionarily stable strategies, replicator dynamics, finite populations, and games on networks, along with applications to social evolution, particularly to understanding human cooperation.

Prerequisites

• Math 20
• Familiarity with calculus, basic concepts in probability, and ordinary differential equations
• Programming skills are helpful but not required

Suggested Textbooks

• Nowak, M. A. (2006). Evolutionary dynamics. Harvard University Press.
• Sigmund, K. (2010). The calculus of selfishness. Princeton University Press.

Grading Formula

The grading formula consists of:

• Four homework problem sets (40%)
• Final projects (50%) on topics of your choice
• Flash talk based on the project (10%)

Final Project Requirements

• A significant component of using quantitative methods (game theory models, statistical analyses, or simulations)
• A final report (~15 pages) written in the format of a scientific paper

Instructor and Course Schedule

• Instructor: Professor Olivia Chu (Section I), Professor Feng Fu (Section II), Mathematics Department, Dartmouth College
• Registrar Scheduled Course Time: MWF 10:10am-11:15am (x-hour Th 12:15pm-1:05pm)

Important Dates

• Final project proposal due on: 20 April 2022
• Homework problem sets due biweekly
• Final project presentations: in the week of 23 May 2022 (Week 9)
• Final project report due on: 3 June 2022
• Course withdrawal deadlines:
  • 9 May 2022: Final day for dropping a 4th course
  • 18 May 2022: Final day to withdraw from a course

Syllabus

The tentative lecture plan includes:

• Week 1: Evolutionary Games: Introduction & Overview
• Week 2: Stability Concepts: Nash Equilibrium vs. Evolutionarily Stable Strategy
• Week 3: Replicator Equations and Its Connection with Ecological Dynamics
• Week 4: Social Dilemmas of Cooperation
• Week 5: Rules for Cooperation
• Week 6: Repeated Games
• Week 7: Beyond Pairwise Interactions: Multi-Person Games
• Week 8: Spatial Games
• Week 9: Adaptive Dynamics
• Week 10: Evolutionary Branching
• Week 11: Finite Populations I
• Week 12: Finite Population II
• Week 13: Evolutionary Graph Theory
• Week 14: Vaccination Dilemma
• Week 15: Evolutionary Dynamics of In-group Favoritism
• Week 16: Evolution of Homophily

Course Projects and Presentation Schedule

• Approximately 4 weeks are given to complete the final essay/final project
• The instructor will suggest project ideas, but students are allowed to propose their own
• Each essay/project presentation is limited to 10 minutes and preferably in the style of TED talks

Course Policies

Class Recording Notifications to Students

• Consent to recording of course meetings and office hours that are open to multiple students
• Requirement of consent to one-on-one recordings

Honor Principle

• Collaborations during closed-book exams and quizzes are strictly prohibited
• Any form of plagiarism is not allowed in the final project

Student Accessibility and Accommodations

• Students requesting disability-related accommodations and services are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the instructor
• In order for accommodations to be authorized, students are required to consult with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Student Religious Observances

• Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term
• If you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please meet with the instructor before the end of the second week of the term

Mental Health and Wellness

• The academic environment at Dartmouth is challenging, and classes are not the only demanding part of your life
• There are a number of resources available to you on campus to support your wellness

Late Policy

• Please request appropriate accommodations if you expect delays in turning in your assignments
• Otherwise, by "deadline" we really mean it
• An extension of maximum 4 days will be granted on a case-by-case basis
• In exceptional circumstances, students with disabilities should inform the instructor of their accommodation requests well in advance.