1:25-2:15 MW PY 109
This course deals with systems that evolve and adapt over time.
Psychology, computer science, economics, biology, and neuroscience
depend upon a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that govern
adaptive systems.  A common feature of these systems is that
organized behavior emerges from the interactions of many simple
parts.  Ants organize to build colonies, neurons organize to produce
adaptive human behavior, and businesses organize to create economies.
To address the essential question of "What are the properties of
complex adaptive systems?," case studies of several systems will be
explored: chaotic growth in animal populations, human learning,
cooperation and competition within social groups, and the evolution
of artificial life.  The central thesis is that widely different
systems (businesses, ant colonies, and brains) share fundamental
commonalities.

These topics will be explored by extensive hands-on use of
interactive computer simulations (no programming experience is
required).  Students will be evaluated by their performance on weekly
laboratory assignments and two exams.