Master of Complex Systems

Program Overview

The Master of Complex Systems from the University of Sydney equips students to model, analyze, and design complex technological, socioeconomic, and socioecological systems. Graduates acquire skills in quantitative modeling, computational simulation, crisis forecasting, and management. The program fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates for careers in research, consulting, and policy-making roles. Specialization options allow students to tailor their studies to specific industry needs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: Gain comprehensive technical knowledge to model, analyze and design resilient technological, socioeconomic and socioecological systems, as well as develop strategies for crisis forecasting and management.
Develop skills in quantitative modelling and computational simulation of system dynamics.
• Objectives: The Master of Complex Systems is designed to provide students with the expertise to model, analyze and design resilient technological, socioeconomic and socioecological systems, as well as develop strategies for crisis forecasting and management.
• Program Description: The program focuses on providing students with the ability to understand and address complex issues in areas such as:
• Technological systems
• Socioeconomic systems
• Socioecological systems
• Key Features:
• Develop skills in quantitative modelling and computational simulation of system dynamics.

Outline:

• Content:
• Foundational and core complex systems units
• Units covering concepts in advanced computing
• A capstone project unit
• Elective units to meet course requirements
• Specialization options within elective credit points
• Structure: Postgraduate coursework degree.
• Course Schedule:
• Full-time: 1.5 years
• Part-time: Available
• Individual Modules:
• Faculty:
• Leveraging strengths of the Centre for Complex Systems
• Faculty of Engineering

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Major multi-national research and development companies
• Government and crisis management agencies
• Large health, construction and transport organizations
• Academic research pathway
• Opportunities: Graduates can operate across discipline boundaries, in environments outside the experience of most professionals, providing key modelling input and insights to resolution of complex challenges across the globe.
• Outcomes: Graduates will be suitable for careers in major multi-national research and development companies, government and crisis management agencies, and large health, construction and transport organisations, or continue on an academic research pathway.

Other:

• The University of Sydney's ranking:
• Ranked 25th globally for engineering and computer science (2023 Shanghai Ranking of Academic Subjects).
• Top 20 university globally (2025 QS World University Rankings)
• Access to more than 1200 industry, not-for-profits and government partners to gain real-world work experience before graduation.
• Additional Information:
• Location: Camperdown/Darlington, University of Sydney
• Study mode: Face-to-face
• Credit points: 72