System Dynamics Modeling and Analysis

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• Develops reference modes of behavior for a dynamic problem;
• Formulates dynamic hypotheses that involve feedback loops to explain the reference modes of behavior;
• Translates the dynamic hypotheses into system dynamics models;
• Formulates human decision and physical rules including nonlinear relationships;
• Explains the relationship between structure and dynamic behavior in non-linear systems;
• Explains the shifts in the dominance of a system's feedback loops; and,
• Identifies and applies important and widely used generic structures to common issues in different application areas.

Skills

The student

• Applies their knowledge of system dynamics modeling in a series of problems that will be presented in class;
• Recognizes dynamic patterns of problem behavior and the corresponding underlying structures;
• Investigates the turbulent dynamics arising from an underlying, non-linear structure by way of computer-based modeling and simulation;
• Makes judgements about how well a model structure contributes to the explanation of an observed or hypothesized dynamic behavior; and,
• Distinguishes the solutions that improve the system's dynamic behavior from those that deteriorate it.

General competence

The student

• Writes convincing reports of their modeling, simulation, and analysis activities;
• Distills the essence of their insights and present it in the form of system diagrams and accompanying summary explanation;
• Recognizes scientific literature in the field of system dynamics;
• Identifies materials and resources for further development as a skilled modeler, problem evaluator, and policy designer; and,
• Determines pathways for further system dynamics modeling.