EduXchange.EU

Complex Systems and Self-Organization

YFX1150
Physics and Energy

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

  • Credits
    ECTS 6
  • Level
    Master
  • Contact hours per week
    4
  • Instructors
    Marco Patriarca
  • Mode of instruction
    Hybrid
If anything remains unclear, please check the FAQ of TalTech (Estonia).

Offering(s)

  • Start date

    3 February 2025

    • Ends
      16 June 2025
    • Term *
      Spring semester 2025
    • Instruction language
      English
    • Register between
      29 Oct - 29 Nov 2024
    Enrolment open
    Apply now
These offerings are valid for students of DTU (Denmark)