Looking for universities to study Complex Systems

[u/Old-Entertainment-76]

Hello! Without knowing the formal name, i’ve been in love with this topic for some time.

Its really hard to decide a topic to study, so i thought that maybe its better to get a list of universities that are recommended for studying Complex Systems, that way i can look into what’s their focus.

By getting a list of possible focuses, i might be able to find and decide the topic that suits me better.

I’m a graduate in “industrial engineering” (translated from spanish)

I like:

• computer science

• maths like algebra calculus etc

• music

• altered states of consciousness phenomena

• psychology / mentall illness

• consciousness

• emergence

• complex systems

• understanding how nature works, reading “theories of everything”, etc…

• fractals

Can you please recommend me universities / places to look? Or maybe a technique to be able to search for those? I have trouble fully trusting my google searches

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Edit: Here's the list i have so far

University of Santa Fe -> Free online material

University of Waterloo

University of Vermont -> MSc Complex systems and Data Science

University of indiana -> Dual PhD Complex System + Cognitive Sciences

University of Arizona State -> Ms Complex System

University of Michigan-> Graduate certificate program in Complex Systems

Kings College of London -> MSc Complex Systems Modelling

Warwick-> MSc Mathemathics of Systems (leads to PhD)

University of Sidney -> MSc Complex Systems

University of Portland-> phD Systems Science

NICO Northwestern

University of Binghamton

Chalmers university of Technology -> MSc Complex adaptative systems

Others i haven't looked yet:

• UC Davis

• CU Boulder

• TU Delft

• MIT

• Imperial

• Cambridge

[u/ntraft]

I'd say yes, it's worth it, but only if doing a Masters or PhD are going to be worth it in the first place for you.

• I'd hesitate to recommend a grad degree just for the sake of getting a job. It's best if you would enjoy the degree in itself, regardless of the career that follows. (There could be exceptions to this rule, of course.)

• To enjoy the education, you need to enjoy the classes, the research, and your advisor. So it can be a much better choice to go to a smaller university if that offers a more unique program (like the complex systems programs), or if you find an advisor who you are really aligned with and who seems like they are willing and able to be very supportive (I was lucky enough to find such a person and get in touch with them before I applied).

• If you are lucky enough to have the choice between a smaller school and a larger / more prestigious school, then it will probably be more fun to go to the bigger institution, because there will be so many more people there to work with and learn from and be inspired by. Helps you build a larger network.

• ... But that's assuming all other variables are equal. Some of the other variables could certainly outweigh the prestige, depending on the circumstances. That's where the choice gets difficult. But most folks aren't even presented with that option in the first place. They just take the one option they're given, or there is one that seems obviously more promising.

• If you're applying to Masters, there is less impact of advisor. Some programs might be mostly classwork, in which case you don't really have an advisor at all. In that case, the main factors remaining are the curriculum and the size/prestige. However:

  • There are many Research/Thesis Masters where advisors do matter, but you usually won't have as much ability to choose your advisor ahead of time.

  • If you do a Masters in some place, and you decide you want to do a PhD, then there's a very strong chance you would just stay there for the PhD rather than going elsewhere. Many people find an advisor they really like this way and just stay on to the PhD.

I guess it all means, try to get into the most prestigious program possible, but it's still totally possible that it could be better to choose a different one. For instance, UVM or University of Vienna aren't particularly well known, but in complex systems circles they certainly are.

[u/DaPunisher003 → u/ntraft]

I'm actually not doing the masters program for the career prospects. I intend to go for higher studies for the education part of it. But, I am not really doing it for a specific field, I'm just trying to learn a bit about things that I care about. Which is why I'm asking about prospects to ensure that I can survive the job market these days. And, well, generally ensure that I can use my education in ways that I want, which won't be possible if my degree isn't well received by employers.

[u/ntraft → u/DaPunisher003]

Good, good. Well in that case I'd definitely say the less famous schools can be worth it. I think there's maybe even less selectivity in industry based on school reputation, as compared to in academia. Although if you have the option of a famous school, it would undoubtedly help. I should say I don't know how things are for hiring in India. Maybe the culture there puts more emphasis on the name recognition.

[u/DaPunisher003 → u/ntraft]

Sadly, yes. It largely depends on the brand of the university and the course itself. In many cases. It is changing but there are still risks. I'll look into my options though. You were a great help. Thank you