Michigan State University

COURSE PAGE:   http://www.math.msu.edu/~magyar/graph .

INSTRUCTOR:   Peter Magyar,  magyar@math.msu.edu,  tel. 353-6330

OFFICE HOURS:  Mon, Wed, Fri 10am--12:00pm, Wells Hall D-326,and by appointment. Map

LECTURE:  Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:50-2:40pm, Wells Hall C-212. Map 

REFERENCES:  On reserve at the Math Library.

• Required Text:   B. Bollobás, Modern Graph Theory,(Springer 1998).

• Recommended:
  • J.M. Harris, J.L. Hirst, M.J. Mossinghoff,Combinatorics and Graph Theory (Springer 2000).  Undergrad-level introduction.
  • R. Diestel, Graph Theory (Springer 2002).  Standard graduate text.
  • G. Davidoff, P. Sarnak, A. Valette, Elementary Number Theory, Group Theory and Ramanujan Graphs (Cambridge Univ. Press 2003).   Elementary text on expanders.
  • A. Lubotzky, Discrete Groups, Expanding Graphs and Invariant Measures (Birkhauser 1994).   More advanced text on expanders.

GRADES:  Based on periodic for-credit homework assignments and in-class quizzes. The quizzes will usually be on Fridays, announced the preceding Monday.

GENERAL ADVICE:  This is a graduate course, and I will expect a high level of self-motivation. I will not collect or grade most of the homework, but it is crucial for you to do it all, since this is the only way to really understand the concepts. Hearing me explain is not enough: you must do it for yourself, or you are wasting your time.

We will go rapidly from basic definitions to quite sophisticated material, and you will quickly cease to understand the lectures if you fall behind. Don't be afraid to ask questions in class, and make use of my office hours whenever you feel confused.