NECSI Winter School

The school will take place from 8 to 19 January 2007.

Week 1:  Complex Physical, Biological and Social Systems                           
Week 2:  Modeling, Networks & Evolution of Complex Systems

Each program is the equivalent of a one semester course in a one week format. They may be taken independently or consecutively. If desired, arrangements for credit at a home institution should be made in advance.

WEEK ONE - CX201: Complex Physical, Biological and Social Systems

Dates:  January 8-12, 2007
Location:  MIT, Cambridge, MA

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. The course will particularly focus on the use of multiscale representations as a unifying approach to complex systems concepts, methods and applications.

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.

WEEK TWO - CX202: Modeling, Networks & Evolution of Complex Systems

Dates:  January 15-19, 2007
Location:  MIT, Cambridge, MA

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

Modeling: "how to" build models of complex systems (physical, biological, social and engineering).

Networks:  network models of complex systems: nodes and links, connectivity; topologies: small worlds, scale free, modular; dynamics of networks.

Evolution:  evolution in biology, social and engineered systems, altruism and selfishness, speciation, diversity, and spatial models.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

These courses are intended for faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows 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.

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.org/education/twoweek/winter07.html