Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Steven Strogatz's MIT graduate course covers nonlinear dynamical systems and chaos theory using an intuitive, geometric approach rather than pure formalism. Topics include bifurcations, phase plane analysis, limit cycles, strange attractors, fractals, and the routes by which simple deterministic systems become chaotic, with applications drawn from mechanical engineering, biology, and chemistry. The course relies heavily on demonstration software to build visual intuition about trajectories and attractors alongside analytical methods. Materials available through MIT OpenCourseWare include full lecture notes, problem sets with solutions, and exams, making it possible to work through the entire syllabus independently. No certificate is offered, but all content is free to access under MIT's open license, and the course remains a standard reference point for anyone learning dynamical systems theory beyond an introductory level.