Courses: Two one week intensive courses (described briefly below) include:

• Complex Physical, Biological and Social Systems (June 28-July 2)
• Modeling, Networks and Evolution (July 5-9)
• Registration

Syllabus: Download course syllabus here (for both weeks).

Credit: Arrangements for credit at a home institution for the courses below should be made in advance. Contact us at programs@necsi.org.

COMPLEX PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS

Lecturers: Yaneer Bar-Yam, Stuart Kauffman

Dates: June 28-July 2, 2004

Syllabus: Download course syllabus here (for both weeks).

This course offers an introduction to the essential concepts of complex systems and related mathematical methods and simulation strategies with application to physical, biological and social systems.

Concepts to be discussed include: emergence, complexity, networks, self-organization, pattern formation, evolution, adaptation, fractals, chaos, cooperation, competition, attractors, interdependence, scaling, dynamic response, information, and function.

Methods to be discussed include: statistical methods, cellular automata, agent-based modeling, pattern recognition, system representation and informatics.

Demonstration of the application of complex systems methods will be made through studies of:

• Social systems: education system, health care system, military system;
• Psychosocial systems: patterns of social behavior, mind, creativity, awareness;
• Biological systems: evolution, physiology, immune system, brain, cellular systems, genetic networks;
• Physical systems: meteorology

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites are required. The course is conceptually based, and a mathematical background is not necessary.

Target audience

This course is intended for post-doctoral fellows, faculty, graduate students and others who would like to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of complex systems, and develop methodological tools for conducting research in their respective fields.

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MODELING, NETWORKS and EVOLUTION of COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Lecturers: Yaneer Bar-Yam, Charles Goodnight, Dan Braha

Dates: July 5-9, 2004

Syllabus: Download course syllabus here (for both weeks).

This course offers a systematic study of three key complex systems areas:

• "how to" build models of complex systems (physical, biological, social and engineering)
• network models of complex systems
• evolution in biology, social and engineered systems

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites are required. The course can be treated as a follow on course to the first week or can be taken separately. Some mathematical, physics or programming background is desirable but a strong mathematical background is not necessary.

Target audience

This course is intended for post-doctoral fellows, faculty, graduate students and others who are interested in developing quantitative models for conducting research in their respective fields.

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REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Regular registration fees: