Complex Systems

by Terry R. J. Bossomaier, David G. Green

Overview

This book explores the exciting new field of complexity. It features in-depth coverage of important theoretical areas, including fractals, chaos, nonlinear dynamics, artificial life, and self organization. It also provides overviews of complexity in several applied areas, including parallel computation, control systems, neural systems, and ecosystems. Contributors examine some of the properties that best characterize complex systems, including algorithmic richness, nonlinearity, and abundant interactions between components. In this way the book draws themes, especially the ideas of connectivity and natural computation, that reveal deep, underlying similarities among phenomena that have formerly been treated as completely distinct. Researchers in a wide array of fields, including ecology, neuroscience, computer science, and mathematics, will find this volume to be a fascinating collection of ideas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521462457
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/06/2000
Pages:	420
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Terry R. J. Bossomaier and David G. Green; 2. Self-organisation in complex systems David G. Green; 3. Network evolution and the emergence of structure D. A. Seeley; 4. Artificial life: growing complex systems Z. Aleksić; 5. Deterministic and random fractals John E. Hutchinson; 6. Non-linear dynamics D. E. Stewart and R. L. Dewar; 7. Non-linear control systems M. R. James; 8. Parallel computers and complex systems G. C. Fox and P. D. Coddington; 9. Are ecosystems complex systems? R. H. Bradbury, David G. Green and N. Snoad; 10. Complexity and neural networks Terry R. J. Bossomaier; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Overall, the book is a useful collection of introductory summaries of each area of complexity theory." Mathematics Today

"[A] complete well-written overview of the current state of the science of complex systems, rich in biological inspired topics that is very worth reading." Ecoscience

From the Publisher