[ BENG 5613 (Modeling) Course Syllabus]
[Promotional Brochure for BENG 5613 “modeling” course]
FORMAL COURSE TITLE: BENG/OMGT (Cross-listed) 5613: Simulation Modeling of Biological Systems
COURSE SUB-TITLE: Using System Dynamics to Model Continuous Systems
COURSE OFFERED: Term 1 (8-week format); Spring (Full semester format); and Term 3 (8-week format).
COURSE FORMAT: The format for the course is primarily project-based assignments (no tests or required text) using web-based distance education via Blackboard with some class interaction via blogs.
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: To enable students to develop a comprehensive systems approach for analyzing and modeling continuous dynamic systems of all types to include biological, technological, economic and societal, especially as influenced by policies that are associated with sustainability.
The specific objectives of BENG 5613 are for students to develop the following skills, products and awareness:
- Expertise in using the System Dynamics approach to symbolically present the dynamic relationships among various components of the system to be modeled in a manner to be readily understood by those having different backgrounds, experiences, expertise and perspectives.
- Being able to use the full range of System Dynamics techniques to model dynamic continuous systems through the use of Excel.
- Being able to use the full range of System Dynamics techniques to model dynamic continuous systems through the use of the Vensim PLE simulation language.
- To become aware of the professional initiatives, endeavors, literature and organizations associated with System Dynamics.
- To become sufficiently competent with the use of System Dynamics so as to be able to conceptualize and model dynamic continuous systems, especially those that are related to sustainability and the linkages among technology, economics and societal values.
COURSE AUDIENCE: Those graduate students (engineering majors and others) with the programming skills, quantitative aptitude and an interest in the modeling of continuous dynamic systems, especially as related to the impacts of policy on macro-level sustainability.
SUMMARY COURSE INFORMATION:
- 3-hours credit.
- Text: No formal text is required. Rather, a list of articles written for instructional purposes are be used via downloading from an MIT “open course-ware” website.
- Lectures are all prerecorded and available on demand via Blackboard, and are intended to supplement the articles mentioned above.
- Emphasis is placed on successful completion of two broad categories of modeling projects along with associated reports: (a) the first involves a simple system designed to familiarize the student with System Dynamics; and (b) the second interaction focuses on developing an increasingly complex model that focuses on several aspects of sustainability.
- Excel and Vensim PLE (free download) are both used as programming languages for developing the modeling projects.
- Project-based grading is used along with required reading, instructional video viewing, lecture viewing, and blog interactions. There are no formal examinations.
- No prerequisite courses are required, and interdisciplinary interactions are encouraged.