Dynamic symmetries in nuclei and molecules

A survey is published of the use of the concepts of dynamic symmetries for the description of spectra of complex atomic nuclei and the description of molecular spectra. In nuclear physics the application is based on the interacting boson model (IBM). In molecular physics it is based on the so-called vibron model whose algebraic structure is similar to the IBM structure but whose physical interpretation is completely different (molecular spectra are characterized by dipole deformation, nuclear spectra by quadrupole deformation). The extension of these ideas is mentioned to comprise mixed systems of bosons and fermions in nuclear physics (odd nuclei) and in condensed matter physics (superconductivity). (S.P.)