Continuous Individual coursework (20%)

On learning central there are 9 online quizzes available to you.

You can complete each test when it is released. The deadline for completing all of them is at the end of the Spring Semester.

Research projects

There are two research projects to be carried out:

An individual research project (20%)
A group research project (60%)

The choice of topic is yours, two potential general subjects:

Prove and illustrate a theorem from the notes (or otherwise);
Model a real world scenario using game theory.

You are encouraged to use code to tackling the numerical computations to allow you to delve further in to the investigation you choose.

Marking criteria

40-44%

The work shows limited effort and lacks clarity and insight.
Ideas are vague, disorganized, and not well supported.
Limited understanding of basic game theory concepts, such as Nash equilibrium.
Arguments, if present, are weak and lack structure or evidence.
Overall, the submission suggests significant gaps in understanding or preparation.

45-54%

Some understanding of the topic is evident, but analysis is basic and lacks depth.
Concepts such as payoff matrices or dominance strategies are included but may be inaccurate or superficial.
Writing is somewhat clear but may lack precision or organization.
Evidence and examples, such as real-world applications, are limited or not well integrated.
The work shows effort but is underdeveloped.

55-64%%

Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of game theory with moderately developed ideas.
Key concepts, such as mixed strategies or utility theory, are mostly accurate but lack deeper exploration.
Writing is clear and organized, with occasional lapses in coherence.
Supporting evidence is relevant but may not fully support arguments.
The submission is competent but not particularly original or insightful.

65-69%

Shows strong understanding of game theory with well-developed ideas and analysis.
Key concepts are applied accurately and effectively.
Writing is effective, with good organization and clear transitions.
Evidence and examples, such as real-world scenarios, are relevant and support the reseach well.
The submission is solid but may not achieve a high level of originality or insight.

70-74%

Displays a strong understanding of the topic with insightful analysis.
Concepts such as evolutionary game theory or repeated games are explored thoughtfully and creatively.
Writing is polished, with clear organization and precise language.
Evidence is well-chosen and effectively integrated.
The submission may need minor refinement.

75-79%

Exceptional understanding of game theory with advanced analysis and arguments.
Key ideas are connected to broader contexts.
Writing is consistently polished and clear.
Evidence is of high quality adding depth to the analysis.
The work is excellent but may lack the highest level of originality or rigor.

80-84%

Exemplary work with advanced understanding of game theory.
Analysis is insightful and connects to broader or interdisciplinary topics, such as behavioral economics or biology.
Writing is excellent, with clarity and coherence throughout.
Evidence is of high relevance, such as critiques of existing literature.
The submission is of publishable quality with minor refinements.

85-89%

Outstanding mastery of game theory, pushing boundaries of understanding.
Arguments are highly original and innovative, such as advanced approaches to repeated or dynamic games.
Writing is flawless, with professional clarity and tone.
Evidence is unique and effectively supports arguments, including advanced mathematical models or simulations.
The work sets a high standard for excellence.

90-94%

An extraordinary piece of work with groundbreaking analysis.
Unique perspectives and methods are applied to topics like incomplete information games or advanced equilibrium refinements.
Writing is exceptional, with engaging and clear presentation.
Evidence and examples are original, such as innovative takes on classic problems or stochastic games.
The submission is of publishable quality and demonstrates critical and creative engagement.

95-100%

Exceptional work demonstrating a profound understanding of game theory.
Analysis and ideas are highly original, creative, and well-supported.
Writing is professional and engaging, clearly communicating complex ideas.
Evidence and examples, whether theoretical or computational, are thoughtfully chosen and seamlessly integrated.
This level represents outstanding academic achievement, demonstrating both depth and originality, for those who fully engage with the subject matter.

Specific Criteria Descriptions

1. Content and Depth

Demonstrates understanding of relevant topics.
Includes original and creative ideas.
Covers key concepts such as Nash equilibrium, Bayesian games, or bargaining solutions accurately and appropriately.
Effectively incorporates computational tools to support analysis and exploration.

2. Writing Style and Organization

Ideas are presented clearly and logically.
Writing is organized and uses suitable language.
Sections flow well and enhance the overall argument.

3. Evidence and Supporting Details

Includes relevant and well-integrated evidence.
Uses examples or visuals, like payoff matrices or diagrams, to clarify points.
Demonstrates effective use of computational outputs to support arguments.

4. Analysis and Argumentation

Develops clear and logical arguments.
Uses evidence effectively to build ideas.
Incorporates computational tools to replace repetitive calculations and enable deeper analysis.
Addresses counterarguments where relevant.

Individual research project (20%)

Due date: approximately end of week 11.

Write a 3 page paper applying Game Theory to a chosen topic of your choice.

Your final submission should include a single pdf file.

Group research project (60%)

Due date: end of the Spring Semester.

Carry out a group research project using Game Theory for a chosen topic of your choice.

You will evidence your work with 2 mediums:

A 2 page paper
A 15 minute recorded presentation

Your final submission should include the following 3 files:

A main.pdf file: the pdf file for a 2 page paper written in LaTeX.
A presentation.mp4 (or similar file format): the video recording of your 15 minute presentation
A contribution.md file: a file describing the contributions of every member of your group.

Past group projects

A list of titles of past projects:

2023-2024

Is Chess Dead? A Game Theoretic Investigation
Using Replicator Dynamics to Model Seating Strategies in Abacws
To Fish Or Not To Fish : Modelling Competition Between Fisheries
Should I Stay? or Should I Go? The Game Theory of Divorce
Connect 4: Is There a Strategy to Beat All Strategies?
Size matter: Relating sizes to herbivores strategies in biosystem
Evolutionary Stability of Fast Passes in Theme Parks
Fight or Flight: Are the odds really in your favour?
The Optimal Strategy for Mastering Card-Jitsu
The Study of Gossip using Evolutionary Game Theory
Climate Conundrums: A Game Theoretic Approach to Global Climate Agreements
The Art of War: Applying Game Theory to Risk
Exploring Auction Theory
Bats and their drinking habits: A study into the emergence of altruism
Modelling Risk
Is Makeup a Game That Can Be Played?
Beyond Golden Balls
Duopoly Price Wars
Analysis of F1 Pit Stop Strategies
How Shopping Trolleys Determine A Society?
Hotel of Hazards: Spy Survival

2022-2023

A game theoretic model for the spread of bird flu
Does Crime-Pay? Co-Evolution of Insider Trading and its Regulation
Modelling Monster Hunter World Using Replicator Dynamics
Money Exchange Game
A game theoretical analysis of strategy steps
Should a Country Prioritize Military Spending at the Expense of Economic Growth?
Using the Moran Process to Cast Dating Shows
An exploration of University Project Strategies
How to survive the Werewolves
Global Co-Operation: Central to Addressing Climate Change
A visualisation of evolutionary processes using the hawk and dove game
Game Theory: End Game Chess
A Game Theoretic Analysis of Netflix’s Decision to Ban Password Sharing
Dirty Dilemmas; Exploring Game Theory in the Dishwashing Dynamics of Shared Households
Academic vs Alcohol: An Investigation into Student Drinking Habits
The Traitors: Support or Betray
Exploring the Applications of Game Theory to Chessboxing
An Exploration of the Game Theory in Mahjong
Game Theory for optimal portfolio selection
The Evolution of Online Dating: Examining the Unique Approaches of Tinder and Hinge
Game Theory of Interview Scheduling
The Game Theory of playing Hard to get
Liar’s Dice: a game of deceit
Decision making in Cricket Based on Weather Conditions Using Game Theory
Modelling penalties effectively with use of probability
Is Cheat Really the Name of the Game?
Analyze the Best Move in a Five-in-a-row Endgame

2021-2022

The domestication of foxes through game theory
Noughts and Crosses
Love or money (Love Island)
A game theory investigation of chess openings
How engagement in social media can effect news
Fairness and game theory
What if there was a 4th strategy to rock paper scissors?
Going once, going twice… Sold! To the best player.
Applying game theory from the cold war to modern day.
Representing the dollar auction using game theory.
Which price setting strategy is best for competing companies to maximise profit: price war or price match guarantee
The evolution of Twenty20 cricket
Prisoner’s dilemma: applying Axelrod’s strategies to Amazon Prime versus Netflix
Analysing Wales’ decision to enter lockdown in response to England’s strategy during the COVID 19 pandemic
Maximising profit in a duopoly market
An iterated three person prisoner’s dilemma
Game theory of tennis
Vaccines if you please
A Monte Carlo analysis on the effects of the morality metrics in the iterated prisoners dilemma.
Cheating at a two player card game with a probability of being caught
Does self interest optimise public good?
Investigating a replicator dynamics model of Frank’s Zoo
The effect of implementing a budget cap on the Premier league
Can game theory explain football player prices?
Effective strategies in competitive bargaining tournaments

Log of past relevant classes

05/21/24: Overview of assessment performance

In this post I will discuss the performance of the class:

04/16/24: Individual Coursework Feedback

I have marked the individual coursework and the overall performance is impressive: the average mark is 85%.

02/16/24: Mid module feedback and meetings

On Tuesday we had two class. We went through your mid module feedback and had a brief discussion about meetings.

07/04/23: Overview of group coursework performance

The group coursework is a difficult assessment marked on a difficult scale. Summary of the class marks are here:

03/21/23: Discussing the individual coursework

In class today we discussed the individual coursework. I did my best to take all questions and ensure everyone understood what each question is asking for.

02/23/23: Mid module feedback

On Friday you spent some time filling in the mid module feedback for Game Theory. Here I will go over some of the recurring points raised.

02/14/23: Valentines day

In today’s class we spoke about a deadline for the individual coursework but spent most of our time taking the initial steps that a research project would take to model gift giving for Valentines day.