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School of Cybernetics · ANU College of Engineering Computing & Cybernetics
This course is an introduction to cybernetics and cyber-physical systems: the history, theoretical frameworks and key concepts. “Cybernetics” as a field was invented in 1948, when American mathematician and philosopher, Norbert Wiener coined the term in his book of the same name. He was particularly interested in understanding systems level interactions and feedback loops that encompassed biological, technical and human systems. Wiener’s early explorations of the topic brought together anthropologists, psychologists, biologists, philosophers, and early proponents of computing. This work formed the intellectual bedrock for much of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) agenda that would follow. Whilst the work was supplanted in the United States by AI and Computer Science, it continued to evolve and expand in Europe and Latin America. Today, cyber-physical systems, or CPS, are often viewed as the application of cybernetics, and the course will explore CPS in this context.
Project based assessment
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Portfolio assessment
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
We expect participants to dedicate around 10 hours per week to this course, for twelve weeks. This will comprise: - three hours per week classwork; and - seven hours per week dedicated to self-study, reading, and group projects.
None Preliminary Reading Resource lists for this course will include a wide variety of materials, including books, articles, films, art and podcasts. Participants are not expected to read every source themselves. Generally, participants will have time to select and discuss a particular approach or framework that they will engage with.