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Complex Systems Minor

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  3. Departments and Units
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Advising
Department Website

Effective Fall 2023

Advising

Academic Minor Advising

The CSCS Director and core faculty will serve as advisors to students. The CSCS Chief Administrator and other administrative staff are initial points of contact. Students interested in scheduling a time to talk with an advisor should send an email message to cscs@umich.edu.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites but students who have not taken calculus may find some of the courses difficult. Therefore, previous experience with calculus is strongly recommended.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 15

Students are required to elect 15 credits (typically 5 courses) as outlined below.

A. Core Courses. We require students to take at least one of the following. 

  • CMPLXSYS 270: Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling
  • CMPLXSYS 391 / POLSCI 391: Modeling Political Processes
  • CMPLXSYS 401: History and Philosophy of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 511 / MATH 511: Theory of Complex Systems


B. Complex Systems Courses. Students must select at least two additional courses from the following list:

  • CMPLXSYS 100: Complexity: From Simple Rules to Complex Behavior
  • CMPLXSYS 251 / SOC 251: Computational Social Sciences
  • CMPLXSYS 270: Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling
  • CMPLXSYS 325 / EEB 325: Memes, Measles and Misinformation
  • CMPLXSYS 351: Introduction to Social Science Data
  • CMPLXSYS 391 / POLSCI 391: Modeling Political Processes
  • CMPLXSYS 401: History and Philosophy of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 425: Evolution in Silico
  • CMPLXSYS 430 / EEB 430: Modeling Infectious Diseases
  • CMPLXSYS 435 / EEB 435: Ecological Networks
  • CMPLXSYS 445 / BIOPHYS 445 / MATH 445 / PHYSICS 445: Entropy and Information: Concepts and Applications
  • CMPLXSYS 470 / PHYSICS 470: Experiments in Nonlinear Dynamics
  • CMPLXSYS 511 / MATH 511: Theory of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 510 / MATH 550: Introduction to Adaptive Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 520 / PHYSICS 580 / MATH 552: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 530 / EPID 638: Computer Modeling of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 535 / PHYSICS 508: Network Theory
  • CMPLXSYS 541 / PHYSICS 413: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
  • EEB 466 / CMPLXSYS 466/ MATH 466: Mathematical Ecology
  • MO 410: Collective Intelligence
  • SOC 260 / CMPLXSYS 260: Tipping Points, Bandwagons and Cascades: From Individual Behavior to Social Dynamics


C. Elective Courses. Students may select additional courses from Sections A or B or the following list to bring their minor credits to 15. One course not on this list may be counted with permission of the CSCS Director.

  • BIOINF 540: Mathematics of Biological Networks
  • EEB 315 / ENVIRON 315: Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
  • EEB 480: Interrogating Data with Models
  • EECS 492: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • EPID 633: Introduction to mathematical modeling in epidemiology and public health
  • EPID 637: Systems modeling of behavior, social processes, and chronic disease
  • MATH 462: Mathematical Models
  • MATH 463 / BIOINF 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
  • MICRBIOL 510: Mathematical Modeling for Infectious Diseases
  • NRE 550: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
  • PUBPOL 250 / CMPLXSYS 250: Social Systems, Energy, and Public Policy
  • SI 301: Social Information Processing
  • SI 608: Networks

Complex Systems (Minor) (Winter 2023 - Summer 2023)

Effective Winter 2023

Advising

Academic Minor Advising

The CSCS Director and core faculty will serve as advisors to students. The CSCS Chief Administrator and other administrative staff are initial points of contact. Students interested in scheduling a time to talk with an advisor can email cscs@umich.edu or stop by the office (suite 700 Weiser Hall) during business hours.

Prerequisites

There will be no formal prerequisites but students who have not taken calculus may find some of the courses difficult. Therefore, previous experience with calculus is strongly recommended.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 15

Students are required to elect 15 credits (5 courses) as outlined below.

A. Core Courses. We require students to take at least one of the following. 

  • CMPLXSYS 270: Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling
  • CMPLXSYS 391: Modeling Political Processes
  • CMPLXSYS 501: Introduction to Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 511: Theory of Complex Systems


B. Complex Systems Courses. Students must select at least two additional courses from the following list:

  • CMPLXSYS 270: Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling
  • CMPLXSYS 251 / SOC 251: Computational Social Sciences
  • CMPLXSYS 445 / BIOPHYS 445 / PHYSICS 445: Introduction to Information Theory for the Natural Sciences
  • CMPLXSYS 260 / SOC 260: Tipping Points, Bandwagons and Cascades: From Individual Behavior to Social Dynamics
  • CMPLXSYS 391: Modeling Political Processes
  • CMPLXSYS 425: Evolution in Silico
  • CMPLXSYS 430: Modeling Infectious Diseases
  • CMPLXSYS 435: Ecological Networks
  • CMPLXSYS 466 / EEB 466 / MATH 466: Mathematical Ecology
  • CMPLXSYS 470 / PHYSICS 470: Experiments in Nonlinear Dynamics
  • CMPLXSYS 501: Introduction to Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 511: Theory of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 510 / MATH 550: Introduction to Adaptive Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 520 / PHYSICS 580 / MATH 552: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 530: Computer Modeling of Complex Systems
  • CMPLXSYS 541 / PHYSICS 413: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
  • CMPLXSYS 535 / PHYSICS 508: Network Theory
  • MO 410: Collective Intelligence


C. Elective Courses. Students may select additional courses from the following list to bring their minor credits to 15. One course not on this list may be counted with permission of the CSCS Director.

  • CMPLXSYS 250 / PUBPOL 250: Social Systems, Energy, and Public Policy
  • EEB 315 / ENVIRON 315: Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
  • EEB 480: Interrogating Data with Models
  • EECS 492: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • MATH 462: Mathematical Models
  • MATH 463 / BIOINF 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
  • MICRBIOL 510: Mathematical Modeling for Infectious Diseases
  • NRE 550: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
  • SI 301: Social Information Processing
  • SI 608: Networks
  • EPID 633: Introduction to mathematical modeling in epidemiology and public health
  • EPID 637: Systems modeling of behavior, social processes, and chronic disease
  • BIOINF 540: Mathematics of Biological Networks

Complex Systems (Minor) (Fall 2011 - Fall 2022)

Effective Fall 2011

Advising

Academic Minor Advising

The CSCS Director and core faculty will serve as advisors to students. The CSCS Key Administrator, Mita Gibson, will be the initial point of contact.

Prerequisites

There will be no formal prerequisites but students who have not taken calculus may find some of the courses difficult. Therefore, previous experience with calculus is strongly recommended.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 15

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. 

  1. Core Courses (Take 2 of 4). We require students to take at least one of the modeling courses so that students develop the skills necessary for the upper level classes.
    • CMPLXSYS 270: Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling (ABM)
    • CMPLXSYS 281 / POLSCI 381: Applied Complex Systems: Emergent Challenges (through FA21 only)
    • CMPLXSYS 391 / POLSCI 391: Modeling Pol Proc
    • CMPLXSYS 501: An Introduction to Complex Systems
    • CMPLXSYS 511: Theory of Complex Systems
  2. Elective Courses. Students must take two courses from one section and one course from another section. The final course can be from this list or a course not on this list as long as it is approved by the CSCS Director. Additional cross-cutting courses such as MATH 295: Honors Mathematics I can also be taken as an elective and will count for any of the four areas, with approval from the CSCS Director.
    1. Physical Science & Engineering
      • BIOINF 463 / MATH 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • BIOPHYS 463 / MATH 463 / BIOINF 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • CMPLXSYS 470 / PHYSICS 470: Experiments in Nonlinear Dynamics
      • CMPLXSYS 520 / PHYSICS 580: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
      • CMPLXSYS 535 / PHYSICS 508: Network Theory
      • CMPLXSYS 541 / PHYSICS 413: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
      • EECS 492: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
      • EECS 587: Parallel Computing
      • EECS 598: Special Topics section titled "Algorithms for Robotics"
      • ENGR 371 / MATH 371: Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists
      • HONORS 493: College Honors Seminar section titled "Introduction to Networks"
      • MATH 176: Explorations in Topology and Analysis (Nonlinear Systems and Chaos)
      • MATH 371 / ENGR 371: Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists
      • MATH 463 / BIOINF 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • MATH 471: Introduction to Numerical Methods
      • PHYSICS 413 / CMPLXSYS 541: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
      • PHYSICS 470 / CMPLXSYS 470: Experiments in Nonlinear Dynamics
      • PHYSICS 508 / CMPLXSYS 535: Network Theory
      • PHYSICS 580 / CMPLXSYS 520: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
    2. Social Science
      • CMPLXSYS 250: Social Systems & Energy
      • CMPLXSYS 251 / SOC 251: Computational SocSci 
      • CMPLXSYS 260 / SOC 260: Tipping Points, Bandwagons and Cascades: From Individual Behavior to Social Dynamics
      • EAS 550 / STRATEGY 566: Sys Devel&Enterprise 
      • EECS 594: Introduction to Adaptive Systems section titled "Complexity & Emergence"
      • HONORS 493: College Honors Seminar section titled "Complexity & Emergence"
      • MATH 217: Linear Algebra (only until FA21)
      • MATH 425 / STATS 425: Introduction to Probability
      • MO 410: Collective Intelligence
      • NRE 550: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
      • POLSCI 598: Mathematics for Political Scientists
      • POLSCI 793: Methods Seminar section titled "Advanced Modeling in Political Science"
      • PSYCH 447: Current Topics in Cognition and Perception section titled "Complexity & Emergence"
      • PUBPOL 513: Calculus for Social Scientists
      • SOC 260 / CMPLXSYS 260: Tipping Points, Bandwagons and Cascades: From Individual Behavior to Social Dynamics
      • STATS 425 / MATH 425: Introduction to Probability
      • STRATEGY 566: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
    3. Biological Science
      • BIOINF 800: Special Topics section titled "Computation and Neuroscience"
      • BIOINF 463 / MATH 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • BIOPHYS 463 / MATH 463 / BIOINF 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • CMPLXSYS 425 Evolution in Silico (W18)
      • CMPLXSYS / EEB 435: Ecological Networks
      • CMPLXSYS 430 Modeling Infectious Diseases
      • CMPLXSYS 466 / EEB 466 / MATH 466: Mathematical Ecology
      • CMPLXSYS 510 / MATH 550: Introduction to Adaptive Systems section titled "Introduction to Dynamics for Biocomplexity"
      • EEB 315 / ENVIRON 315: The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
      • EEB 401: Advanced Topics in Biology section titled "Interrogating Data with Models"
      • EEB 466 / MATH 466: Mathematical Ecology
      • ENVIRON 315 / EEB 315: The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
      • MATH 463 / BIOINF 463 / BIOPHYS 463: Mathematical Modeling in Biology
      • MATH 466 / EEB 466: Mathematical Ecology
      • MATH 550 / CMPLXSYS 510: Introduction to Adaptive Systems section titled "Introduction to Dynamics for Biocomplexity"
      • MATH 559: Selected Topics in Applied Mathematics section titled "Computation and Neuroscience"
      • MICRBIOL 510: Mathematical Modeling for Infectious Diseases
    4. Theory & Methods
      • BIOINF 800: Special Topics section titled "Computation and Neuroscience"
      • BIOPHYS / CMPLXSYS / PHYSICS 445: Introduction to Information Theory for the Natural Sciences (only if taken FA20 or later)
      • CMPLXSYS 501: Basic Readings
      • CMPLXSYS 520 / PHYSICS 580 / MATH 552: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
      • CMPLXSYS 530: Computer Modeling of Complex Systems
      • CMPLXSYS 531: Basic Computing Skills for Programming Agent Based Models (ABM)
      • EECS 594: Introduction to Adaptive Systems section titled "Complexity & Emergence"
      • HONORS 493: College Honors Seminar sections titled "Complexity & Emergence" and "Introduction to Networks"
      • MATH 425 / STATS 425: Introduction to Probability
      • MATH 462: Mathematical Models
      • MATH 552 / CMPLXSYS 520 / PHYSICS 580: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
      • MATH 559: Selected Topics in Applied Mathematics section titled "Computation and Neuroscience"
      • PHYSICS 580 / CMPLXSYS 520 / MATH 552: Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
      • PSYCH 447: Current Topics in Cognition and Perception section titled "Complexity & Emergence"
      • STATS 425 / MATH 425: Introduction to Probability
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