Center for the Study of Complex Systems

What do we do at CSCS? Our Center studies systems like economies, the brain, ecosystems, political systems, social networks, and the Internet that consist of many interacting parts, which in turn produce collective behaviors that exceed the capabilities of the constituent parts.

How an Applied Physics student became a Complex Systems Standout “I thought I would just be strictly physics. But then I learned about complex systems and was like, wait, the computer does what?! I thought it was so cool.”

I enjoyed the material so much I switched my career plans to continue my study of complex systems. I declared a Complex Systems minor as a sophomore to compliment my major in Mathematics. I wanted to supplement my pure methodological work with applications and interdisciplinarity. -- Daniel Kaiser, Class of 2019

Complex Systems: The Next Generation Our little unit has experienced a bit of a baby boom of late L-R Elizabeth Bruch's Nico; Charlie Doering's grandbaby Charles Arlo; and Marisa Eisenberg's CJ (Cassandra Josephine). A dose of cuteness to wish you all a Happy Holiday!

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Recent News

CSCS affiliated faculty member Sharon Glotzer featured on The Joy of X

In Steven Strogatz' Podcast "The Joy of X" he recently spoke with Sharon Glotzer about how "how she is driven to find the simple rules that explain the universe’s complexity"

Wikipedia as Volunteer Work .

Samuel Baltz, CSCS Graduate workshop coordinator, understands this - and he spent time every day for a year working on it.

all news

Complex Systems Science and Systemic Racism

A statement from The Complex Systems Faculty

"Here at the Center for the Study of Complex Systems, we stand in solidarity with these efforts toward greater social justice and vocally oppose all expressions of bigotry and hate."

CLICK to read the full statement.

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WELCOME TO THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS

The Center for the Study of Complex Systems (CSCS) is a broadly interdisciplinary program in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our mission is to encourage and facilitate research and education in the general area of nonlinear, dynamical and adaptive systems.

"What is Complexity Science" - the complex systems community, including members of CSCS have put together this great 'Complexity Explainer' on Github

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO ANIMATION: PLANT-POLLINATOR SYSTEMS UNDER THREAT

This video was created for Complex Systems Professor Fernanda Valdovinos and Valdovinos Lab.

Valdovinos Lab studies the structure and dynamics of ecological networks at ecological and evolutionary scales, including their resilience to biodiversity loss, biological invasions, climate change, and exploitation by humans.

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We strive to support our students and faculty on the front lines of learning and research and to steward our planet, our community, our campus. To do this, the Center for the Study of Complex Systems needs your support.