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Instructors: Wayne Wakeland; Erin Kenzie
Professor and Systems Science Program Chair; Systems Science PhD Student
Summary: Introduces the student to the study of the dynamic behavior of continuous systems containing feedback. Vensim is the primary simulation language used in the course.
Class Format: On-line, with lecture and lab materials provided via D2L. An optional synchronous office hour is arranged with students that can be attended in-person (if local) or remotely, and is recorded for later listening/viewing as needed.
Course Emphasis:
Building computer models of feedback systems and using the models to study the dynamic behavior of the modeled system in order to enhance understanding, predict how the system might behave under different circumstances, or find ways to improve the "performance" of the system. Such models are often used for forecasting, planning, and process analysis in business systems; for studying growth and homeostatic processes in various scientific disciplines; and for studying feedback control systems in engineering.
The models are continuous in nature, and are expressed mathematically as a set of differential equations for various "state" variables. These equations are numerically integrated by the software package in order to simulate behavior over time. The student's time is spent learning how to formulate, calibrate, and explore the dynamic behavior of such models.
Although designed as a core Systems Science course, it may also serve as an elective course in the Business School, Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, Geography, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Health Systems, and many others
Students will learn the Vensim simulation software.
Required Materials:
John Sterman, Business Dynamics, Irwin McGraw Hill, 2000 (available at the PSU Bookstore).
Vensim PLE software from Ventana Systems, Inc., (SW and manuals may be downloaded for free).
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.