FREE
System Dynamics Modelling and Analysis Course at University of Bergen.
- This free online course at University of Bergen teaches the basics of the System Dynamics method. System Dynamics helps explain how change takes place, why people misunderstand change, and why so many policies fail to solve problems. The method builds on a systems perspective where system parts influence each other and where knowledge from different fields of study are needed. Students learn to recognize typical problem behaviors of dynamic systems, exemplified by global warming, over-utilization of natural resources, epidemics, and price fluctuations. These are all problems of importance for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Students learn to formulate hypotheses for why problems develop, and they learn to represent their hypotheses in simulation models and use the models to test their hypotheses. For models that give likely explanations of problem developments, students learn to formulate and test alternative policies in the very same models. At a more general level, the course gives training in applying the scientific method to socio-economic problems, it provides a common language for interdisciplinary research, and it gives training in project formulation and reporting.
Description
Do you want to learn the basics of the System Dynamics method and how this can be used to explain how change takes place, why people misunderstand change, and why so many policies fail to solve problems? Consider taking the Free Online System Dynamics Modelling and Analysis Course (GEO-SD662) at University of Bergen (Norway). At the end of each semester there is a 5-hour exam, which gives 10 ECTS at the masters level. Get detailed information and sign up at the University of Bergen site. Course Summary:- The System Dynamics method is a problem-oriented method. It builds on a systems perspective where “everything influences everything”. Thus, the method is interdisciplinary where knowledge from different fields is used to describe system parts, where stock and flow diagrams and models are used to describe how parts influence each other, and where simulations show how “everything influences everything” over time. “Everything” should here be interpreted to mean everything that is needed to understand a problem sufficiently well to identify successful policies.
- Students work with problems of importance for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals such as: global warming, over-utilization of natural resources, epidemics, and price fluctuations.
- Spring Semesters: January 10 - June 10
- Fall Semesters: July 1 - December 20
Course Professor:
Learning Outcomes:
- Express knowledge and understanding about the System Dynamics method and its relation to standard science, operations research, public administration and private management
- Apply knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course students are able to construct and analyze dynamic simulation models.
- Make judgements: students develop systems thinking skills and an intuitive understanding of the scientific method.
- Communicate: the diagramming techniques that the students learn can be seen as tools for effective communication at an intermediate level between imprecise narratives and complex mathematical models.
- Develop learning skills that lead to critical thinking and motivate analysis and learning.
Reading List:
- The MOOC contains all the information needed to do well at the exam. The textbook by John Sterman called Business Dynamics, Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World is recommended but not required for the course.
Level of Study:
- Master, can earn 10 ECTS credits upon successful completion of the course and exams.
Course Language:
- English
- Multiple other languages by the use of the Immersive Reader (written and spoken)
- Stella Online (for free and supported with instructions)
- Other versions of Stella (not provided, however supported with instructions)
- Powersim and Vensim (not provided, and not supported with instructions)
If you have any additional questions about the course, please reach out to the University of Bergen System Dynamics Group: advice.systdyn@uib.no and/or Professor Erling Moxnes: Erling.Moxnes@uib.no
Additional information
| Status | Regular, Full-Time Student |
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