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Introduction to Complexity Science

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Introduction to Complexity Science

Instructor: Cheong Siew Ann

7,917 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

33 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

33 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

This course explores the features of complexity science. Our world is connected by an abundance of complex systems. Across all levels of organizations from physical, biological world to the social world, we may think of the connectivity between individual elements and how they interact and influence each other. For example, how humans transmit pandemics within a group, how cars interact in the traffic system and how networks connect in governmental organizations. Although these systems are diverse and different, they have surprisingly huge features in common.

In the past several decades, the study of complexity science has been increasing. It is widely acknowledged that an innovative, integrated and analytical way of thinking is essential for understanding the complex issues in the human societies. In this course, we will aim to give everyone a comprehensive introduction of the complex systems, to talk about the resilience, robustness and sustainability of the systems and to learn basic mathematical methods for complex system analysis, for example regime shifts and tipping points, the agent-based modelling, the dynamic and network theories. Most importantly, we will implement the theories into practical applications of cities and health to help students gain practice in complex systems way of thinking. This course is co-developed by Associate Professor Cheong Siew Ann, Professor Stephen Lansing and Professor Peter Sloot between 2014 and 2020 at the Complexity Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

This week provides an overview of complex systems, explaining the evolution of complexity science, its applications in society, and the importance of gaining a basic understanding of the field. As complexity science is not a spectator sport, the module emphasizes that students must go beyond learning models and methods from lectures. You will be required to try these out to develop a practical feel for what they mean and what they can do. Accordingly, this week utilizes Jupyter Notebooks to facilitate two specific exercises, the Nagel-Schreckenberg model of vehicular traffic and the Game of Life.

What's included

8 videos3 readings2 assignments2 ungraded labs1 plugin

8 videos Total 64 minutes

Introduction to Complex Systems (Part I) - Professor Stephen Lansing 7 minutes
What Is a Complex System? - Professor Peter Sloot 11 minutes
Scientific Progress of Complexity Science - Professor Peter Sloot 11 minutes
Introduction to Complex Systems (Part II) - Professor Stephen Lansing 2 minutes
Difference between Chaos and Complexity - Professor Peter Sloot 8 minutes
The Behaviour of Scale-free Network - Professor Peter Sloot 13 minutes
Introduction to Complex Systems (Part III) - Professor Stephen Lansing 2 minutes
Complex Systems in Society: Pandemic & Crime - Professor Peter Sloot 11 minutes

3 readings Total 25 minutes

How to Navigate this Course 5 minutes
Meet Your Instructors 10 minutes
Reference Slides for Videos by Professor Stephen Lansing 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 20 minutes

Knowledge Check 1 10 minutes
Knowledge Check 2 10 minutes

2 ungraded labs Total 180 minutes

Nagel-Schreckenberg Model of Vehicular Traffic 120 minutes
Game of Life 60 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Reference Video for Jupyter Notebook Exercise on Vehicular Traffic 15 minutes

In this week, you will get a comprehensive understanding of robustness, resilience and sustainability. You will learn the self-organized criticality in the complexity system and self-similarity including the fractals, power law, universality and phase transition diagram. This week includes a case study of the subak system in Bali, which will help you further understand the tragedy of the commons. Lastly, you will get introduced to the resilience of a swarm.

What's included

6 videos1 reading

6 videos Total 109 minutes

Robustness, Resilience and Sustainability (Part I) - Professor Stephen Lansing 23 minutes
Prisoner’s Dilemma - Professor Brian Arthur 10 minutes
Robustness, Resilience and Sustainability (Part II) - Professor Stephen Lansing 15 minutes
Islands of Order: Introduction of the Bali Subak System Model - Professor Stephen Lansing 34 minutes
Robustness, Resilience and Sustainability (Part III) - Professor Stephen Lansing 3 minutes
Design and Control of Swarm Dynamics - Professor Design and Control of Swarm Dynamics 24 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reference Slides for Videos by Professor Stephen Lansing 10 minutes

In this week, you will get a basic understanding of tipping point and regime shifts, and their applications in forecasting. You will understand the phase transition diagram, criticality and landau theory. Additionally, you will review examples on early warnings and forecasting in earthquakes and stock markets.

What's included

10 videos1 reading

10 videos Total 84 minutes

Regime Shifts and Tipping Points (Part I) - Professor Stephen Lansing 7 minutes
Tipping Point Definition & Criticality - Assoc. Prof. Cheong Siew Ann 16 minutes
Regime Shifts and Tipping Points (Part II) - Professor Stephen Lansing 4 minutes
Landau Theory - Assoc. Prof. Cheong Siew Ann 10 minutes
Regime Shifts and Tipping Points (Part III) - Professor Stephen Lansing 6 minutes
Early Warnings - Assoc. Prof. Cheong Siew Ann 5 minutes
Regime Shifts and Tipping Points (Part IV) - Professor Stephen Lansing 4 minutes
Universal Forecasting - Assoc. Prof. Cheong Siew Ann 7 minutes
Regime Shifts and Tipping Points (Part V) - Professor Stephen Lansing 18 minutes
Quantitative Forecasting - Assoc. Prof. Cheong Siew Ann 6 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reference Slides for Videos by Professor Stephen Lansing 10 minutes

In this week, you will learn about Agent-Based Modeling: what it is, how it works, why it is used and how to use it. Then, you will try a Jupyter Notebook exercise on Schelling’s Segregation Model. You will also learn how to build an ABM using qualitative data from observations and interviews and then validate and calibrate an ABM through examples. In the end, you'll review how to use ABM for policy assessment.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 ungraded lab

3 videos Total 24 minutes

What is ABM - Professor Stephen Lansing 12 minutes
How to Validate and Calibrate ABM? - Professor Stephen Lansing 7 minutes
ABM for Policy Assessment - Professor Stephen Lansing 4 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reference Slides for Videos by Professor Stephen Lansing 10 minutes

1 ungraded lab Total 120 minutes

Schelling’s Segregation Model 120 minutes

In this week, you will get a comprehensive understanding of what a complex network is and how to measure on networks in terms of nodes and paths. You will get introduced to different types of random network and small-world networks that will help you have a better understanding. You will also discuss the robustness of a network, percolation transitions and real-world examples.Lastly, you will review complex networks and their attributes before looking at different network models.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment1 ungraded lab

10 videos Total 159 minutes

Introduction to Static Complex Networks (Part I) - Professor Stephen Lansing 19 minutes
Introduction to Complex Networks (Part I) - Professor Michael Lees 24 minutes
Introduction to Complex Networks (Part II) - Professor Michael Lees 17 minutes
Introduction to Static Complex Networks (Part II) - Professor Stephen Lansing 6 minutes
Random Networks - Professor Michael Lees 16 minutes
Introduction to Static Complex Networks (Part III) - Professor Stephen Lansing 7 minutes
Examples of Scale-free Networks & BA Model - Professor Michael Lees 9 minutes
Introduction to Static Complex Networks (Part IV) - Professor Stephen Lansing 6 minutes
Robustness of Network - Professor Michael Lees 6 minutes
Practice Session Using Python - Professor Michael Lees 49 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Reference Slides for Videos by Professor Stephen Lansing 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Final Assessment 30 minutes

1 ungraded lab Total 120 minutes

Epidemics on Complex Networks 120 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(11 ratings)

Cheong Siew Ann

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

1 Course 7,917 learners

Offered by

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

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Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023

I preferred more projects to be added in the program.

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2024

A lot of really interesting detail that you don't get in many other courses around complexity. I particularly liked learning about Soup-of-Groups.

Reviewed on May 18, 2022

The course provides an easy approach to a laymen to being exposed to the study of complexity science. This broadens and opens up insights to learning.

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Frequently asked questions

For this course, all you need is an Internet connection and camera, and the time to read, write, and discuss, with your peers.

In addition to dealing with the complex issues in the practical applications, this course helps you to gain strong analytical and problem solving skills and build up complex system way of thinking.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.