Course - System Dynamics - TTK4220
System Dynamics
About
About the course
Course content
Four important elements in dynamical systems are taught: Stock/flow relations, positive and negative feedback loops, nonlinearities and feedback loops with inertia or time delays. These fundamental phenomena lead to system properties like exponential growth, S-shaped growth (saturation), lock-in, multiple equilibria, oscillations, overshoot. Analysis is executed with graphical techniques and computer simulation. The course uses examples from competition between firms and products, decision processes, policy issues in ecology, transportation and natural resources, dynamics of epidemics, demographics, fashion and fad dynamics, dynamics of mass media.
Learning outcome
To 1. be able to understand the mechanics behind how non-technical dynamical systems behave, and 2. be able to discuss, explain and convince colleagues of this. You will be given a philosophy and a toolbox to model and analyse different types of non-technical dynamical systems. The tools are well suited for interdisciplinary work since there are fairly small demands on mathematical and technical previous knowledge. The student will acquire a modeling language and graphical techniques that may be used on diverse sorts of systems: organisations, firms, political systems, social systems. (S)he will learn the (usually underestimated or weakly understood) effects of interaction and time delays in systems, and what policies should be adopted based on such insights.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, self study, exercises. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.
Compulsory assignments
- Exercises
Recommended previous knowledge
Mathematical university-level knowledge is not necessary, but high school skills in math are needed. An interest in society, organisations and human behaviour in these contexts is a prerequisite.
Course materials
John D. Sterman: Business Dynamics - Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Subject areas
- Andre realfag
- Annen fagbakgrunn
- Arbeidsliv, historie og samfunn
- Architecture
- Architecture and Economics
- Industrial Management
- Financial Economics
- Business Econimics and Management
- History
- Idehistorie
- Industrial Economics
- Communication and Information Science
- Mathematics
- Media Studies and Communication
- Media and Communication Studies
- Media Studies
- Organization and Leadership
- Organization Theory
- Political History
- Production and Quality Engineering - Production Management
- Project Management
- Psychology
- Natural Sciences
- Social Studies
- Human Geography
- Community Medicine and Medical Sociology
- Social Sciences
- Economics
- Safety, Reliability and Maintenance
- Social Anthropology
- Sociology
- Engineering Cybernetics
- Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture
- Maintenance and Risk Analysis
- Road and Transport Engineering
- Ecology
- Economics
- Economics and Administration