This course introduces you to the use of systems models for environmental problem solving. It is designed to help you develop a systems intuition for analyzing the environment. This intuition can be gained by conceptualizing and constructing simple models. It is important that you, as a student of the environment, be exposed to the basics of model building since the use of models has become so wide spread in environmental research and the environment profession.
Environmental systems are inherently difficult to deal with.
They tend to be complex, poorly defined with fuzzy boundaries and weakly constrained relationships between variables. However, with the practice gained in this course you will begin to develop a clearer and more structured way of conceptualizing environmental problems using a systems approach. This course deals with the conceptualization and construction of simple models. This process begins with the development of a clear question and an idea of how a model might help you gain a greater understanding of a particular environmental problem. With an established objective, you can then begin to map out what you feel are the critical components of the system.