To deal with living human-centric systems, the fuzzy mathematician, scientist, and engineer, Lotfi A. Zadeh introduced fuzzy sets and systems, from where a wealth of theoretical developments, conceptual pursuits, algorithmic environments, and other applications have emerged.

The idea of this lecture series is to introduce the students into fuzzy design science research. Based on a fuzzy rather than two-valued worldview, this theory does not aim at precise assertions about the behavior of complex systems. Rather, it aims at an accommodation with the pervasive imprecision of real-world by abandoning the unattainable goals of classical theory and adopting instead an approach that is tolerant of imprecision and partial truths.

As a departure from current views, this lecture series presents fuzzy sets and systems as an enabling mean whose impact, contributions, and methodology stretch beyond any specific discipline, making it applicable to researchers and practitioners in business and informatics. The result is a holistic overview of fuzzy sets and systems as a fundamental component of living human-centric systems.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems II – Swiss Joint Master of Science in Computer Science

On successful completion of this lecture series*, the students will have:

- Learned about fuzzy set and systems design and engineering, applied to either business, government, or society,
- Become familiar with fuzzy design science research methods within a group of two to implement a fuzzy artefact,
- Modeled and presented, as well as designed, engineered, and evaluated the fuzzy artefact.

*Note that students can join every semester, even though the series covers fuzzy sets and systems I and II.

E. Portmann, G. Wilke, L. Téran, S. D’Onofrio (2026). Fuzzy Sets and Systems: An Introduction with Cases from Business Informatics, Computer Science and Engineering. Springer.