AH2205 Game Theory 7.5 credits

The course is divided into part I and part II. In the first part many different concepts will be introduced, including games on normal form, extensive form, incomplete information, static and repeated games, bounded rationality, auctions, mechanism design, evolutionary game theory, Markov games and learning in games. Many different solution concepts will be introduced, and their realism visavi different applications will be assessed.

As a part of the examination, the student will choose a game strategy in different games, and motivate them from a game-theoretic point of view. The outcome of their strategies will be analysed in a game with other students. Part I ends with a written exam, where the student is asked to analyse real world problems using game theoretic tools.

Part II is project based. The students will participate in a game, which changes from year to year. Examples of games include internet auctions, combinatorial auctions, procurement of public pension funds, routing etc. The students should program, in groups, a strategy (or an algorithm) which will participate in a game with the other students’ algorithms. The project will be assessed partly by the performance in the outcome of the game, partly by a written report. To analyse the outcome, given the written reports from other students, is an important part of the project.

The student should be able to identify game situations within different disciplines, and analyse these with game theoretic concepts. The student should be able to choose tools and solution concepts for real world game theoretic applications, and also to describe their pros and cons. If applicable, the student should be able to program an algorithm for different applications, such as internet auctions, routing, procurement etc. Finally, the student should be able to aquire new information from the scientific literature and account for for a new solution concept or algorithm, and also to assess the usefulness for a given problem.

Eligibility for single course sudents:

• Completed and documented upper secondary education and documented proficiency in Swedish B and English A (or equivalent) and
• 30 credits in Mathematics or 30 credits in the field of Technical or Natural sciences. 

• Completed and documented upper secondary education and documented proficiency in Swedish B and English A (or equivalent) and
• 30 credits in Mathematics or 30 credits in the field of Technical or Natural sciences. 

Martin J. Osborne, 2004, An Introduction to Game Theory, Oxford University Press

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• INL1 - Assignment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Written exam (TEN1; 1,5 cr), Assignments (INL1; 1,5 cr) and Project (PRO1; 4,5 cr)

Anders Karlström

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.