Modeling, analysis and optimization of networks (part 1: flows) - (from 14/02/2018 to 08/03/2018)

Length : 15 hours

Abstract 

Networks are pervasive. Certainly our society heavily relies on computer networks, whose complexity scaled in a few decades from simple links among PCs in the same building to the rich structure of the Internet, in which heterogeneous nodes (ranging from datacenters to smartphones) connect by means of communication channels of diverse nature (cables, fiber optics, radio signals).

Indeed, this is just an example, as networks appear in many others - less obvious - contexts, like the modeling of social relations, the regulatory structure of genes, interactions in molecular dynamics, human transportation and distribution systems, just to name a few.

The PhD course will cover the issues of (a) understanding, extracting and exploiting network structures in various domains (b) modeling networks by means of mathematics (c) solving complex decision problems, and performing advanced analyses, by means of computer science methodologies, that is either selecting suitable existing algorithms and tools, or devising new ones.

The course is composed by two parts, the first focusing on routing, and especially on modeling and analyzing by means of network flows, the second covering the main foundational and algorithmic issues in optimal location and network design.

The 2017/18 year's edition will cover *part 1 (flows)*. Although the topics of the two parts are linked, no background knowledge from either part is strictly necessary to fully understand the lectures of the other.

Suggested Readings

Some working knowledge on mathematical modeling and basic computer programming skills.

Dates & Venue

Lecturer

Prof. Alberto Ceselli

Assessor

Prof. Alberto Ceselli