EE6605

Complex Networks: Modeling, Dynamics and Control

Course Aims and Objectives: 

This course will study the emerging topic of complex networks, especially those regarded as evolving and dynamical, i.e. huge and diverse in many respects. Complex networks such as the Internet, WWW, transportation networks, power grids, biological neural networks, and scientific cooperation networks of all kinds provide challenges for future technological development. In particular, advanced societies have become dependent on large infrastructural networks to an extent beyond our capability to plan (modeling) and to operate (control). The recent spate of collapses in power grids and ongoing virus attacks on the Internet illustrate the need for knowledge about modeling, analysis of behaviors, optimized planning and performance control in such networks. For advancement of techniques, it has become clear that more fundamental knowledge will be needed in an engineering context about how dynamical networks emerge, behave, adapt, self-organize, evolve, and how they can be controlled. The aim is to present the status of these topics and some basic techniques of various complex dynamical networks.

Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to
· apply basic concepts to build representative network models
· analyze the effects of network structures on dynamical behaviors
· determine local and global network stability, synchronizability and controllability
· develop efficient and/or optimized algorithms
· control data traffic flows and network topological effects
· employ the learned techniques to solve some practical problems

Units:  3 

Level:  P6 

Medium of Instruction: English

Syllabus: 

Network Structures and Properties

Recent advances in scientific literature including the complexity of models, degree distributions, random graphs, small-world characteristics, scale-free features, and network modeling

Network Dynamics

Network dynamical behaviors; stability and synchronization; self-organization and emergence; community structures; network evolution and control

Network Performance

Internet topology; network evolution; information flows; epidemics spreading; cascade failures; network search; network stability

Network Synchronization and Control

Network synchronization phenomena and criteria; network stabilization and pinning control; data traffic congestion control; design and optimization of network topology

Potential Applications

Internet; power grids; transportation; physical, economic and social networks

Teaching Methods:

Lecturing is the core of teaching. Lectures will involve presentations by some students and invited speakers. Reading materials will be assigned. Two projects will be assigned. One homework assignment will be given each week (except the first and the last weeks). 

Teaching Pattern:
Duration of course: 1 semester
Offered in: Semester B
Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 
Total Hours:  Lectures 39 hours (including student and guest presentations)

Assessment Pattern: 

Examination duration:  2 hours, at the end of the semester

Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.:

40% CW (homework 20%; projects 20%); 60% Exam.

Requirement: For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

Pre-requisites: Nil 

Pre-cursor: Nil

Equivalent Courses: Nil 

Booklist: 

Textbook
Use Lecture Notes

References (recommended but not required)

[1]  X. F. Wang, X. Li and G. R. Chen, Introduction to Complex Dynamical networks (in Chinese), Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, 2006.

[2]  S. N. Dorogavtsev and J. F. F. Mendes, Evolution of Networks: From Biological Nets to the Internet and WWW, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003.