About
MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS M.S. | PH.D.
The graduate program in Management of Complex Systems addresses cross-disciplinary challenges of understanding, modeling, designing, and managing complex systems, focusing on adaptive management of complex coupled human and natural systems and complex coupled human and technology systems, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and public and private enterprises.
multidisciplinary training
FOUNDATIONS OF MANAGEMENT
Apply disciplinary concepts and theories for framing and defining research questions and plans from business, management, economics, sociology, psychology, cognitive science, environmental science and engineering.
RESEARCH METHODS FOR MANAGEMENT
Apply contemporary data analytics, complex systems, management and organizational science methods needed to conduct rigorous research in your area of specialization.
COMMUNICATION FOR MANAGERS
Communicate effectively to experts and non-experts, in professional (scientific and management) and community settings, preparing and delivering oral and written presentations using appropriate technologies.
RESEARCH INDEPENDENCE
Initiate and conduct independent research that makes an original contribution to knowledge, and which may be published in a peer-reviewed outlet.
RESEARCH ETHICS AND SOCIETAL CONTEXT
Demonstrate familiarity with all aspects of research ethics and their societal context.
management of complex systems at uc merced
The Ph.D. in Management of Complex Systems (MCS) is designed to educate a new generation of management scholars with depth in analytical methods and a focus on complexity as the driving force behind issues in management of human-technology systems and in management of coupled human-natural systems.
The program draws upon the multidisciplinary composition of Management of Innovation, Sustainability and Technology (MIST) faculty and the interdisciplinary spirit of UC Merced to deliver a distinctive educational experience – one that provides students the flexibility to cross-breed coursework and mentorship with other domains of engineering, science, and social science. Likewise, the program does not require prospective students to have any particular undergraduate degree.
Courses are directly taught by MIST core faculty who have expertise in various facets of adaptive management of complex coupled human and natural systems, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and public and private enterprises. As such, coursework and thesis projects are aimed at developing management skills tailored for ‘wicked problems’ – those of indeterminate scale and scope requiring interdisciplinary collaboration – that are so often encountered in complex adaptive systems.
Both the sources and solutions to the grand challenges of the 21st century are at the intersection of people, organizations, information, technology, and the natural world. By focusing on this nexus, this program will prepare our students with a valuable skillset for working with other scholars, practitioners, and policy makers in order to address challenges of monitoring, analysis, modeling, entrepreneurship, adaptive management and change leadership that managers and leaders are faced with across a diverse array of public and private organizations.
alumni name
Class of 2015
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alumni name
Class of 2015
Satatium voloration pos volorem aut inuscip santur sa endignis etus, coruptatia aut fugiatis aut occullu ptatem que num exped quia volorerestia nectem a sequia et autatis. Nostiam es egi aleris noxim me vernica vividi menius in etiquam. Nostiam es egi aleris noxim me vernica patquodiu in.
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FUNDING SUPPORT
Students in good standing are eligible for year-round financial support, including payment of fees and tuition. Students are typically supported by teaching and research assistantships, which can be supplemented by fellowships, faculty research grants, awards and other forms of financial assistance.