This book consists of a selection of peer-reviewed contributions to the Workshop on Algebraic Graph Theory that took place in Pilsen, Czech Republic in October 2016. Primarily intended for early career researchers, it presents eight self-contained articles on a selection of topics within algebraic combinatorics, ranging from association schemes to symmetries of graphs and isomorphism testing. Algebraic combinatorics is a compelling mathematical discipline based on the powerful interplay of algebraic and combinatorial methods. Algebraic interpretation of combinatorial structures (such as symmetry or regularity) has often led to enlightening discoveries and powerful results, while discrete and combinatorial structures have given rise to new algebraic structures that have found valuable applications. In addition to these original research contributions, the reader will find a survey linking numerous threads in algebraic combinatorics, and an extensive tutorial showcasing the universality of algebraic methods in the study of combinatorial structures.

The last decade has seen two parallel developments, one in computer science, the other in mathematics, both dealing with the same kind of combinatorial structures: networks with strong symmetry properties or, in graph-theoretical language, vertex-transitive graphs, in particular their prototypical examples, Cayley graphs. In the design of large interconnection networks it was realised that many of the most fre quently used models for such networks are Cayley graphs of various well-known groups. This has spawned a considerable amount of activity in the study of the combinatorial properties of such graphs. A number of symposia and congresses (such as the bi-annual IWIN, starting in 1991) bear witness to the interest of the computer science community in this subject. On the mathematical side, and independently of any interest in applications, progress in group theory has made it possible to make a realistic attempt at a complete description of vertex-transitive graphs. The classification of the finite simple groups has played an important role in this respect.

The rapidly expanding area of algebraic graph theory uses two different branches of algebra to explore various aspects of graph theory: linear algebra (for spectral theory) and group theory (for studying graph symmetry). These areas have links with other areas of mathematics, such as logic and harmonic analysis, and are increasingly being used in such areas as computer networks where symmetry is an important feature. Other books cover portions of this material, but this book is unusual in covering both of these aspects and there are no other books with such a wide scope. Peter J. Cameron, internationally recognized for his substantial contributions to the area, served as academic consultant for this volume, and the result is ten expository chapters written by acknowledged international experts in the field. Their well-written contributions have been carefully edited to enhance readability and to standardize the chapter structure, terminology and notation throughout the book. To help the reader, there is an extensive introductory chapter that covers the basic background material in graph theory, linear algebra and group theory. Each chapter concludes with an extensive list of references.

"This is the first full-length book on the major theme of symmetry in graphs. Forming part of algebraic graph theory, this fast-growing field is concerned with the study of highly symmetric graphs, particularly vertex-transitive graphs, and other combinatorial structures, primarily by group-theoretic techniques. In practice, the street goes both ways and these investigations shed new light on permutation groups and related algebraic structures. The book assumes a first course in graph theory and group theory but no specialized knowledge of the theory of permutation groups or vertex-transitive graphs. It begins with the basic material before introducing the field's major problems and most active research themes in order to motivate the detailed discussion of individual topics that follows. Featuring many examples and with over 450 exercises, it is an essential introduction to the field for graduate students and a valuable addition to any algebraic graph theorist's bookshelf"--

We present a new polynomial-time algorithm for determining whether two given graphs are isomorphic or not. We prove that the algorithm is necessary and sufficient for solving the Graph Isomorphism Problem in polynomial-time, thus showing that the Graph Isomorphism Problem is in P. The semiotic theory for the recognition of graph structure is used to define a canonical form of the sign matrix of a graph. We prove that the canonical form of the sign matrix is uniquely identifiable in polynomial-time for isomorphic graphs. The algorithm is demonstrated by solving the Graph Isomorphism Problem for many of the hardest known examples. We implement the algorithm in C++ and provide a demonstration program for Microsoft Windows.

This is a substantial revision of a much-quoted monograph, first published in 1974. The structure is unchanged, but the text has been clarified and the notation brought into line with current practice. A large number of 'Additional Results' are included at the end of each chapter, thereby covering most of the major advances in the last twenty years. Professor Biggs' basic aim remains to express properties of graphs in algebraic terms, then to deduce theorems about them. In the first part, he tackles the applications of linear algebra and matrix theory to the study of graphs; algebraic constructions such as adjacency matrix and the incidence matrix and their applications are discussed in depth. There follows an extensive account of the theory of chromatic polynomials, a subject which has strong links with the 'interaction models' studied in theoretical physics, and the theory of knots. The last part deals with symmetry and regularity properties. Here there are important connections with other branches of algebraic combinatorics and group theory. This new and enlarged edition this will be essential reading for a wide range of mathematicians, computer scientists and theoretical physicists.