About this course
Complex systems as systems in which complex and qualitatively new behaviours emerge from the interaction of simple building blocks. Self-organisation and self-organising criticality as a process in complex systems. The notion of a critical state as a zero-dimensional state in parameter space using the example of the percolation problem. Scale-invariance and fractality as a property of systems at criticality. Fractal dimension, multifractality, self-affinity. Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile model where the system itself moves towards criticality. Forward and inverse avalanches and their size distributions. Bak-Sneppen model: a one-dimensional model of biological evolution. The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang model of surface growth. Self-organization in geophysics: erosion, tectonics and earthquakes. Self-organization in astrophysics and plasma physics. Self-organisation in society and economy. Scale-free networks as one of the outcomes of self-organization. Main properties and characteristics of scale-free networks.
NB! This course will take place in spring semester 2024/2025 which starts on 3rd of February and ends on 16th of June (you can find that information under Start date section). The real course start and end dates will be announced at the beginning of February at the latest.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, the student:
- recognizes the general characteristics of complex systems and uses them in his/her field of research;
- describes the most important complex systems and understands their functioning;
- describes the processes that lead to self-organisation and their manifestations of self-organisation.
Examination
Final assessment can consist of one test/assignment or several smaller assignments completed during the whole course. After declaring a course the student can re-sit the exam/assessment once. Assessment can be graded or non-graded. For specific information about the assessment process please get in touch with the contact person of this course. For specific information about grade transfer please contact your home university
Course requirements
None.
Resources
- Per Bak „How Nature Works: the science of self-organized criticality“. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-5426-1.
- Raúl Sánchez, David Newman „A Primer on Complex Systems“. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1229-1.
Activities
lectures, exercises
Additional information
- More infoCoursepage on website of Tallinn University of Technology
- Contact a coordinator
- CreditsECTS 6
- LevelMaster
- Contact hours per week4
- InstructorsMarco Patriarca
- Mode of instructionHybrid
Offering(s)
Start date
3 February 2025
- Ends16 June 2025
- Term *Spring semester 2025
- Instruction languageEnglish
- Register between29 Oct - 29 Nov 2024
Enrolment openApply now