Complex Adaptive Systems
(Interdepartmental Graduate Minor)
Advisory Committee: D. Ashlock, Chair; H. H. Chou, J. Decker, G. Sheble, L. Tesfatsion
The Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) minor provides graduate students with an understanding of the interrelationships among the various methodologies associated with Artificial Life methodologies. Of special importance in the program is the interplay of techniques between biological systems and computer emulations of such systems for applications in various fields as Economics, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Graduates understand the ways in which artificial life techniques may be applied to their major field of study. They have an appreciation and understanding of the cross-disciplinary aspects of artificial life techniques. Students who complete a minor in this graduate program are able to describe and report on various artificial life techniques as applied to many fields, even outside their own field of application.

Work in the CAS minor is offered for students pursuing any graduate degree. The primary cooperating departments are Economics, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology, and Biology.

Each student’s Masters Program of Study (POS) must include at least 9 CAS relevant course credits chosen in consultation with the student’s POS committee and the CAS program, plus two credits (one credit each time taken) of the CAS seminar and three credits of CAS 503 (see below). Each student’s Ph.D. Program of Study must include at least 12 CAS relevant courses credits chosen in consultation with the student’s POS committee and the CAS program, plus two credits (one credit each time taken) of the CAS seminar and three credits of CAS 503. Ph.D. students who also minored in CAS at the master’s level must take one additional CAS relevant course (3 cr.) and two additional credits of CAS seminar. Courses that satisfy CAS requirements may also be used to satisfy major requirements if such “double counting” is acceptable to the major program.

Interested students may contact the chairperson of the advisory committee for complete lists of courses and of CAS faculty members.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
CAS 502. Complex Adaptive Systems Seminar. (Same as E E 502, Com S 502.) (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Admission to CAS minor. Understanding core techniques in artificial life are based on basic readings in complex adaptive systems. Understand techniques of complex system analysis methods including: Evolutionary computation, Neural nets, Agent based simulations (Agent based Computational Economics). Large-scale simulations are to be emphasized, e.g. power grids, whole ecosystems.

CAS 503. Complex Adaptive Systems Concepts and Techniques. (Same as E E 503, Com S 503.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Admission to CAS minor. Understanding of Computer Modeling of Complex Systems, Complex adaptive systems approach to the study of evolutionary computation, neural computation, cellular computation, computational models of immune systems, complexity theory, computational economics, and other fields of applications.