MT4554 Game Theory

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

09:00 am Monday (weeks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11), Tue, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr N Sfakianakis

Dr N Sfakianakis
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Nikos Sfakianakis; Dr Deborah Kent

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to game theory as a tool for modelling rational and non-rational human behaviour. The syllabus includes: Nash equilibria in normal form games, extensive form games and subgame perfection, repeated games and folk theorems and models of non-rational decision-making. We will focus on coordination games, ultimatum games and social dilemmas, and their relationship to problems such as nuclear brinksmanship and the evolution of cooperation.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS MT2503 AND PASS MT2504 ) OR PASS EC3304

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 90%, Coursework = 10%

Re-assessment

Oral examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2.5 lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

35

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the basic analytic tools of game theory, such as dominant strategies and Nash equilibrium
  • Understand how to analyse different types of games, such as coordination games, social dilemmas and ultimatum games
  • Analyse the Nash equilibria (and related classes of stable strategy) for normal form, dynamic and repeated games
  • Analyse the strategic dynamics that occur in these games including basic models of non-rational decision-making
  • Demonstrate computational skills in Python through programming basic models of repeated games
  • Understand how game theory relates to real world human social interaction across a variety of contexts