This is the website for the UCSB course ME/ECE 269 “Network Systems”, Fall 2021. This website's URL is http://motion.me.ucsb.edu/ME269-Fall2021. A pdf version of this documentation is available on the course website.

Offical Description

Motivating socio/economic networks, power grids, multi-agent robotics. Perron-Frobenius matrix theory and algebraic graph theory. Fundamental dynamics in networks: averaging dynamics in discrete and continuous time; positive and compartmental systems; coupled oscillator systems; virus propagation models; population dynamic models; robotic coordination problems.

The course is intended primarily for graduate students interested in network science, dynamics over networks, cooperative and distributed control, distributed systems, and distributed algorithms. Topics will include: (1) Perron Frobenius theory, (2) graph theory and algebraic graph theory, (3) basic network models such as averaging dynamics in discrete and continuous time, compartmental flow and positive systems, (4) stability theory for nonlinear systems, (5) Lotka-Volterra population dynamics, virus propagation dynamics, and coupled-oscillators dynamics, (6) examples are drawn from socio-economic networks, power grids, robotics.

Prerequisites

Competency in linear algebra, nonlinear dynamical systems and linear control systems.

Textbook

• The main source is the following document:
  Lectures on Network Systems version 1.5, Sep 1, 2021, by Francesco Bullo.
  The document is available at http://motion.me.ucsb.edu/book-lns
  You are welcome to download the textbook in standard format as well as in slide format.

Lecture Time and Place

The course will be

• Tuesday 9:30am-10:45am, Engineering Bldg II, room 2243, ME Classroom
  

• Thursday 9:30am-10:45am online. Zoom room to be announced via email.

Broadly speaking, the plan is that we will cover the material in the first 10 chapters of the textbook online on Thursdays, and we will work out exercises and review material in person.

Course credit

Units: 4 for graduate students taking ME/ECE269

Instructor

Professor Francesco Bullo
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Email: bullo-at-engineering.ucsb.edu
Website: http://motion.me.ucsb.edu

Office hours

Place: Zoom page to be announced via email
Time: Thu 11am-noon and easily additional times, if anybody asks/needs (please email me in advance)

If you have any questions about the course, please send me email. I will try to respond as quickly as possible. Additionally, I will share questions that are particularly good (and their answers) with the rest of the class by broadcasting my answer to the entire class.

If you come to office hours with questions about homework, please be prepared to show written careful attempts at solving the problem that you prepared before coming.

Grading for ME/ECE 269

The class is based on weekly homework assignments for the first few weeks and a final report/presentation. Regarding the final presentation, students are encouraged to work in pairs, and choose a project that is relevant to their own area of research. Presentations will be on Zoom.

Resources for Students

The Division of Student Affairs provides a broad range of essential support services and resources to help UCSB students handle the challenges of university life.

Help during exams

Students with disabilities may request academic accommodations for exams online through the UCSB Disabled Students Program at http://dsp.sa.ucsb.edu. Please make your requests for exam accommodations through the online system as early in the quarter as possible to ensure arrangement.

Managing stress

Personal concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, cultural differences, can interfere with the ability of students to succeed and thrive. For helpful resources, please contact UCSB Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at 805-893-4411 or visit http://counseling.sa.ucsb.edu

Financial Crisis Response Team

The UCSB Financial Crisis Response Team exists to assist UCSB students who may be facing a financial crisis or urgent financial need. In order to apply for emergency funding, please first email FinancialCrisis@sa.ucsb.edu. Within 1-2 business days, a Financial Aid Advisor will contact you for your next steps.

Gender and Sex Discrimination Policy and Student Support

Under Title IX, university students are protected from harassment and discrimination based on gender and sex. If a student feels uncomfortable or in need of support at any time related to their gender, sex, and/or sexual orientation, please contact your TA and/or course instructor immediately. If a student would like to disclose information related to pronouns, name changes, or identities, we encourage you to do so. UCSB's Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity on the 3rd floor of the Student Resource Building is also available to advocate and be of and support to students.

Food security

If you are facing any challenges securing food or housing and believe this may affect your performance in the class, you are urged to meet with a Food Security and Calfresh Advocate who is aware of the broad variety of resources that UCSB has to offer (see their drop-in hours at food.ucsb.edu). You are also urged to contact the professor or teaching assistant if you are comfortable doing so. Please visit food.ucsb.edu for additional resources including Calfresh, the AS Food Bank, and more.

Responsible scholarship

Honesty and integrity in all academic work is essential for a valuable educational experience. The Office of Judicial Affairs has policies, tips, and resources for proper citation use, recognizing actions considered to be cheating or other forms of academic theft, and students’ responsibilities. This information is available on their website at: http://judicialaffairs.sa.ucsb.edu. Students are responsible for educating themselves on the policies and to abide by them.

Furthermore, for general academic support, we encourage students to visit Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) early and often. CLAS offers instructional groups, drop-in tutoring, writing and ESL services, skills workshops and one-on-one consultations. CLAS is located on the third floor of the Student Resource Building, or visit http://clas.sa.ucsb.edu.

Mental Health Statement

Students may feel overwhelmed or depressed with coursework, stress and/or other personal challenges. If you find yourself, or another student, in need of support, please do not hesitate to reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 24/7 at (805) 893-4411. http://caps.sa.ucsb.edu