Synchronization of oscillators: an ideal introduction to phase transitions

The spontaneous synchronization of phase-coupled, non-identical oscillators is explored numerically via the famous Kuramoto model. The conditions for synchronization are examined as a function of the coupling network. I argue that such a numerical exploration provides a feasible way to introduce the topic of phase transitions early in the physics curriculum. Furthermore, this approach can be used to familiarize undergraduate students with the notions of emergence and universality.