060333310 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SIMULATION ( 2 Crd.Hrs )

Pre-Requisites : 060332280

The aim of this unit is to introduce to students the idea, methodology and basic tools of environmental modeling. In order to better understand environmental systems, to predict their behavior and to develop effective management strategies it is necessary to bring together ecological, socio-economic and technological aspects of environmental problems. Some most often used tools to secure such an interdisciplinary analysis of numerous factors are system dynamics and process-based modelling techniques. The models can also be used to stimulate consensus-building among various experts and to facilitate more explicit and comprehendible communication of findings to decision-makers. Though different alternative approaches to environmental modelling are to be discussed the course mainly focuses on practical skills in process-based simulation.