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10 th Edition
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Tel. (34) 93 112 0901 |
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| System Dynamics | |
| Diploma | Postgraduate Official Certificate |
| For: | Undergraduate and Graduate Students and Professionals |
| Course contents | The theory of model construction is explained through the extensive use of study cases. It's an easy and fast way of learning to build simulation models, with excellent learning quality. |
| Documentation | Student's Web and CD ROM |
| Software | Vensim PLE 5.0 simulation software is delivered |
| Used for | Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Leadership Development, Strategic Marketing and Sales, Organization Redesign, Process Improvement, Implementation of operational plans. In general to build and sustain high performance over the long term, and ensure successful implementation of changes. |
| Dates | Each student begins the course and is coached independently, on his own schedule. Effort: 50 hours. |
| Administration | Information: Juan Martin jmarting@catunesco.upc.edu Administration:Sandra Soler sandra.soler-garcia@fundacio.upc.edu Tel. (34) 93 112 0901 Fundació U.P.C. c/Badajoz 73 - 08005 Barcelona Spain |
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
The Politechnic University of Catalonia - UPC - has a solid reputation in higher learning and research, and is a dynamic university in constant evolution. As such, the University offers internet-based courses to serve English-speaking students who are interested in taking courses from the Politechnic University of Catalonia.
Courses via the Internet are an excellent opportunity to access postgraduate education, as the student may access the course on the student's own time, at his own pace, and minimizing the loss of work hours.
Additionally, it has been noted that this course, in its internet mode, gives excellent results because the student is very closely monitored in his learning process by the course instructor.
The student receives the documentation of the course and the simulation software Vensim PLE at home. Throughout his progress in the course, he receives by e-mail instruction with study cases and exercises to complete. The student then submits the models he creates to the instructor by e-mail. The instructor is available to the student in this capacity for any help the student needs during his studies.
Because of this very close relationship between the instructor and the student his evaluation is continuously monitored through the completion of the different exercises and study cases.
Juan Martín García , Ph. D. Industrial Engineer. Diplomated in the Sloan School of Management of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ). His specialization on System Dynamics during more than 20 years allows him to offer a double vision: theoretical and practical. Other contributing professors to this course include Jordi Morató, which is the Director of the UNESCO - Sustainable Developement Department of the UPC.
Member of the System Dynamics Society Conference Paper Review Committee.
This course allows the student to acquire, in a time-efficient and uncomplicated manner, knowledge in the formation and construction of dynamic models. Many times, the models are performed with minimal current data and very few historical data. The simulation models that the student will design in this course accommodate these analyses, with the construction of realistic hypotheses and elaborate behavior models.
That's done with the help of software that facilitates the construction of the models as well as performing model simulations. (Software is available for Windows and Mac computers.)
At the end of the course, the student is able to:
1. Describe the components of a complex system.
2. Diagnose the natural evolution of the system under analysis.
3. Create a model of the system and present it using the simulation software.
4. Carry out simulations with the model, in order to predict the behavior of the system."
First, the basic structures of the systems and more common dynamics are presented. Next, the phases in the construction of a model are studied. Last, using study cases, the student is taught how to model with the software and simulate different alternatives.
- SYSTEM DYNAMICS
- Causal diagrams
- Stable, unstable and oscillant systems
- Medium term dynamics
- CONSTRUCTION OF A MODEL
- Diagramming the flows
- Phases in the construction of a model
- Computer simulations
- STUDY CASES
- INTRODUCTION
Using the software.
- SIMPLE SYSTEM
Foreseen behavior and behavior in the model.
- PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY
From the text description to the model.
Using Tables in non-linear relations.
Using Delays in the models.
- PROJECT DYNAMICS
Building a model in phases.
The measurement units help us.
Uso de las Funciones Lógicas.
- SHORT TERM vs. LONG TERM POLICIES
Studies in soft defined environments. To extract the data.
Importance of the horizon of the simulation.
Simulating different management styles.
- COMMODITY CYCLE
To integrate several submodels in a bigger one.
The cause of the oscillations.
Explanation of the results.- OPTIONAL EXERCISES
- The Tank
- Emissions of CO2
- The Dynamics of a Segmented Population
The documentation is available in the Student's Web and contains all the theoretical explanations and the study cases around which the course is based.
Additionally, you will receive a CD-ROM which contains the software for building and simulating models (VENSIM PLE) together with demo versions of other similar software: ITHINK and STELLA.
The CD also contains more than 250 works and articles on this methodology, including text and graphs, that allow the student to go deeper in the aspects of the course he/she is more interested.
A bibliographical listing is also included, as well as a description of other simulation software that exists, newsgroups, and internet addresses with models. Finally, several employment opportunities of consulting companies are included for the student's benefit. RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Theory and Practical Exercises of System Dynamics. ISBN 84-609-9804-5 See the book
The total cost of the course is 360 euros.
This course is intended for undergraduate and graduate students with or without professional experience.
Only basic computer skills are needed. No statistical or specific mathematical education is required.
The content of this course can be applied in many areas. In the business world, these topics are mainly used to address issues related to Strategic Plannig, Business Planning, Leadership Developement, Strategic Marketing and Sales, Organization Redesign, Process Improvement, Implementation of operational plans. In general to build and sustain high performance over the long term, and ensure successful implementation of changes.
In the academic world, these topics may be used to develop Final Projects or Doctorate, theses on diverse subjects.
Until now, the students of this courses did come from more than 50 different countries all around the world: 
H O W ... T O ... R E G I S T E R
System Dynamics
Fundacion Politecnica de Cataluña - Badajoz 73, 08005 Barcelona Spain - Tel. (34) 93 112 0901 - jmarting@catunesco.upc.edu
