Unit information: Algorithmic and Economic Aspects of the Internet in 2015/16

Unit name	Algorithmic and Economic Aspects of the Internet
Unit code	COMSM2006
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Dave Cliff
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Computer Science
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides students with an overview of the design and functionality of algorithms which exploit the structure and reach of the internet and cloud, together with an understanding of the economic implications of the internet and the algorithms it enables. Syllabus includes:

Network analysis and algorithms: Graph theory; social networks; page rank and web crawler algorithms; network visualization; attack and defense on networks;

Cloud Computing: What is cloud computing? Technological and economic impacts of cloud computing. Key cloud-based algorithms.

Economics and the internet: Economics of digital goods; The network effect; The long tail debate; virtual economies in games; market-based control algorithms; trading algorithms

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, you will: understand and critically evaluate how the internet impacts the economics of enterprise; understand the key design features of a number of internet and cloud-based algorithms; be able to design web-based algorithms using economic principals.

Teaching Information

20 hours of lecture and 80 hours of coursework and reading.

Assessment Information

100% Exam

Reading and References

N. Carr (2008) The Big Switch: Rewiring the world from Edison to Google. W.W. Norton & Co.