The primary purpose of the Center is the promotion of focused research by studying complex systems using nonlinear science. Additionally, the Center supports teaching and service at the University. Its specific goals and objectives include:

• promote the study of complex systems using nonlinear science,
• systematically build on research findings in the field,
• attract talented students with interests related to the study of complex systems,
• facilitate networking between researchers and state agencies or other organizations involved in studying complex problems facing the citizens of Texas,
• enhance classroom teaching through enriching the research environment at TWU, and
• provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research endeavors.

What Nonlinear Science Is

Nonlinear means that the output of a system does not match the input. In other words, small causes can have large effects.

What Nonlinear Science Can Do for Nursing

One reason that nonlinear science holds such promise for knowledge development is that other theories have not adequately explained the following:  

• Why is the natural history of an illness not the same in "like" cases?
• Why can we not make reliable predictions about the future even when we have accurate information about the past?
• How is it that crisis can be a positive experience?
• How do we understand wholeness?
• Why is seemingly random or chaotic functioning in many natural systems healthy and optimal functioning?