Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Spring Quarter 2012
• Summer Quarter 2012
• Autumn Quarter 2012

William S. Jr Harris
INSC 586
Seattle Campus

Information Dynamics I

Introduction to the concepts and methods of information feedback, systems thinking, soft systems methodology (SSM), and "soft operations research," as well as the quantitative modeling of complex dynamic systems by means of differential and integral equations (system dynamics). Offered: jointly with IMT 586.

Class description

Have you ever wondered ...

• what causes some ideas, products, and companies to become fads that peak and die, while others have staying power?

• why there are business cycles?

• what causes some diseases to become epidemics and others to subside with little effect?

• why real change often takes so long?

• the role information plays in the answer to each of these questions?

This course will help you learn how to answer these and other such questions yourself.

Student learning goals

Develop the theoretical skills to model common business, organizational, and societal problems using the system dynamics methodology.

Develop the practical skills required to conduct computer simulations using such models to gain insight into problems and their solutions.

Develop a basic appreciation of the types of problems for which system dynamics is appropriate.

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Those concerned about the level of mathematics required in this course might want to read what the author of the text said about the level of mathematics required.

Class assignments and grading

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Modified:May 9, 2012