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401-3054-DRL 2 Credits DR D-MATH

Probabilistic Methods in Combinatorics

Does not take place this semester. Only for ZGSM (ETH D-MATH and UZH I-MATH) doctoral students. The latter need to register at myStudies and then send an email to with their name, course number and student ID. Please see
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:14:51

Abstract

This course provides a gentle introduction to the Probabilistic Method, with an emphasis on methodology. We will try to illustrate the main ideas by showing the application of probabilistic reasoning to various combinatorial problems.

Content

The topics covered in the class will include (but are not limited to): linearity of expectation, the second moment method, the local lemma, correlation inequalities, martingales, large deviation inequalities, Janson and Talagrand inequalities and pseudo-randomness.

Resources

Literature

- The Probabilistic Method, by N. Alon and J. H. Spencer, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2008. - Random Graphs, by B. Bollobás, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2001. - Random Graphs, by S. Janson, T. Luczak and A. Rucinski, Wiley, 2000. - Graph Coloring and the Probabilistic Method, by M. Molloy and B. Reed, Springer, 2002.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR
Frequency
Every two years

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Probabilistic Methods in Combinatorics
Does not take place this semester.
No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Probabilistic Methods in Combinatorics
Does not take place this semester.
No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In