REM412 D100 Environmental Modeling
Course Objective :
The aim of the course is to provide students with hands-on experience in the construction, analysis and interpretation of computer simulation models of environmental and ecological systems and problems.
Course Designation:
Quantitative.
Course-Level Educational Goals:
- Develop hands-on experience in the construction, analysis and interpretation of computer simulation models of environmental and ecological systems and problems.
- Students receive theoretical and practical experience in environmental modeling.
- This course is designed for students in environmental science, resource and environmental management, biological sciences, chemistry and other disciplines. The course is designed to prepare students for professional positions in the environmental field and further study in graduate programs.
- The course aims to create a collaborative environment where students are encouraged to support each other in their learning and the completion of the environmental modeling project.
Course format:
Lectures and labs. All classes will be offered in person on campus and also via Zoom for those who cannot attend the on-campus classes. All lectures will be recorded and made available on Canvas throughout the course. Student-instructor interactions are at the scheduled class times. All course related materials, including readings, exercises and assignments, will be available on Canvas throughout the course. The course calendar below lists all class topics.
Course Instructor:
Professor Frank Gobas, Resource & Environmental Management, Biological Sciences
Details on the work of Dr. Gobas and his .
Grading:
Students are evaluated based on (i) 1 assignment (10% of final mark); (ii) 9 exercises (63% of final mark); and (iii) a student-conducted environmental modeling project presented in an oral presentation (27% of final mark). All students hand in their own work and are evaluated on their own work.
Materials:
All course related materials, including readings, exercises and assignments, are made available on Canvas.
Course Topics:
Introduction
What are Models?
Exercise 1: Modeling with Excel Spreadsheets 鈥� Cost Benefit Analysis
What is Modeling?
Exercise 2: What are models and why do we need them? - Population Dynamics
How to build models: Steps in building a model
Exercise 3: Steps in Model building 鈥� Fate of Pollutants
Building Simulation Models: Continuous Processes
Exercise 4: Building Simulation Models for Continuous Processes: Mercury Pollution from Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents
Building Simulation Models: Discrete Processes
Exercise 5: Building Simulation Models: Discrete Processes 鈥� Moose population in a park
Analysis of Model Behaviour: Sensitivity Analysis
Exercise 6: Sensitivity Analysis 鈥� Management of a Deer Population
Analysis of Model Behaviour: Sensitivity Analysis through Monte Carlo Simulation
Exercise 7: Analysis of Model Behaviour: Sensitivity Analysis through Monte Carlo Simulation- Managing a deer population
Incorporating uncertainty in simulation models
Exercise 8 : Incorporating uncertainty in simulation models-Pink Salmon Fisheries Management
Summary of Environmental Modeling Methods; Professional & Educational Opportunities in environmental modeling
Modeling Projects