This course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of signed graph theory, generalizations, and related geometry, including a dash of matroids. There is no official book but there are lots of papers available (electronically, and I can give real reprints of several of them to those who like that sort of thing). A linked list will be posted later. I'll recommend a basic graph theory book when I can think of one that's most appropriate. (Diestel or Tutte will be satisfactory though not perfect.)
The course is not normally suitable for first-year graduate students. However, there are no specific prerequisites except the traditional ``mathematical maturity''?not even a course in graph or matroid theory, though it will be helpful. Basic graduate algebra is very helpful.
I will be happy to see graduate students at any time, as far as possible (that means, not early in the morning and not when I'm rushing to prepare a class). We can make appointments, but they're not required.
All students are strongly encouraged, if not required, to attend the Combinatorics Seminar, usually on Tuesdays, 1:15 - 2:15. There will be talks you can't understand, as well as some you can't help understanding, on all kinds of topics in graph theory and other combinatorics as well as in number theory (and sometimes both at once). (You'll be surprised how much you learn by not understanding a great many talks.)
I will lecture, for the most part.
Student work: You will have to work hard sometimes to understand the lectures and readings. Keep your colored pencils handy. Ask questions!
I will have you write up the notes of some of the lectures (in LaTeX). I'll use them to prepare lecture notes where there are gaps in or additions to the existing notes.
Your grade will be based partly on your note-taking and write-ups. It may be based partly on student presentations. I will also meet with each of you individually on a regular basis.
Here is the most basic list. A big list of related readings appears at the end of the course notes.