ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 36
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The world we live in is made up of countless complex systems, from our organism to ecosystems or economic systems, Despite their number, complex systems have many common structural and functional characteristics that can be easily simulated.
The aim of this course is to study the nature of complex systems and their dynamic behaviour under a number of conditions, focusing specifically on mathematical models of environmental systems. The philosophy to be used is the development of models that allow us to understand and interpret the real systems they represent, rather than using the models to obtain the answer to a specific case. So that in the practical part of the subject, students will develop dynamic models of various environmental systems, from less to greater complexity, which allow them to reproduce the behavior of these systems and, consequently, understand and analyze the sensitivity of environmental systems to any external impact.
The specific objectives of each block of matter are indicated below.
I Methods of modelling systems
At the theoretical level, the first weeks will be used to understand and develop the methods of dynamic modeling of systems, taking as examples various environmental systems. As for the practical part, it will begin with an introduction to the simulation software to be used, Vensim PLE, and the individual resolution of various cases of dynamic systems from lower to higher complexity, including the examples previously studied.
II Modelling of dynamic environmental systems
When students have become familiar with the management of the Vensim PLE software and the development of dynamic models of environmental systems, they will be organized in teams, so that each team will develop a mathematical model of a real environmental system, previously selected from the specialized literature. Considering the synergies between the processes that are developed in each modeled environmental system.
Some examples of real dynamic environmental systems that will be considered in this practical part of the matter are:
1. Water resources management.
2. Crop dynamics.
3. Dynamics of climate systems.
4. Sustainable management of livestock waste.
Although the actual systems to be modeled will depend on the updated selection made in each course from the specialized literature.
OBJECTIVES
I. Introduction to environmental modelling. System dynamics. Elements and diagrams of systems modelling.
- Basic elements of environmental models.
II. Resolution of practical cases.
- Management of the Vensim PLE software.
- Conceptualize and formulate an environmental problem for study through mathematical modeling.
- Study environmental models of dynamical systems.
- Solve environmental models with Vensim PLE.
III. Dynamic model of an environmental system.
- Analyze and formulate the environmental system.
- Design the dynamic model.
- Develop the dynamic model of the environmental system with Vensim PLE.
- Evaluate the results of the dynamic model.
The subject of "Environmental Modelling", of 4.5 ECTS, is framed as an optional subject within Module 1 "Bases", in order to provide the students who choose it with the fundamentals and practical skills of dynamic modelling of systems and their application to environmental processes. Providing an additional technical capacity to the student that will put him in frank advantage to address environmental problems of diverse complexity, also considering the synergies that may exist within the environmental system and with other factors external to it.
Since it is a subject of Module 1 "Bases" the application of knowledge from other Master subjects is not foreseen; although it is recommended the prior acquisition of a series of basic knowledge, which are indicated in the corresponding section of this Guide.
As for its relationship with the rest of the subjects of the Master, given that the modelling of dynamic systems is a general technique of application to any quantifiable dynamic system, the knowledge and skills acquired in this optional subject are applicable in any other subject of this Master; provided that the problem to be addressed involves interrelations between the processes that condition the dynamic behavior of the environmental system studied.
The contents that are developed are those contemplated succinctly in the descriptor of the subject in the official Master curriculum that indicates: Introduction to the dynamics of complex systems. Methods of modelling environmental systems. Case studies. Development of the model of an environmental system.
From this descriptor, the program consists of three blocks.
BLOCK I: Systems modelling methods
Topic 1.- Systems. General systems theory. Complexity. Complex systems. Resolution of complex systems.
Topic 2.- Introduction to modelling. System dynamics.
Stocks, flows and converters. Interrelations. Equilibrium diagrams and causal diagrams. Feedback. Introduction to the use of vensim PLE.
Topic 3.- Basic concepts of environmental systems models.
Patterns of behavior of systems: linear and exponential growth and reductions. Sigmoidal growth. Over-acting and collapse. Oscillating systems. Examples of models of environmental systems.
BLOCK II: Case Studies
Topic 4.- Resolution of practical cases with Vensim PLE, including examples of environmental systems studied.
BLOCK III: Dynamic model of an environmental system
Topic 5.- Design and development of the dynamic model of a real environmental system.
Basic bibliography
- FORD A., Modeling the environment, Island Press, 2010.
Supplementary bibliography
- MARTIN J., Teoria y ejercicios prácticos de dinámica de sistemas, 2003.
- MEADOWS D.H. y otros, Los limites del crecimiento, Fondo de cultura económica, 1973.
- FIELD C.B., RAUPACH M.R., The Global Carbon Cycle, Island Press, 2009.
- MEADOWS, D.H., Thinking in Systems, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008.
- RZEVSKI, G. & SKOBELEV, P., Managing Complexity, The WIT Press, 2014.
Other documentation
The Virtual Classroom will be used to incorporate the appropriate documentation of the subject.
In this subject, the student will acquire or practice a series of basic, general and transversal competences, desirable in any university degree, and specific, typical of this Master degree. Within the table of competences that was designed for this degree, students must achieve the following competences:
BASIC AND GENERAL: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG1.
TRANSVERSE: CT1, CT4.
SPECIFIC: CE1, CE2, CE5, CE8.
5.1. Teaching system
This subject will be developed through different teaching and learning mechanisms, asindicated in the following sections:
MD1: Participatory master classes: Expository classes, which introduce the basic concepts and problems related to the dynamics of systems, with practical examples that introduce the student to the resolution of specific cases related to the modeling of systems, according to the contents and objectives of the subject. Including the participation of the student in the reading and analysis of a selected text.
MD4: Computer Classroom Practices: Interactive classes and tutoring, to be developed in the Computer Room with the Vensim PLE simulator, in accordancewith the cases proposed in Block II of Contents.
MD6: Use of classic and digital whiteboards.
MD7: Learning based on problem solving, practical cases and projects (PBL): Practical classes in the Computer Classroom and autonomous work with the Vensim PLE simulator, for the development of the system model chosen in Block III of Contents.
MD8: Individualized and collective tutorials: Resolution of practical cases and protection of the development of the model of the chosen environmental system.
MD12: Study and discussion of practical cases in seminars: Discussion of practical cases of Block II resolved in the Computer Classroom.
MD15: Use of specialized software, databases and web resources: Vensim PLE software for dynamic process simulation.
5.2. Learning competences
Activity / Competence A=MD1 B=MD4 C=MD6 D=MD7 E=MD8 F=MD12 G=MD15
CB6 A C
CB7 B C D E G
CB8 A B C D E F
CB9 A B D E F
CB10 A B D E F
CG1 B C D E
CT1 D E
CT4 B D E F G
CE1 A C
CE2 A B D E F G
CE5 A B C D E G
CE8 B D E G
6.1. Rating system
The subject assessment shall include the following rating systems:
Qualification system Evaluation mode Weight in the overall mark Minimum value over 10
Final exam Individual 30 % 3,5
Work: Analysis of a proposed text Individual 10 % -
Resolution of case studies (including tutoring) Individual 20 % -
Environmental system model As a team 30%
Active participation in class Individual 10 % -
The qualifications of the works / classes / practical cases obtained in the course in which the student has completed the face-to-face teaching of the subject, will be kept in all the opportunities of evaluation of said course. It is always necessary that in each new opportunity the student takes the final exam of the subject, which will receive the corresponding grade.
Where assignment/class/case study evaluations are not retained, repeat learners will follow the same assessment system as new learners
For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the results of the "Regulation of academic performance assessment of students and qualification review" will apply.
6.2. Competency assessment
Asses. Sys. / Competence A=Exam B=Work text C=Practical cases D=Model E=Participation in classes
CB6 A B D E
CB7 C D
CB8 A B C D E
CB9 A B E
CB10 C D
CG1 C D
CT1 D
CT4 A B C D E
CE1 A E
CE2 A C D E
CE5 C D
CE8 D
The subject has a workload of 4.5 ECTS, corresponding to 1 ECTS credit to 25 hours of total work, being the total theoretical number of 112.5 hours. Consequently, the student's working hours should be distributed as follows:
TRAINING ACTIVITY Total face-to-face hours Autonomous work of the student ECTS
Lectures 14 28
Seminars 0 0
Computer class 18 32
Jobs/Activities 0 2,5
Group tutorials 4 2
Subtotal 36 64.5
Examination 2 10
Total 38 74.5 4.5
Students who enroll in the subject must have a series of basic knowledge that are of interest for their adequate monitoring: Numerical calculation, balances and computer applications at a basic level.
The admission and permanence of students enrolled in the practice laboratory requires that they know the information and comply with the rules included in the "Basic training protocol in terms of security for experimental labs of Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría", available in the Security section of its website.
Idioma en que se imparte: Castellano
Jose Antonio Souto Gonzalez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816757
- ja.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Juan Jose Casares Long
- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816794
- juanjose.casares [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) Emeritus
| Monday | |||
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| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| 11.13.2024 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 11.13.2024 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.18.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.18.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |