Master the mathematical and computational foundations of graph theory and network analysis in this comprehensive course for problem-solvers and analytical thinkers. Explore how graphs model real-world systems—such as social networks, transportation grids, communication systems, and biological pathways. Begin with core concepts like graph properties, connectivity, and planarity, then advance to topics like graph coloring, matching algorithms, network flows, and optimization. Learn to design efficient algorithms, analyze centrality measures, compute maximum flows, and solve minimal cost flow problems. Through mathematical rigor and practical application, you’ll develop both theoretical insight and hands-on problem-solving skills. Applications span scheduling, frequency assignment, image processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Ideal for aspiring researchers, data scientists, and network engineers, this course equips you with essential tools to analyze, optimize, and visualize interconnected systems across diverse domains.

Graphs and Networks

Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Fundamentals of discrete mathematics, basic programming skills, and familiarity with data structures are recommended.
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Fundamentals of discrete mathematics, basic programming skills, and familiarity with data structures are recommended.
What you'll learn
Model several real-world problems as graphs and solve them using various graph-theoretic concepts like planarity, coloring, matching, and domination.
Design and analyze connected graphs and directed graphs.
Understand different crucial parameters associated with a network, such as similarity and centrality.
Learn about flow in a network and its related concepts, which are critical for optimizing network performance.
Details to know

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November 2025
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There are 10 modules in this course
In this module, you will get a comprehensive introduction to graph theory, emphasizing both the practical importance of graphs in real-world scenarios and the fundamental mathematical concepts underpinning them. The module consists of two lessons: the first addresses why graphs are essential tools for understanding and solving complex problems across diverse fields. The second lesson delves into the formal definitions of graphs, introducing students to key graph-theoretical terms and concepts such as vertices, edges, adjacency, incidences, degree sequences, directed graphs, isomorphism, and graph representations.
What's included
13 videos4 readings12 assignments
13 videos• Total 97 minutes
- Meet Your Instructor - Prof. Siddharth Gupta• 1 minute
- Meet Your Instructor - Prof. Y V K Ravi Kumar• 2 minutes
- Course Introductory Video• 3 minutes
- Modeling Real World Networks as Graphs• 7 minutes
- Real World Problems as Graphs• 9 minutes
- Graphs and Basic Definitions• 9 minutes
- Degrees in Graphs• 11 minutes
- Degree Sequences in Graphs• 11 minutes
- Graph Sequences and Subgraphs• 11 minutes
- Common Classes of Graphs• 6 minutes
- Directed Graph• 9 minutes
- Graph Isomorphism• 9 minutes
- Graph Representation• 8 minutes
4 readings• Total 110 minutes
- Course Overview• 10 minutes
- Course Structure & Critical Information• 10 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Why Learn Graphs?• 30 minutes
- Recommended Reading: What are Graphs?• 60 minutes
12 assignments• Total 108 minutes
- Modeling Real World Networks as Graphs• 3 minutes
- Real World Problems as Graphs• 6 minutes
- Graphs and Basic Definitions• 6 minutes
- Degrees in Graphs• 3 minutes
- Degree Sequences in Graphs• 3 minutes
- Graph Sequences and Subgraphs• 3 minutes
- Common Classes of Graphs• 6 minutes
- Directed Graph• 6 minutes
- Graph Isomorphism• 6 minutes
- Graph Representation• 6 minutes
- Let's Practice: Introduction to Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Introduction to Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
In this module, you will learn about the critical concepts of connectivity and reachability within both undirected and directed graphs, which are fundamental for understanding how vertices are connected. The module consists of two lessons: the first addresses the concepts related to undirected graph connectivity, like vertex connectivity, edge connectivity, and the relation between them. It also gives an alternate view of connectivity through disjoint paths and local connectivity. The second lesson addresses the concepts related to directed graph connectivity, like weak and strong connectivity, oriented graphs, and strong tournaments.
What's included
12 videos2 readings14 assignments
12 videos• Total 107 minutes
- Vertex Connectivity• 11 minutes
- Edge Connectivity• 10 minutes
- Vertex and Edge Connectivity• 11 minutes
- Vertex and Edge Connectivity of Cubic Graphs• 9 minutes
- Menger’s Theorem• 7 minutes
- 1- and 2- Connected Graphs• 9 minutes
- Bridges and Cut-Vertices• 8 minutes
- Types of Connectivity• 7 minutes
- Strong Directed Graphs• 8 minutes
- Graph Orientation• 10 minutes
- Tournament• 10 minutes
- Strong Tournament• 7 minutes
2 readings• Total 100 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Undirected Graph Connectivity• 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Directed Graph Connectivity• 40 minutes
14 assignments• Total 111 minutes
- Vertex Connectivity• 6 minutes
- Edge Connectivity• 6 minutes
- Vertex and Edge Connectivity• 3 minutes
- Vertex and Edge Connectivity of Cubic Graphs• 3 minutes
- Menger’s Theorem• 3 minutes
- 1- and 2- Connected Graphs• 3 minutes
- Bridges and Cut-Vertices• 6 minutes
- Types of Connectivity• 3 minutes
- Strong Directed Graphs• 6 minutes
- Graph Orientation• 6 minutes
- Tournament• 3 minutes
- Strong Tournament• 3 minutes
- Let's Practice: Connectivity and Reachability• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Connectivity and Reachability• 30 minutes
In this module, you will learn about an important graph class, namely planar graphs. The module consists of two lessons: the first introduces and discusses planar graphs, planar drawings, and planar embeddings, their characterisation and properties, and various classes of planar graphs, like maximal plane graphs and outerplanar graphs. The second lesson addresses concepts and properties of dual graphs, a graph associated with any plane graph, like the relation between graph elements of primal and dual graphs, self-dual graphs, and the relationship between bipartite graphs and their dual.
What's included
11 videos2 readings13 assignments
11 videos• Total 97 minutes
- Planar Graphs and Drawings• 10 minutes
- Euler’s Polyhedral Formula• 7 minutes
- Properties of Planar Graphs• 8 minutes
- Application of Euler’s Theorem• 9 minutes
- Recognition of Planar Graphs• 11 minutes
- Maximal Planar Graphs• 9 minutes
- Outerplanar Graphs• 10 minutes
- Dual Graph and its Properties• 13 minutes
- Self-Dual Graphs• 10 minutes
- Bipartite Graph and its Dual Graph• 6 minutes
- Planarity of Dual Graph• 5 minutes
2 readings• Total 90 minutes
- Recommended Reading: What is a Planar Graph?• 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Dual Graphs• 30 minutes
13 assignments• Total 93 minutes
- Planar Graphs and Drawings• 3 minutes
- Euler’s Polyhedral Formula• 3 minutes
- Properties of Planar Graphs• 3 minutes
- Application of Euler’s Theorem• 3 minutes
- Recognition of Planar Graphs • 3 minutes
- Maximal Planar Graphs• 3 minutes
- Outerplanar Graphs• 3 minutes
- Dual Graph and its Properties• 3 minutes
- Self-Dual Graphs• 3 minutes
- Bipartite Graph and its Dual Graph• 3 minutes
- Planarity of Dual Graph• 3 minutes
- Let's Practice: Planar Graphs• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Planar Graphs• 30 minutes
In this module, you will learn about several important graph parameters, namely colouring, independent set, clique, matching, and domination. The module consists of two lessons: the first introduces the famous problem of map colouring and how it relates to vertex colouring of a planar graph. Furthermore, it introduces independent sets and cliques of a graph and how they relate to vertex colouring, as well as discusses various bounds and relationships among these parameters. The second lesson introduces matching and domination and discusses a few of their properties.
What's included
12 videos2 readings14 assignments
12 videos• Total 111 minutes
- Vertex Colouring• 8 minutes
- Timetable Scheduling Using Vertex Colouring• 8 minutes
- Independent Set• 8 minutes
- Vertex Colouring and Independent Set• 9 minutes
- Graphs with Minimum and Maximum Chromatic Number• 6 minutes
- Clique• 9 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Clique Number• 16 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Subgraphs• 9 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Maximum Degree• 6 minutes
- Coloring Planar Graphs• 10 minutes
- Matchings• 11 minutes
- Domination• 11 minutes
2 readings• Total 120 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Colouring, Independent Set & Clique• 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Matchings and Domination• 60 minutes
14 assignments• Total 96 minutes
- Vertex Colouring• 3 minutes
- Timetable Scheduling Using Vertex Colouring• 3 minutes
- Independent Set• 3 minutes
- Vertex Colouring and Independent Set• 3 minutes
- Graphs with Minimum and Maximum Chromatic Number• 3 minutes
- Clique• 3 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Clique Number• 3 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Subgraphs• 3 minutes
- Chromatic Number and Maximum Degree• 3 minutes
- Colouring Planar Graphs• 3 minutes
- Matchings• 3 minutes
- Domination• 3 minutes
- Let's Practice: Graph Parameters• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Graph Parameters• 30 minutes
In this module, you’ll learn about representing real-world scenarios using networks, delving into their applications across diverse domains. You’ll explore the fundamental differences between graphs and networks, understand how networks capture complex relationships, and examine examples like social networks, transportation systems, and biological networks. Additionally, you’ll study the mathematical models that describe their structure and behavior, providing a foundation for analyzing real-world connectivity and interactions.
What's included
9 videos1 reading3 assignments
9 videos• Total 41 minutes
- Introduction• 5 minutes
- Classification of Networks• 3 minutes
- Random Networks• 6 minutes
- Scale-Free Networks• 3 minutes
- SFN - Mathematical Model• 5 minutes
- Comparison of ER and BA Models• 3 minutes
- Small World Networks • 6 minutes
- SWN - Mathematical Model• 6 minutes
- Few More Types of Networks• 3 minutes
1 reading• Total 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Types of Networks• 60 minutes
3 assignments• Total 75 minutes
- Types of Networks• 15 minutes
- Let's Practice: Real World Networks• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Real World Networks• 30 minutes
In this module, you’ll explore key measures and properties used to analyze and understand networks. Learn how to assess the degree of connectivity between nodes and apply various classes of measures to uncover meaningful insights tailored to different network applications.
What's included
9 videos2 readings4 assignments
9 videos• Total 56 minutes
- Introduction• 6 minutes
- Similarity as a Measure• 3 minutes
- Structural Similarity• 11 minutes
- Introduction• 3 minutes
- Degree Centrality• 5 minutes
- Betweenness Centrality• 7 minutes
- Closeness Centrality• 8 minutes
- Eigen Vector Centrality• 6 minutes
- Eigen Vector Centrality - Example• 7 minutes
2 readings• Total 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Similarity in Networks• 30 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Centrality in Networks• 30 minutes
4 assignments• Total 84 minutes
- Similarity in Networks• 12 minutes
- Centrality in Networks• 12 minutes
- Let's Practice: Network Analysis Measures• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Network Analysis Measures• 30 minutes
This module explores network flow concepts and optimization algorithms, including the min-max principle. You’ll gain practical skills in modeling transport networks, optimizing node-to-node connections, and applying effective matching strategies in flow networks.
What's included
10 videos1 reading3 assignments
10 videos• Total 81 minutes
- Flows in a Network• 11 minutes
- Feasible Flows• 4 minutes
- Feasible Flows - Example• 8 minutes
- Super Sources and Super Sinks• 8 minutes
- Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm• 7 minutes
- Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm - Example• 11 minutes
- Edmonds-Karp Algorithm• 3 minutes
- Edmonds-Karp Algorithm - Example• 7 minutes
- Dinic's Algorithm• 5 minutes
- Dinic's Algorithm - Example• 17 minutes
1 reading• Total 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Flows and Maximal Cost Flows• 60 minutes
3 assignments• Total 75 minutes
- Flows and Maximal Cost Flows• 15 minutes
- Let's Practice: Network Flows• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Network Flows• 30 minutes
This module delves into techniques for solving minimal cost flow problems in networks. You’ll learn key algorithms such as the Successive Shortest Path and Cycle-Cancelling methods, and explore practical examples of their application. The module also introduces the Network Simplex Algorithm and demonstrates the use of linear programming solvers for optimizing network flows.
What's included
7 videos1 reading3 assignments
7 videos• Total 58 minutes
- Introduction• 4 minutes
- Successive Shortest Path Algorithm• 8 minutes
- Cycle – Cancelling Algorithm• 10 minutes
- Successive Shortest Path Algorithm - Example• 8 minutes
- Cycle Cancelling Algorithm - Example• 8 minutes
- Network Simplex Algorithm• 8 minutes
- Linear Programming (LP) Solver• 13 minutes
1 reading• Total 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Minimal Cost Flows• 60 minutes
3 assignments• Total 75 minutes
- Minimal Cost Flows• 15 minutes
- Let's Practice: Minimal Cost Flow in a Network • 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Minimal Cost Flow in a Network • 30 minutes
This module focuses on matchings within graphs and networks, providing insights into their structure and functionality. You’ll learn to model graphs, identify matchings, and apply optimal node-to-node correspondence strategies. The module also covers advanced techniques for implementing matching strategies in flow networks.
What's included
10 videos3 readings5 assignments
10 videos• Total 69 minutes
- Introduction• 13 minutes
- Applications of Matching• 3 minutes
- Types of Matching• 6 minutes
- Hungarian Algorithm• 4 minutes
- Hopcroft - Karp Algorithm• 7 minutes
- Hopcroft - Karp Algorithm - Example• 5 minutes
- Blossom Algorithm• 10 minutes
- Blossom Algorithm - Example• 7 minutes
- Perfect Matching• 8 minutes
- Maximum Bipartite Matching• 6 minutes
3 readings• Total 90 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Matchings• 30 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Maximum Matchings• 30 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Other Matchings• 30 minutes
5 assignments• Total 90 minutes
- Matchings• 9 minutes
- Maximum Matchings• 12 minutes
- Other Matchings• 9 minutes
- Let's Practice: Matchings in Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Matchings in Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
In this module, you will learn about various applications and a few advanced topics of graphs and networks. The module consists of two lessons: the first addresses applications of graphs and networks to various topics and fields like Image Processing, Pattern Recognition, Economics, Biological Networks, AI, and ML. The second lesson introduces a few advanced topics and gives an insight into these topics by giving a few examples of the type of questions researchers study in these area.
What's included
9 videos3 readings11 assignments
9 videos• Total 61 minutes
- Scheduling Tournaments• 9 minutes
- Defending the Roman Empire• 5 minutes
- Assignment of Radio Frequencies• 7 minutes
- Connected Component Labeling• 6 minutes
- Economics and Biological Networks• 6 minutes
- Trees in Computer Science• 5 minutes
- Computational Geometry• 7 minutes
- Graph Drawing• 9 minutes
- Combinatorial Reconfiguration• 7 minutes
3 readings• Total 130 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Applications• 60 minutes
- Recommended Reading: Advanced Topics• 60 minutes
- Course Summary• 10 minutes
11 assignments• Total 99 minutes
- Scheduling Tournaments• 6 minutes
- Defending the Roman Empire• 3 minutes
- Assignment of Radio Frequencies• 6 minutes
- Connected Component Labeling• 3 minutes
- Economics and Biological Networks• 3 minutes
- Trees in Computer Science• 3 minutes
- Computational Geometry• 6 minutes
- Graph Drawing• 6 minutes
- Combinatorial Reconfiguration• 3 minutes
- Let's Practice: Applications of Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
- Test Yourself: Applications of Graphs & Networks• 30 minutes
Instructor

Offered by

Offered by

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) is one of only ten private universities in India to be recognised as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. It has been consistently ranked high by both governmental and private ranking agencies for its innovative processes and capabilities that have enabled it to impart quality education and emerge as the best private science and engineering institute in India. BITS Pilani has four international campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai, and has been offering bachelor's, master’s, and certificate programmes for over 58 years, helping to launch the careers for over 1,00,000 professionals.
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