EVR 4869L Environmental Problem Solving
Fall 2004 / T TH
8:00-10:45am / GL 274
Prof. Michael McClain / mcclainm@fiu.edu / ECS 340
TA Lindsey Waggoner / ECS 158
Office Hours: M W
1:00-2:00 / By appointment
Text: Modeling the Environment (Ford): Book Website

 

Syllabus & Grading

 

 

Final Project Details

 

DATE

TOPIC

READING

8/31

Introduction to Systems Thinking & Stella

Chap. 1

9/2

No Class

 

9/7

Stocks & Flows

Chap. 2

9/9

Numerical Simulation

Chap. 3

9/14

Water Flows in Mono Basin**

Chap. 4

9/16

Equilibrium Diagrams**

Chap. 5

9/21

S-shaped Growth

Chap. 6

9/23

Causal Loop Diagrams

Chap. 7

9/28

Causal Loops and Homeostasis

Chap. 8

9/30

Exam I

 

10/5

Material Flow through Systems

Chap.10

10/7

Numerical Steps and DDT Flows I

Chap. 11

10/12

DDT Flows II**

Chap. 12

10/14

The Tucannon Salmon **

Chap. 14

10/19

The Steps to Modeling and Choosing Your Model Topic

Chap. 15

10/21

The Kaibab Deer Herd I

Chap. 16

10/26

The Kaibab Deer Herd II

 

10/28

Oscillating Systems I

Chap. 17

11/2

Exam II

 

11/4

Oscillating Systems II

 

11/9

Predator-Prey Oscillations I

Chap. 18

11/11

(VETERANS DAY)

 

11/16

Predator-Prey Oscillations II

 

11/18

Student Models

 

11/23

Student Models

 

11/25

(THANKSGIVING)

 

11/30

Student Models

 

12/2

Student Models Presentations

 

12/7

Student Model Presentations

 

12/9

No Class - Final Projects Due!

 

 

 

Grading

 

Your grade in this course will be based on attendance, two exams, and a
final project. The distribution of points is as follows.

 

Attendance: 220 points (10 points each for the 22 class meetings graded)

Exams: 100 points each for a total of 200 points.

Final Project and Presentation: 200 points.

 

Total Points for Course: 620 points.

 

 

Final Project Presentation Schedule

 

TUESDAY DEC 7

 

 

THURSDAY DEC 9