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Unit outline_

CSYS5010: Introduction to Complex Systems

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Globalisation, rapid technological advances, the development of integrated and distributed systems, cross-disciplinary technical collaboration, and the emergence of "evolved" (as opposed to designed) systems are some of the reasons why many systems have begun to be described as complex systems in recent times. Complex technological, biological, socio-economic and socio-ecological systems (power grids, communication and transport systems, food webs, megaprojects, and interdependent civil infrastructure) are composed of large numbers of diverse interacting parts and exhibit self-organisation and/or emergent behaviour. This unit will introduce the basic concepts of "complex systems theory", and focus on methods for the quantitative analysis and modelling of collective emergent phenomena, using diverse computational approaches such as agent-based modelling and simulation, cellular automata, bio-inspired algorithms, and game theory. Students will gain theoretical knowledge of complex adaptive systems, coupled with practical skills in computational simulation and forecasting using a range of modern toolkits.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Harre, michael.harre@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Joseph Lizier, joseph.lizier@sydney.edu.au
Michael Harre, michael.harre@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Project report
Report on major project
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Article review
Summarise and critically evaluate an article
10% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment group assignment Project proposal
Proposal for major project
25% Week 06
Due date: 08 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Presentation group assignment Project presentation
Video presentation on major project, posing and answering questions
20% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2024 at 23:59
15 minutes video, plus Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test hurdle task Viva on project
Individual oral examination on the group project during scheduled class
5% Week 12 10 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Article Review: summarise and critically evaluate a credibly-sourced agent-based modelling article in complex systems.
This is a hurdle task - students must pass this task in order to pass the unit of study.

Project proposal, presentation and report: students will work in a group to extend an agent-based model of a real-world complex system, applying feedback at various stages, and producing a report that communicates this development and future pathways (including how they would validate their model). Individual marks for the group component may be modulated based on the outcome of the individual Viva on project.

Viva on project: students will undertake a short individual oral examination regarding their group project during a scheduled class.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Penalty clause:

 

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. 

 

Example: Consider an assignment’s maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. 

 

For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. 

 

Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assessments must be repeated or replaced with different assessment if missed due to special consideration. No simple extensions are available for the Article Review or Viva on project; if special consideration is granted for these assessments then this will be executed via New/Varied/Extension on the assessment tasks. Extensions for the group Project Presentation will only be granted in the case where formal Special Consideration has been applied for and approved. Furthermore - no late submissions (including with the daily mark deduction) will be accepted for the Project Presentation without Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is Complexity? and Modelling complex systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Introduction to Agent Based Modelling and NetLogo Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 Extending NetLogo models Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Constructing Agent Based Models in NetLogo Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Analysing results of NetLogo simulations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Dynamical systems I Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Dynamical Systems II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Game Theory Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Genetic Algorithms Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Computation, Information, Order and Randomness I Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Computation, Information, Order and Randomness II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Sharing project videos and feedback Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Artificial Intelligence overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

You are expected to attend all (online) classes for this unit. While materials and lecture recordings will be made available these can sometimes fail to work as we would like them to, so it is the student’s responsibility to attend the class in person in order to get the most from this unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand and analyse the dynamics of complex systems using intermediate critical analysis skills
  • LO2. analyse and evaluate models of complex systems using scientific programming and the 'Modelling Loop'
  • LO3. Create, using a scientific modelling language such as NetLogo, multi-agent models of complex systems
  • LO4. understand the nature, structure, function and evolution of complex systems and emergent behaviour in multiple different fields
  • LO5. select and apply different approaches to analysing complex systems in different domains (e.g. game theory, dynamical systems, genetic algorithms)
  • LO6. design and evaluate large systems that satisfy structural and functional criteria within given domains and contexts integrating complex systems approaches.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have been operating in a flipped mode whilst in remote delivery, and will now be adjusting this to having students back in person only.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.