This course introduces statistical field theory, and uses concepts related to phase transitions to discuss a variety of complex systems (random walks and polymers, disordered systems, combinatorial optimisation, information theory and error correcting codes).


1. Random walks and self-avoiding polymers, elastic manifolds,

2. Introduction to statistical field theory

3. Percolation, Networks

4. Disordered systems (spin glasses) and combinatorial complexity

5. Information theory and error correcting codes