Laura Hernández

1) Introduction to standard Monte Carlo methods 2) Limits of standard methods. 2.a) The case of second order transitions: critical slowing down 2.b) The case of first order transitions: metastability and nucleation problems 3) Solutions to problems in (2.a): Cluster type algorithms. 4) Solutions to problems in (2.b): Extended ensemble methods 5) Applications to disordered magnetic systems.