6 EC
Semester 2, period 4, 5
5512COMP6Y
What do economic crises, traffic jams, consciousness, the climate, immune systems and flocks of birds have in common? They can all be described as complex systems. These systems are characterized by a certain pattern, or regularity, at the collective level, which is driven by a multitude of interacting components that in their turn are affected by the collective dynamics. In other words, not only is the whole more than the sum of its parts but changing system behavior also has feedback on the individual components. Complex systems are self-organizing, largely beyond central control, often adaptive but under certain conditions self-destructive.
Whereas classic science provides insight into isolated phenomena, for example the movement of individual cells in a certain medium, it could not grasp the simultaneous interplay of many different interacting components. Complexity science uses novel mathematical and computational methods to better understand and predict complex processes. This relatively new approach has become widely popular during the past decennia, and is currently used in natural-, life-, and social sciences. Examples are: ecosystems, groups of both competing and cooperating monkeys, embryo development, the global climate, stock markets, epidemics, criminal networks and neural networks.
Typical characteristics of complex systems are: emergence, tipping points, phase transitions, non-linear processes, resilience, bifurcation, scale-freeness, and deterministic chaos. Complexity thinking thereby puts into question taken-for-granted assumptions about causality, linear dynamics, reductionism, objective knowledge and determinism, which can now be replaced by a more adequate understanding of our world.
This course provides a unique opportunity to acquire insights into complex systems and to learn about the models that are used to represent and examine these systems. It is intended for a broad audience and shows that a general understanding of complexity is possible without understanding the technicalities of the models. There is also a sense of urgency: given the current problems of our world, it is crucially important that students learn about complexity, and acquire the skills to use its insights in their future professions, be it business, government, journalism, or science.
To see if this course is interesting for you: https://complexityexplained.github.io/
Melanie Mitchell (2011) Complexity: A Guided Tour. Oxford University Press.
Sterman, J. (2002). System Dynamics: systems thinking and modeling for a complex world
Papers provided by the speakers
Your own lecture notes, complemented by the lecture slides/recordings put on Canvas after each lecture
In Canvas
Diagraming software (e.g., Vensim)
Systems Dynamics software (e.g., Vensim)
In lectures/seminars, students will get to learn the basics of complexity science from specialists. They will get an overview of the phenomena present in complexity. They will digest what they learn by employing a formal diagram to express causal relationships mentioned in the lecture about how these complex systems work.
The workshops are focused on learning tools. These tools will be used in their group projects.
|
Activity |
Hours |
|
|
Hoorcollege |
20 |
|
|
Werkcollege |
8 |
|
|
Self-study |
137 |
|
|
Total |
168 |
(6 EC x 28 uur) |
Additional requirements for this course:
Lectures are optional except those containing evaluation elements that are mandatory.
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
50% Individual assignments | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
Assignment 1 | NAP if missing |
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Assignment 2 | NAP if missing |
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Assignment 3 | NAP if missing |
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Assignment 4 | NAP if missing |
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Assignment 5 | |
|
1% Peer review | Must be ≥ pass, NAP if missing |
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1% Team presentation | Must be ≥ pass, NAP if missing |
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50% Team paper | Must be ≥ 5, NAP if missing |
The resit will be different from a regular exam. Since it only applies to the essay and presentation it will be either an oral defense or a combination of a recording and a test.
The structure of the course was completely changed. Please contact the new course coordinator for assessment before the end of the second week (18-02-2022).
In case the course structure did not change fundamentally from previous year, the IIS uses the rule that course components that were passed with a sufficient grade and meeting the attendance requirements and practical exams, can be used for one year. In case students want to finish the course after two years, they need to meet the same requirements as the first year.
| Passed component in... | ...last year | ...2+ years before |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance requirements | Stays valid, as long as the student contacts the coordinator before the end of the second week (18-02-2022). | No longer valid, have to meet the requirements of point 8. |
| Individual weekly assignments | Sufficient grade stays valid, as long as the student contacts the coordinator before the end of the second week (18-02-2022). | No longer valid. |
| Peer-review | Sufficient grade stays valid, as long as the student contacts the coordinator before the end of the second week (18-02-2022). | No longer valid. |
| Paper & Presentation | Sufficient grade (in all) stays valid in case the student contacts the coordinator before 17-03-2022. | No longer valid. |
See canvas & syllabus.
This course adheres to the general rules on ‘Fraud and Plagiarism` as set by the UvA. Students are expected to have familiarized themselves with these rules.
The terms Fraud or Plagiarism are to be interpreted as the copying of the work of peer-student and/or the copying of (scientific) sources of information, without explicitly referring to its source.
Fraud/plagiarism is forbidden and actively checked by staff. When one is suspected of having committed fraud/plagiarism, the exam committee of beta-gamma and future planet studies will be informed. The highest punishment for fraud/plagiarism involves the student to be disallowed to partake of any exams or examination activities within the future planet studies programme, for the duration of a whole academic year, or may even face dismissal from the programme. More information about Fraud and Plagiarism can be found at: www.uva.nl/plagiaat
See syllabus & canvas.
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Apply
UvA-students can register themself from Thursday 16 June 2016 (look for code 5512COMP6Y in SIS) until a week before the start of the course. If you have any trouble while registering please contact: servicedesk-iis-science@uva.nl
Other parties, such as contract students or students from other institutions, interested can register from 1 June 2016 through the registration form.
Costs
Check the website.
We have developed a whole new structure for the course. Your feedback will be much appreciated.