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University Studies

Minor in Complexity

At a Glance

Complexity, an interdisciplinary minor, is the study of the behavior of multiple interactions, including how crowds turn into mobs or how birds flock. 

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Minor

18

Overview

Complexity, an interdisciplinary minor, is the study of the behavior of multiple interactions, including how crowds turn into mobs or how birds flock. 

About the Minor

The minor is constructed in a manner that affords all students, regardless of college or major, the opportunity to take a minor in complexity. The minor has multiple access points, incorporates existing courses, and, by design, does not require a prohibitive number of prerequisites. As a result, you will have the opportunity to take a minor in complexity without adding a large number of credits and should, in most cases, be able to complete the minor using free electives and courses meeting other requirements. The structure allows for the application within your major field of study.

You will have the opportunity to study with faculty from across the campus as you explore the basic concepts and techniques used to study complex systems. And you can apply what you have learned to your major field of study. Earning a minor in complexity, we believe, will be value-added for our students regardless of major.

Degree Requirements

Undergraduate students can earn the Minor in Complexity by completing 18 credit hours.

Required (6 credits)

  • CPLX 100 – Introduction to Complexity 
  • CS 105 – Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling  

Electives (12 credits)

Students must take four courses from a list of courses approved for the minor. At least 6 credits must be taken at the 300-level or above. Students are encouraged to consult with the Program Director, who oversees the minor with the van Rooy Center Curriculum Advisory Committee.

The minor is described in detail in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Students Engaged in Complexity Studies

The van Rooy Center for Complexity and Conflict Analysis 

The mission of the van Rooy Center is to assist the University of Hartford and its faculty in advancing the understanding among its students of the fundamentals of the new science of complexity.

Join the Fun

Agent-based Modeling

We study the elements of complex systems and experiment with Netlogo—a programming language. This course satisfies the Information Technology Literacy requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty & Staff

Jane Horvath
Associate Professor of Economics; Director of The van Rooy Center for Complexity and Conflict Analysis; Special Assistant to the President for LGBT Issues; Senior Advisor to the President
President
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Robert Leve
Associate Professor
Psychology

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Patricia Mellodge
Associate Professor, Program Director for Electrical Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Melinda Miceli
Department of Social Sciences Chair; Associate Professor of Sociology
Social Science

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Brian T. Swanson
Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Program Director, Physical Therapy; Director, Certificate in Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy; Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Rehabilitation Sciences

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Ralph Zegarelli
Emeritus Professor
Computing Sciences

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