SySc 557 Artificial Life

Artificial life (ALife) encompasses mathematical and computational studies of phenomena such as replication, metabolism, morphogenesis, learning, adaptation, and evolution. Situated at the intersection of computer science and biology (also physics and chemistry) and focused on abstract, materiality-independent aspects of life, its purpose is two-fold: to understand biological phenomena and to develop computational technologies. ALife bears significantly also on the social sciences and philosophy. It is part of the research program into "complex adaptive systems". Emphasizes (1) cellular automata (and other discrete dynamical models), (2) ecological and evolutionary simulations, and (3) genetic algorithm optimization and adaptation. Other topics include artificial chemistry (metabolism and origins of life) and philosophical issues.