About Systems Thinking at the Purdue Systems Collaboratory

We live in a world of dynamic, complex systems; some spawned by nature; some built by humans; all interrelated. These systems range from large-scale power grids and social networks, to small-scale devices such as MEMS motors for unclogging blood vessels and 3-D nano structures. We are all systems builders and systems integrators, but not yet skilled at understanding, holistically, how these systems behave and how to anticipate the full range of impact when systems are disrupted. Our ability to create complex systems has far exceeded the capability to understand and manage them.

For more information about systems thinking, see the materials listed under our Resources section

Descriptions of Systems Thinking from PSC Classes

"Systems thinking aims to address grand challenges that are of global concern—such as environmental sustainability and energy use, natural and human disasters, and political and economic development"
- SYS 300

"Use system ideas, tools, methods, and models to address real world complex problems, through the lens of diverse disciplinary perspectives, from the biological and physical sciences to the social sciences, to engineering"
- SYS 350

"Engineers, social scientists, and managers frequently bring people and technology together to address complex problematic situations in an equitable way that benefits people and the environment"
- SYS 530

Read more about the clases offered by the PSC here