Undergraduate Course: Ecological and Environmental Modelling (ECSC10007)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Ecological Science |
Other subject area | Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Along with observation and experimentation, modelling is a critical tool for scientific investigations and it is becoming increasingly important in environmental management, from local to global scales. A model is a mathematical description of a system, necessarily simplified and only an approximation to the truth, but designed to describe and predict the behaviour of that system. Comparisons between model predictions and independent data provide a key test of scientific understanding and a basis for refinement of hypotheses. In this course, we will explore the philosophy of modelling and examine strengths and weaknesses of various modelling approaches. Then, using ecological and environmental models based on physical, chemical and biological principles, we will examine issues related to non-linear systems, dynamic simulation, feedback and control and the problem of scaling. The course will emphasise problem-solving and will provide training in mathematical formalisation of a problem, model construction and parameterisation, prediction and testing and sensitivity and error analyses. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| The overall outcome is to develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary for the design, implementation and evaluation of ecological/ environmental simulation models which is an important professional level skill set. Students will be able to interpret, use and evaluate modelling approaches to set and achieve goals. Students will take a critical look at the strengths and weaknesses of various models and will be able to analyse complex associated problems. Students will learn the principles of model construction, process calibration, sensitivity analysis, and model corroboration. Students will complete a defined modelling project and will identify the relevant outcomes, which may involve making judgements where data are limited or come from a range of sources. |
Assessment Information
| Assessed work: Modelling Project |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mathew Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 7776
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Helen Mckeating
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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