Interesting MA in Complexity, Chaos, & Creativity

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jcryan, Mar 16, 2002.

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  1. jcryan

    jcryan New Member

    I came across this unique interdisciplinary DL masters-by-coursework program based at the University of Western Sydney:

    MA in Complexity, Chaos, and Creativity

    http://www.uws.edu.au/vip/dimitrov/MAchaos.htm

    8 courses including:

    Intro to Complexity, Chaos, and Creativity
    Fuzzy Logic in Social Sciences and Humanistic Research
    Managing Organizational Change at the Edge of Chaos

    Apparently, the curriculum has little to do with physics!

    P.S. This is the same university that offers a DL Masters in Astronomy.

    Thought you'd be interested if you didn't know about it already,

    John
     
  2. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    This is fascinating--thank you! I may have to see about it myself, if I can find the time and the price is right...


    Cheers,
     
  3. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    MA in Complexity and Chaos

    Thank you. This posting is the bright spot of my day. I'm not sure how it would look on a resume but I'm looking into it. Have a great Sunday. Hille
     
  4. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    What a wonderful program -- and what a wonderful personal site the founder, Dr. Vlad Dimitrov has:
    http://www.uws.edu.au/vip/dimitrov/

    Fuzziology! Fuzzification! I could imagine doing this thing.
     
  5. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Having spent just a few minutes on the website I think it would be important to mention that there is actually a fourth "C" (in fact they refer to the program as "the quadruple C"), the fourth C being Contemplation. It looks like it could be very interesting. I sent off an email to check on the cost. I can post again when I get the answer.
    Jack
     
  6. kajidoro

    kajidoro New Member

    Intersting programme. I'd be interested in hearing the results of all those posing questions to UWS.

    Christian
     
  7. StevenKing

    StevenKing Active Member

    Fuzziology?

    A quick link to an online currency converter shows $1000 AUS = to $595 US per unit. 8 units in the program would cost $4200 US.

    While I agree that this degree looks intriguing...what are you thinking it would be useful for?

    Contemplating,
    Steven King
     
  8. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Re: Fuzziology?

    Steven - Thanks for coming up with the figures. I didn't barge around on the website long enough to find them. As to your question, "What are you thinking it would be useful for?" I have to admit that I don't know. Perhaps a stepping stone to a PhD/teaching/writing sort of gig. Or perhaps just wanting to shoot for being the best educated person working at the local fast food joint ;)
    Jack
     
  9. StevenKing

    StevenKing Active Member

    Jack,

    No problem. I have to admit that since I'm really close to finishing my MBA - this type of program actually intrigues me.

    Fuzziology is a new one on me...too bad it's not fozzyology - we could bring back the Muppets.

    :D

    Steven King
     
  10. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I just got an email response from Kathy Adam of the Quadruple C program. She said that the cost is $1,000. per unit with a $185. student union fee. She didn't say it specifically, but I'm guessing that she's talking Australian dollars.
    Jack
     
  11. dlkereluk

    dlkereluk New Member


    I've been told that the way that my life is that I have the "equivalent" to a Ph.D. in Complexity and Chaos.


    :D

    Darren.
     
  12. DCross

    DCross New Member

    This could possibly be the world's most work-relavant degree, since complexity, chaos, creativity, and contemplation are what we all find, find, need, and need at work. :)
     
  13. Bob Harris

    Bob Harris New Member

    Re: Fuzziology?

    Interestingly, I've been looking for just this kind of program. The primary use I have for this field of study is in the area of Internet traffic analysis, online user behaviour, trend analysis and the like. Chaos and Complexity theory applies to the movement of data packets throughout a network - rather than an aggregate of data traffic taking on a "gaussian" shape (smooth distribution along a curve), Internet traffic has been shown to take on a "self-similar" pattern or distribution. This means that the general "shape" of data traffic is similar along a variety of different time-scales (milliseconds, days, weeks, etc.). In other words, if the data traffic is "bursty" on one time-scale, the same bursty shape is present on a different time-scale and in greater magnitude - the traffic peaks add up to a much higher level than would be if you consider the traffic "smooted" by a gaussian distribution. The main consequence is that if you are considering the traffic as gaussian, then you may not be installing enough capacity on the network to support the traffic demands.

    Chaos and Complexity theory also applies when analyzing the social or human nature of an information system - which is, of course, simply an extension of human behaviour. Organizations, information systems, the Internet, etc, all exhibit disorderly behaviour in some way. However, chaos theory allows one to reveal the inherent order within a chaotic system - order emgeres from disorder. So, the apparent random nature of Interenet user behaviour can reveal some specific patterns of use which can be used to determine grwoth trends in specific services or applications, which can then be used to determine how your network must scale its resources to support those apps & services.

    I'm definately going to investigate this program.

    Bob
     
  14. jimwe

    jimwe Member

    This sounds like one of those feel good, study what you want to study programs like you'd find from Antioch University or The Rollo May Center for Humanistic Studies (that haven't quite figured out that it's not 1969 any more).

    I doubt the acceptability of this would be high in traditional academia in general. Except like someone said, if you want to be the most highly educated cabbie or burger flipper at your place of employment!

    This degree is definately "out there." But then, one of the most sucessful people I've met in traveling in Asia since 1995 has a dual major. Her major was finance and drama. It opened up doors because as she said, "business majors are a dime a dozen and since I took drama, they figured I could handle alot of different situations." (Of course, it helped that she was blonde and pretty!)

    Last I heard, she had a killer job in Hong Kong and was making a mint. Maybe in combo with a very traditional degree, you could carve out an interesting niche somewhere. The price is certainly reasonable. There's my 2 cents, anyway. I must admit, it does sound interesting, tho!
     
  15. kajidoro

    kajidoro New Member

    From the Web page:

    The units of this Masters Program aim to provide a postgraduate qualification relevant to those wishing to enter or enhance a professional career in any field where a fundamental requirement is the ability to deal creatively with inherent complexity and rapid change (some examples: organisational management and business, health practices and environmental management, facilitation and counselling, government and politics, social policy and community development, design and arts).

    This degree would be relevant in enhancing and supporting activities that are part of most employment endeavours, because each has its own inherent chaos and complexity.

    Christian
     
  16. StevenKing

    StevenKing Active Member

    You know, having read this post a little more thoroughly...this type of degree might have amazing application in a church setting.

    Interesting - or maybe I am just wanting to eventually stack up a number of degrees so I too can become Thermometer Man. :D
     

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