Subject: Constitutions of Matter: Mathematically Modeling the Most Everyday of Physical Phenomena (fwd)
From: krieger
Date: 30 Nov 1996 05:15:58 -0800
University of Chicago Press has just published my new book with the above
title. It examines proofs of the stability of matter, and the very many
solutions to the Ising model, to better understand how the technical
mathematics does "physical" work, making clear just what is the physics in
each case. The figures include Onsager; van Hove and Fisher and
Ruelle; Lenard and Dyson; Lebowitz, Lieb, and Thirring; and Onsager; Yang;
Lee and Yang; Schultz, Mattis, and Lieb; McCoy and Wu, Baxter--not to
mention many others who have contributed to these programs of research.
It will interest physicists and chemists, mathematical and theoretical
physicists, some mathematicians, and those concerned with the philosophy
and history of these subjects. It helps to have a proper technical
training, but I have written the book so that those who are trained in
philosophy and history of science can follow the argument.
The appendix reproduces two of Onsager's crucial papers, one on the
stability of matter, the other the 1944 paper on the Ising model.
The book is available from your bookstore, or from the University of
Chicago Press at 1 800 621 2736, ISBN=0 226 45304 9. It will be a Library
of Science selection.
Martin Krieger
University of Southern California
Los Angeles CA 90089-0042.
PS. An earlier book of mine, Doing Physics: How Physicists Take Hold of
the World (1992) is available from Indiana University Press at 800 642
8796, ISBN=0 253 33123 4. It too was a Library of Science Selection.
Subject: MA in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science, University of Sussex, UK
From: ronc@cogs.susx.ac.uk (Ron Chrisley)
Date: 30 Nov 1996 22:00:27 GMT
MA in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Graduate Research Centre
School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences
The University of Sussex
Brighton, United Kingdom
The MA in Philosophy of Cognitive Science is a one year programme
which aims to foster the study of foundational issues in cognitive
science and artificial intelligence. It is designed for students with
a background in Philosophy, although offers may be made to exceptional
students with backgrounds in other disciplines related to cognitive
science. Students combine work towards a 20,000 word philosophy
dissertation with subsidiary courses concerning aspects of cognitive
science and artificial intelligence (AI).
The MA programme is based in the School of Cognitive and Computing
Sciences, which provides a highly active and interdisciplinary
environment involving linguists, cognitive psychologists, philosophers
and AI researchers. Research undertaken in the school ranges from
highly practical applications of new ideas in computing, to the most
abstract philosophical issues concerning the foundations of cognitive
science. The school attracts large numbers of research fellows and
distinguished academic visitors. Interdisciplinary dialogue is
encouraged by several weekly research seminars.
Programme Structure:
The MA consists of a programme of full-time study running from October
in one year to the following September. In each of the first two
terms (Autumn and Spring) students take two (three if MSc options are
taken) courses. During the third term (Summer) students work towards
a 20,000 word philosophy dissertation. Options available in the first
two terms allow students to benefit from the opportunities for
interdisciplinary study available within the School of Cognitive and
Computing Sciences.
The core courses are:
Philosophy of Cognitive Science I ---
The Representational Theory of Mind
Philosophy of Cognitive Science II ---
Mind Embedded and Embodied
Options include:
(Autumn)
Modern Analytic Philosophy 1
Modern European Philosophy 1
Adaptive Behaviour in Animals and Robots
Artificial Intelligence Programming I
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Introduction to Computer Science
Knowledge Representation
Natural Language Syntax
(Spring)
Modern Analytic Philosophy 2
Modern European Philosophy 2
Adaptive Systems
Automated Planning
Artificial Intelligence Programming II
Computer Vision
Development in Human and Artificial Life
History and Philosophy of Adaptive Systems
Interactive Learning Environments
Logics for Artificial Intelligence
Natural Language Processing
Natural Language Semantics
Neural Networks
Simulation of Adaptive Behaviour
Software Design and Evaluation
Please note that the above lists of options are typical of those
available each year, but may be subject to change according to faculty
interests and availability. Choice of options is determined by student
preference and content of first degree, although some of the spring
term options assume knowledge of computer programming (as provided by
the Autumn term option AI Programming I, for example).
Entrance Requirements and Funding:
Entrance requirements are flexible, although it is expected that
applicants will typically have obtained a first degree in Philosophy
or one of the Cognitive Sciences. U.K.students may apply for British
Academy funding for this course. Overseas students will need to obtain
funding from home bodies.
Contact:
For an application form, or further information, please write Prof.
Matthew Hennessy at the School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences,
University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, or phone him on (0273)
606755 ext. 8101, or email - matthewh@cogs.sussex.ac.uk.
WWW:
More information can be found at http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/grad/pcs/
Ron Chrisley, MA Director
ronc@cogs.susx.ac.uk
