Complexity and Simplicity: Science in the 21st Century

Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

The world is changing at a rapid rate. We are more connected than ever, and it is becoming painfully apparent that there are indeed limits to growth. These developments result in problems that have no silver bullet solution and are therefore especially difficult to solve. They require a different thinking approach than is standard today.

In the course Complexity & Simplicity you will investigate the characteristics of complex systems and what the underlying concepts mean in real-world scenarios. This understanding will then be applied by discussing case studies of complex problems and their potential solutions with your peers. You will be investigating examples of natural systems within the fields of Earth science and Ecology.

During the practical training you will use models and literature to investigate the functioning of various typical complex systems. Depending on your experience with programming and modeling you can choose to include more modeling or more literature. The course involves extensive exchange between your peers, so you will learn from both approaches.

Besides learning the workings of complex systems, you will also learn to communicate their functioning. This is an invaluable skill for convincing policymakers to implement a more adequate and sustainable solution for a complex problem. Within this course you will practice this by presenting case studies related to the course content and writing summaries about these case studies.

Study materials

Syllabus

Software

• Class demonstrations and Hands-on practicals will be carried out on NetLogo, R and/or MatLab.
  
  However for student projects, you may use any programing language of your choice (e.g., Python, C++, even Cobol).
  
  

  Please all bring with you your personal laptop with a power cord and a functioning headset.

Objectives

• Describe the purpose of modeling techniques for the analysis of complex environmental systems
• Explain the functioning of various models of complex systems and their uses
• Combine conceptual knowledge with insight gained from modeling
• Connect an interdisciplinary set of relevant domains to a real-world problem the student is faced with.
• Explain how complex systems can be modeled
• Modify an existing model about a complex system
• Familiarise yourself with the field of complexity science. I.e. find, summarise and describe cases of typical complex systems.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Laptop seminar

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance of lectures and practical components is mandatory. 
Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator in advance.

Assessment

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Yael Artzy-Randrup