Fundamentals of System Dynamics Modelling Course 2022

Description

Take advantage of this convenient online foundational course about System Dynamics Modelling, taught by practitioners from DESTA Research LLP, a firm located in India dedicated to providing research and consulting services for sustainable development using System Dynamics and  systems thinking! DESTA's course will introduce you to the fundamentals of System Dynamics and Simulation Modelling, give you opportunities to apply the tools of computer simulation, practice modelling with the Stella Software, deepen your knowledge about real-world complexity through System Dynamics, improve your understanding about outcomes of your actions, testing your decision making assumptions, learn how to generate multiple future scenarios under different ‘what-if’ conditions, and develop your ability to think in systems.

• Upon completion of the course and submission of all assignments, participants will get a certificate of completion.

  Course Summary:

• This is an immersive three-week course for those who are looking to learn the fundamentals of System Dynamics modelling and build their first System Dynamics models.  The course is focused on getting the participants to learn the method and make models (individually and as a group). Participants will undergo an iterative learning process – learn, apply, revise, learn, apply and will make 5-7 System Dynamics simulation models during the course, using the STELLA software (online version). Weekly assignments will need to be submitted online. Each class will have a quiz to summarize the learnings. There will be one session each week, and office hours on request. A total of four contact sessions over three weeks totaling up to 10 hours are planned. Additionally, office hours will be held to clear doubts. Participants are expected to put in 2-3 hours of self-learning time every week for completing the assignments and the readings, in addition to the contact sessions.

  Course Start Date:

• February 10, 2022, and is synchronous (Feb. 10 - Mar. 3)

  Course Timing:

• 2.5 Hours on Thursdays (6:30 PM -9:00 PM IST) (IST = Indian Standard Time).
• This will be a synchronous online course, with participants expected to attend the lectures live (6:30 PM-9 :00PM Indian Standard Time) and complete the assignments every week.

 

• The schedule for the course is live on the DESTA courses page. Do keep checking this page as they will keep updating it regularly. DESTA will also send a calendar block for the dates and times specified.

 

• English, taught in Indian Standard Time Zone

  Course Objectives:

• Gain the foundational knowledge of systems thinking and System Dynamics modelling
• Introduce the building blocks of System Dynamics
• Create System Dynamics models using STELLA software
• Demonstrate the real-world applicability of System Dynamics modelling

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:

• Identify feedback loops, stocks and flows in the real world
• Develop simple System Dynamics simulation models on STELLA
• Understand how to use System Dynamics models for building scenarios

Content:

• Session 1: Introduction to System Dynamics
  • Course Overview
  • Introduction to Systems Thinking and System Dynamics
  • Building Blocks of System Dynamics
  • Thinking in Stocks and Flows- Group Exercise and Simulation
  • Class Quiz
  • Weekly Assignment
• Session 2: Linear and Feedback Thinking
  • Discussion on Weekly Assignment
  • Linear and Feedback Thinking
  • Modelling on STELLA
  • Class Quiz
  • Weekly Assignment
• Session 3: Developing Simulation Models
  • Discussion on Weekly Assignment
  • Developing System Dynamics Model of Population Dynamics
  • Sensitivity Runs and Scenarios
  • Boundary Conditions
  • Class Quiz
  • Weekly Assignment
• Session 4: Policy Testing & Real World Application
  • Discussion on Weekly Assignment
  • Thinking Endogenously: Non-Linear Impact Functions and Shifting Loop Dominance
  • Developing System Dynamics Model for Policy Testing – Group Simulation Challenge
  • Real-World Applications of System Dynamics
  • Closing

  Course Features:

• Google Classrooms will be used to host the course and Zoom will be used for the live classes.
• Students will be given weekly assignments to submit online prior to the next class
• There will be one session each week and by request office hours for clearing doubts/addressing questions
• A total of 4 contact sessions over 3 weeks totaling up to 10 hours are planned
• Participants are expected to put in 2-3 hours of self-learning time every week in addition to the contact sessions

  Cohort Size:

• 15 participants maximum

  Instructors:

• Mahir Mathur, Founder Director of DESTA Research LLP
  • Mihir is an interdisciplinary researcher working on sustainability and climate change issues with an aim to develop systemic solutions. His expertise is in Systems Thinking, System Dynamics Modeling, Group Model Building, Climate Change Adaptation and Natural Resource Management. Mihir began his career in banking and stock markets, and moved into the world of sustainability research in 2009. He worked in the Climate Change Adaptation Programme of Watershed Organisation Trust, Pune, before moving to TERI, New Delhi. Mihir did his BCom from MS University, Vadodara and Post-Graduation in Finance from SCMLD. Currently he is a visiting faculty for systems thinking at Tata Institute for Social Sciences Hyderabad, Indian School of Development Management, Noida, School for International Training, Jaipur, India Leaders for Social Sector, Ashoka University& India Fellows, Delhi. He has written book chapters, journal papers and presented his work at several conferences worldwide. More about his work could be found at  https://mihirsmusings.wordpress.com/
• Kabir Sharma, Founder Director of DESTA Research LLP
  • Kabir graduated in Physics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and completed a dual Master’s in Nuclear Physics and Engineering from the University of Paris and University of Delhi in 2013. He worked at the Atomic Energy Commission in France on simulation modelling before shifting focus to modelling energy, environment and sustainable development. He has held research and consulting positions with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Ashoka Trust for Research on Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, and field-research positions with Centre for Policy Research (CPR), American India Foundation and Mazdoor Kissan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS). He has applied systems thinking and System Dynamics simulation modelling to systems ranging from urban systems to energy systems to coupled social-ecological systems.

  Please write to us at office@systemdynamics.org and copy courses@desta.co.in for any questions about the course.