GDEV 5390

Modeling People and the Environment

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This course will provide an introduction to the process of building and using models of environmental systems using a systems dynamics (stock & flow) modeling platform called STELLA. Key concepts include causal modeling and the representation of systems as a set of processes, basic numerical methods, model development in STELLA, and analytical approaches to make inferences from model results. No prior coding experience is necessary, but students should expect to make significant use of algebra and basic statistics.

Fees Materials, $129. Fee amount varies; six-month student user license for STELLA is $59 or perpetual student license is $129.

Distribution Requirements (SBA-AG)

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a specific research question and specify an appropriate conceptual model to inform it.
• Develop an operational model using the systems dynamics platform Stella.
• Design and implement computational experiments in systems dynamics models.
• Communicate the assumptions underlying a model to a lay audience.| Evaluate the validity of a model to inform a particular purpose, and communicate this validity to a non-expert.
• Develop and test hypotheses using results from computational experiments to inform and refine research questions and purposes.
• Interpret and synthesize findings from computational experiments with the relevant scientific literature.

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