Course overview
The overall aim of this course is to equip students with the skills to understand and address complex environmental challenges using systems thinking and systems approaches. Students will learn to employ both qualitative and quantitative modelling techniques, such as systems mapping and System Dynamics, to analyse and manage environmental and renewable energy systems under conditions of uncertainty. Additionally, the course focuses on developing the ability to synthesize computational study results into coherent engineering reports, enhancing decision-making capabilities in tackling wicked problems within human-environmental contexts.
Course learning outcomes
- Recognise and explain the role of systems thinking and systems approaches in tackling wicked problems, in the context of environmental systems
- Identify, apply and compare qualitative systems mapping techniques to complex human-environmental systems (e.g. influence diagrams, causal loop diagrams, stock and flow diagrams)
- Develop quantitative System Dynamics models for environmental systems
- Design structured computational studies to investigate and analyse environmental systems subject to uncertainty
- As part of a team, prepare engineering reports based on results from computational studies of environmental systems
Degree list
The following degrees include this course