Fwd: Physics and Computation

Posted by Owen Densmore on
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/Fwd-Physics-and-Computation-tp5092587.html

Cris Moore, who just gave a brilliant course on theoretical computer  
science last semester at UNM, is offering another winner which looks  
at the computer science behind complex systems.

If you'd like a taste of his rather unique approach to computer  
science, you can look at his forthcoming book, the Nature of  
Computation:
        http://www.nature-of-computation.org/

At this point, it will not be available on video, so would require a  
commute.  But its possible if there is interest, we might change that.

     -- Owen


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Cris Moore <[hidden email]>
> Date: May 3, 2010 11:55:09 AM MDT
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Cs500] Physics and Computation
>
> Invitation to register for
>
> Physics and Computation, CS473/573
> T/Th 2:00-3:15, Fall 2010
>
> First of all: physics is NOT a prerequisite for this class!
>
> Second of all: this is open to both graduate students (in Computer  
> Science, Physics, Math, Biology, and other fields) and  
> undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a research career.
>
> This is really a complex systems class with a physics tinge.  The  
> goal is to explain experimental and analytical techniques which help  
> us explore the properties of mathematical models of physical and  
> social systems.  Homeworks will include some simple experimental  
> projects along with mathematical work.  All projects and homeworks  
> are collaborative, i.e., working with other students is encouraged.
>
> Topics include:
>
> Random graphs, branching processes, and the emergence of the giant  
> component
> The Ising model of magnetism, percolation, and scale-freeness
> Preferential attachment and power-law degree distributions on the Web
> Monte Carlo algorithms, Markov chains, and mixing times
> Sandpiles, forest fires, and self-organized criticality
> Phase transitions in NP-complete problems and the probabilistic method
>
> Mathematical prerequisites: some linear algebra (you should know  
> what eigenvalues and eigenvectors are) and some calculus (you should  
> know what a Taylor series is).
>
> If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [hidden email]
>  or [hidden email].
>
> - Cris Moore
>
>
>
> Cristopher Moore
> Professor, Computer Science / Physics and Astronomy
> University of New Mexico
> and the Santa Fe Institute
> [hidden email]
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Cs500 mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://mail.cs.unm.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/cs500

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