Fundamentals of System Dynamics
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- GEO-SD302
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
This course 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 may be needed. Students learn to recognize typical problem behaviors of dynamic systems, exemplified by global warming, over-utilization of natural resources, epidemics, price fluctuations, among other problems of importance for sustainable development goals. Students learn to formulate hypotheses for why problems develop, and they learn to represent their hypotheses in simulation models to test their hypotheses. So as to build and analyze their simulation models, student learn the fundamental system structures and their dynamics. 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.
Learning Outcomes
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
- Knows the fundamentals of system dynamics, as a model-based approach to dynamically complex problems with an endogenous focus.
- Is able to characterize dynamic problems of systemic nature and understand the structure and behavior distinction in dynamic systems.
- Can assess causality, feedback causality and fundamentals of causal model building.
- Knows the fundamental tools for systems thinking and modeling, such as causal loop diagrams, and stocks and flows.
- Understands stocks, flows and their dynamics, and the structure and behavior of simple dynamic feedback systems.
Skills
The student
- can characterize dynamic behavior patterns;
- is able to assess causality versus correlation;
- can build conceptual models with endogenous focus;
- discerns stocks, flows and their dynamics;
- is able to analyse the structure behavior relationship of simple feedback structures;
- is able to build and run simple models on computer simulation platforms;
- can perform basic validation and sensitivity tests on computer simulation models;
- can apply simple model structures on to real life phenomena pertaining to sustainable development goals, build and run models on computer simulation platforms for model-based experimentation.
General competence
The student
- adopts a systems view on concurrent, pressing change in a complex world;
- understands system dynamics as a systems approach to address pressing dynamic problems;
- understands system dynamics as an approach to problems of systemic feedback nature;
- understands system dynamics as a scientific method to learn about, understand and control change over time.
- is able to frame concerns pertaining to sustainable development goals, such as environment, climate, resources, health and human well-being as systems problems.
ECTS Credits
10 ECTS
Level of Study
Master
Semester of Instruction
Autumn
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Prospective students should check that they understand what a mathematical function is and how it can be exposed in a graph. Students do not need knowledge of complex mathematical methods of analysis.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
- GEO-SD230 (5 ECTS)
- GEO-SD662 (10 ECTS)
Access to the Course
Open for all students at the Univesity of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods
The course consists of video streamed lectures and lab (activity sessions). Students read the assigned materials and watch the assigned videos before joining the lectures. The lectures make in depth discussion of the assigned materials. Learning is reinforced during the activity sessions, where students work on assigned problems with peer and instructor mentoring. There are 12 lectures (three-hours each) and 12 lab/activity sessions (three hours each) over a 6-week period.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Four weekly assignments
Forms of Assessment
5 hour take home exam
The exam assignment will be given in the language of instruction in the course.
The exam answer must be submitted in the same language as the exam assignment.
Grading Scale
An ECTS grade is provided to the student at the end of the course according to the A-F scale.
Assessment Semester
Autumn.
A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to § 5-5. If there is a retake exam for students with valid absence, all students with valid compulsory activity can sign up for the retake exam.
Reading List
The reading list will be ready before 1 July for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses
Course Administrator
The Department of Geography at the Faculty of Social Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course and the study programme.