Identify agents, interactions, constraints, feedbacks, and scales
Computing, Communication & Enterprise · Data Science & Research Computing
CAS-330Complex Adaptive Systems
Examines emergence, feedback, adaptation, networks, path dependence, scale, and agent interaction across social, biological, environmental, and technological systems.
Course outcomes
What students develop
Develop and interrogate simple system models
Distinguish emergence from centralized explanation
Connect simulation results to empirical evidence and uncertainty
Course content
Topics and questions
- Emergence and self-organization
- Networks and diffusion
- Feedback and adaptation
- Agent-based modeling
- Path dependence, resilience, and transformation
Methods & resources
Tools and environments
- Agent-based simulation environment
- Network and visualization tools
Evaluation
Demonstration of learning
- System map
- Model notebook
- Comparative systems analysis
Program relationships
Where this course fits
Core
Spatial Anthropology & Cultural Systems
Integrates anthropology, geography, landscape, migration, memory, technology, and complex human-environment systems.
Core
Anthropology, Technology & Complex Systems
Advanced research on culture, biology, technology, environment, institutions, and emergence across interacting human systems.
Core
Climate, Ecology & Human Adaptation
Studies climate and ecological change together with human vulnerability, adaptation, resilience, and environmental decision making.
Core
Earth, Life & Planetary Systems
Original research across earth history, living systems, climate, planetary processes, and coupled environmental change.
Core
Engineering Systems & Field Automation
Develops integrated robotic, sensing, control, and operational systems for field, infrastructure, environmental, agricultural, and research contexts.
Core
Engineering Systems & Frontier Technologies
Original engineering research across instrumentation, sensing, robotics, photonics, materials, autonomy, infrastructure, and complex technical systems.
Core
Computational Intelligence & Data Systems
Combines computer science, AI, data engineering, research computing, visualization, systems thinking, and responsible application.
Core
Applied AI, Research Computing & Visualization
Advanced computational methods for research, data-intensive inquiry, AI systems, visualization, reproducibility, and decision environments.
Core
Technology Enterprise & Innovation
Connects technology strategy, venture design, product development, organizational systems, finance, partnerships, and responsible growth.
Core
Computational Systems, Communication & Enterprise
Original research on computational systems and the institutions, communications, markets, and human environments through which they operate.
Core
Climate & Ecological Systems
Climate evidence, ecology, remote sensing, adaptation, resilience, field monitoring, and systems analysis.
Core
Quantum Foundations & Contextuality
Quantum states, measurement, contextuality, symmetry, information, interpretation, and disciplined interdisciplinary reasoning.
Core
Complex Adaptive Systems
Emergence, feedback, adaptation, networks, agent interaction, simulation, resilience, and cross-scale systems reasoning.
Course inquiry
Connect this course to a program, certificate, or professional objective.
Join the interest list or request a course and pathway conversation.