Many of the problems we face in the modern world revolve around comprehending, controlling, and designing multi-scale, interconnected systems. Networked systems, for example, facilitate the diffusion and creation of ideas, the physical transportation of people and goods, and the distribution and redistribution of energy. Complex systems such as the human body and ecological systems are typically highly balanced, flexible, and robust, but also susceptible to systemic collapse. These complex problems almost always have economic, social, and technological aspects.

So what do we know about complex systems? The aim of this introductory, interdisciplinary course is to impart knowledge of a suite of theories and ideas and tools that have evolved over the last century in the pursuit of understanding complex systems. We’ll touch on everything from physics to sociology, from randomness to cities to language and stories.

Throughout the course, we’ll maintain a focus on (1) scaling phenomena; (2) the roles of simple and complicated models; (3) real small-scale mechanisms that give rise to observed macro phenomena, (2) scaling phenomena, (4) complex networks, (5) contagion and spreading of biological and social nature, and (6) stories-at-large. We will explore how seemingly disparate systems have in similar ways—the phenomenon of universality—and, and just as importantly, where tempting analogies break down.

Assignments will comprise challenge questions, intermediate between standard coursework problems and more open, research type enigmas.

The following will not be part of the course: