Today research feeds us with large amounts of detailed data, yet leaves us unnourished when not providing thorough comprehension. To this end the course on the holistic worldview gives the participants means to analyze and to understand various phenomena in diverse disciplines using the universal principle of least time. Applications of the natural law range from reactions in chemical systems to interactions in ecosystems and to transactions in economic systems as well as from reactions of elementary particles to motions of galaxies and to evolution of the entire Universe. To employ the universal principle is motivated because scale-free patterns are ubiquitous, i.e., skewed distributions that accumulate along sigmoid growth and decline curves which in turn display mostly as power-law lines on log-log plots, are found everywhere in data irrespective of a discipline. The course is self-sustaining, and hence no prerequisites are required for participation, yet mastering basic skills of mathematics and knowing basic concepts of physics will be helpful.

Course leader
Lecturer: Prof. Arto Annila (University of Helsinki, Finland)Coordinator: Professor (emer.) Erkki Kolehmainen (University of Jyvskyl, Finland)

Target group
The Summer School annually offers courses for advanced master's students, graduate students, and post-docs in the various fields of science and information technology.

Course aim
The most important aims of the Summer School are to develop post-graduates scientific readiness and to offer students the possibility to study in a modern, scientific environment and to create connections to the international science community.

Credits info
2 ECTS Grading: Pass/failPassing: Obligatory attendance at lectures. There will be an exam at the end of the course.

Fee info
EUR 0: Participating the Summer School is free of charge, but student have to cover the costs of own travel, accommodation and meals at Jyvskyl.

Scholarships
The 25th Jyvskyl Summer School is not able to grant any Summer School students financial support. In order to ensure your participation, we recommend that you take steps to secure your own funding, for example, by turning first to your home institution