Dynamic System Modeling

This module will introduce the principles and methods of dynamic systems modeling with a particular focus on learning and management of dynamically complex environmental and resource management problems. Specifically, the course introduces the elementary system structures and models with their applications on mass transport, chemical kinetics, population dynamics and energetics in the environment. Useful principles for modeling human decision making, uses of simulation gaming as a learning and management platform, elements of model validation and analysis are introduced. Students interact with a user-friendly simulation environment and learn to develop, test and analyze their own models. At the end of the course, students are expected to develop skills in problem identification, hypothesis generation, model building, testing and analysis for socio-environmental problems.