Complex Systems Minor

Program Requirements

Students are required to elect 15 credits (5 courses) including two core courses and three electives from the following areas of focus: (1) Social Sciences, (2) Biological Science, (3) Physical Science and Engineering or (4) Complex Systems Theory and Methods.  Two of the electives are to be from one area and one from another.

Please note: during the COVID-19 pandemic, CSCS is conducting advising appointments by email or in virtual meetings. Please contact cscs@umich.edu with your questions or to make an appointment for a virtual meeting. Thank you and stay safe!

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites (beyond those required for specific courses) but it is strongly recommended that students have experience with at least one and preferably two calculus courses.

Additional Information

Over the past twenty years, the ideas and methodologies that underpin the science of complex systems have gained a foothold in the research agendas of many of the world’s leading universities. This trend can be explained by the resonance of the complexity paradigm and its focus on core concepts of networks, nonlinear interdependence, adaptation, and diversity to current scientific and social challenges and opportunities. These include climate change, epidemics, ecosystem and financial system robustness, genetic engineering, sustainability science, health sciences and ethnic conflict.

Academic research on nonlinear systems, networks, evolutionary and adaptive systems, emergence, and diversity using mathematics, agent based models, and numerical computation increases with each passing day at think tanks, universities, and laboratories. Most leading graduate programs in physical, biological, and social sciences now include courses that fall under the rubric of complexity science. Many of these courses involve agent based modeling and numerical analysis. At the same time, government and private sector demand for students with skills in modeling, understanding of systems level thinking, and deep understandings of the roles of networks and diversity grows.

The Academic Minor in Complex Systems is designed to give students an understanding of the basic concepts of complexity science and to learn how those concepts can be applied within a functional area. It provides an opportunity for concentrators in other departments to take a coherent curriculum in complexity and modeling that complements their major field of study. This minor requires foundational courses in complex systems theory and modeling. Students are encouraged to attend research seminars and workshops hosted by CSCS. This will provide an opportunity for undergraduates to engage intellectually with students and faculty from a range of fields.