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EES 5305c ~ Ecological & General Systems Fall 2010

Instructor:

Mark T. Brown

mtb@ufl.eduTextbooks:

Modeling for All Scales PDF handouts from instructorby Odum, H.T. and E.C. Odum

2001Academic Press, NY

ISBN# 0-12-524170-4Course Description:

A unified systems course in fundamental principles of ecological systems that enables students to

quantitatively evaluate relationships between humans and the environment. The course content is

organized using a systems framework to provide ecological principles and system theory. These

principles and theory are applied to questions of environmental management and evaluation

furnishing students with tools for coping with the complex problems stemming from interactionsamong populations, resources, economics, and ecology.

Course Objectives:1. Introduce fundamental systems and ecological concepts and principles2. Develop diagramming and simulation skills to understand system mechanisms.3. Develop a systems view of ecosystems and watersheds emphasizing the relationship between

human and environmental systems.

4. Introduce the main types of ecosystems, their special characteristics, sensitivities, andmanagement problems.

Grading:

The total grade for the class is as follows: Grading Scale:

Simulation Exercise = 10% 95-100 = A

Test 1 = 20% 90-94.9 = B+

Country Project = 10% 80 89.9 =B

Test 2 = 20% 75 79.9 = C+Project = 20% 70 74.9 = C

Test 3 = 20%

Total 100%

Simulation Exercise

Assignment in Modeling for All Scales (handout)

Country Simulation Project

Instructor will provide students with a simulation model of a Generic Country. Students will select country,

collect data from the literature, and calibrate model. Students will then test management scenarios that will

maximize well-being of the countrys population. Written report is due Wednesday 15 October, 2008

Outline of Country Simulation project report

INTRODUCTION description of the country its main drivers, resources, people, and issuesinclude a complex system diagram of the country

METHODS - brief written methods mentioning: data for calibration, sources of data, table of

flows and storages

RESULTS - Simulation results with a minimum of 3 scenarios to improve population well-

being

DISCUSSION - Integrating results with real world

BIBLIOGRAPHY - include all sources of data for model calibration

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Simulation project:

With the help of instructor and Graduate Teaching Assistant, diagram. program, calibrate, and simulate an

aggregated overview model of an environmental/human system using EXCEL. The model should have no

more than 4 tanks and three interactions, even if you may need a more complex model for your personal

research purposes. Simplification must be by whole system aggregation (not by programming a part).

Make duplicate simulations getting families of curves testing the effect (sensitivity) of factors of interest

(what ifs). Give a 10 minute oral presentation to the class and submit a written report.

ScheduleOctober 6: Systems diagram and equations due

November 5: First draft of project paper due

December 10: Oral presentation [2 transparencies: (1) systems diagram & equations, (2) three

simulation results blown down on one page for comparison]

Outline of project report

INTRODUCTION - the real system and issues include a complex diagram

METHODS - brief written methods mentioning: aggregated systems diagram and equations,

calibration diagram and spreadsheet, BASIC program, EXTEND program

RESULTS - Simulation results with a minimum of 3 what ifs

DISCUSSION - Integrating results with real world

BIBLIOGRAPHY - includes all sources of data for model calibration

Academic HonestyWe, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to

the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines

include: cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy and fabrication. Academic

Honesty Guidelines are available from Student Services. Standards for ethical conduct can be viewed

at: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/stg/

Class attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes and examinations. Students who are absent should check

with classmates to obtain the notes and or handouts that were provided in class. In general,

acceptable reasons for absence from class include illness, serious family emergencies, special

curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, professional conferences), military obligation,

severe weather conditions, religious holidays and participation in official university activities such as

music performances, athletic competition or debate. Absences from class for court-imposed legalobligations (e.g., jury duty or subpoena) must be excused. Other sound reasons may be offered.

Exams

Exams are given on non- class days (generally Fridays). On-campus-students take the exams any

time on test day between the hours 9:00am and 3:00pm. Exams are to be taken in Phelps Lab pick

up from office staff. Distance Education students: Exams are closed book, they must be administered

by a proctor, and students have as much time as necessary to complete the exam (in one sitting).

Exams will be made available to your proctor on the day of exam (FRIDAY morning) and you will

have 3 days from the day the exam is made available to take it. Directions on the exams provide the

information necessary for faxing the completed exam back to the instructor for grading. Grades will

be posted on UF| E-Learning site. Please take the exam as soon as possible but you must complete

and fax to me within three working days (Tuesday of the following week).

Make-up ExamsMake-up exams will only be provided when special circumstances, as determined by the instructor,

warrant them. Students must inform the instructor as soon as possible that they will miss the exam

and the reasons for their absence. The instructor will then determine if and when the make-up exam

will be available.

Students with Disabilities

Every effort will be made to accommodate students with disabilities. Students requesting classroom

accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office

will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor

when requesting accommodation.

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EES 5305c Ecological and General Systems

Fall 2008 Mark T. Brown

Course Schedule

Date Subject Reading Assignment

Week 1 August 23 27

Course introduction, Theory, Principles, Scales,

Aggregation, Systems diagramming EGS - 1; MAS - 1,2

Systems diagramming EGS - 2; MAS - 3

Systems diagramming, Numerical evaluation, Simulation- MAS 6 , 8

Week 2 August 30 -September 3

Labor DayNo class

Simulation MAS 6 , 8

Week 3 September 6 - 10

Equations and calibrating models, flows, storages and time EGS - 4; MAS - 6,7

Equations and calibrating models, flows, storages and time EGS - 4; MAS - 6,7

Week 4 September 13 - 17

Simulating in BASIC EGS - 4; MAS - 9

Simulation using VISUAL BASIC/ EXCELAssign Simulation Exercise MAS - 9. 8

Week 5 September 20 - 24

Simulating using EXCEL MAS - 4, 5Review/ Discussion ~ Simulation. Exercise Due

TEST 1(thru 9/24)

Week 6 September 21 - October 1

Complex Models (Ecosystems)

Complex Models (Humanity and Environment)Assign Country Project

Week 7 October 4 - 8

Review tests ~ Project: Systems Diagram and Equations Due (presentations)

Classical Energy, entropy, efficiency EGS - 7

Week 8 October 11 - 15

Production, yield ~ EGS -8; MAS - 12

Country Project Due CLASS PRESENTATIONS

Week 9 October 18 - 22

Production, yield ~ EGS -8; MAS - 12

Autocatalytic Modules EGS -9; MAS -13

Week 10 October 26 29

Loops, cycles, Series, control oscillation EGS -10, 11; MAS -15

Parallel designs, competition, Webs EGS - 12, 13; MAS -14, 16

Week 11 November 1 - 5

Self-organization, transformity, emergy PDFs

REVIEW - First draft simulation results - (classpresentations)

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