ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 36
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The world we live in is made up of countless complex systems, from our organism to ecosystems to economic systems. Despite their number, complex systems have many common structural and functional features that can be easily simulated.
The objective of this course is to study the nature of complex systems and their dynamic behavior under a series of conditions, focusing specifically on mathematical models of environmental systems. The philosophy to be used is the development of models that allow us to understand and interpret the real systems they represent, rather than using the models to obtain the answer to a specific case. Thus, in the practical part of the subject, students will develop dynamic models of various environmental systems, from less to greater complexity, which allow them to reproduce the behavior of these systems and, consequently, understand and analyze the sensitivity of environmental systems to any external impact.
The specific objectives of each block of the subject are indicated below.
I. Systems Modelling Methods
On a theoretical level, the first weeks will be spent understanding and developing dynamic system modelling methods, both macroscopic and microscopic, taking various environmental systems as examples. As for the practical part, it will begin with an introduction to the simulation software to be used, Vensim PLE, and the individual resolution of various cases of macroscopic modelling of dynamic systems from less to more complexity, including the examples previously studied.
II. Modelling of dynamic environmental systems
When students have become familiar with the use of the Vensim PLE software and the development of macroscopic dynamic models of environmental systems, they will be organized into teams, so that each team will develop a mathematical model of a real environmental system, previously selected from the specialized literature. Considering the synergies between the processes that are developed in each modelled environmental system.
Some examples of real dynamic environmental systems that will be considered in this practical part of the subject are:
1. Water resources management.
2. Crop dynamics.
3. Dynamics of climate systems.
4. Sustainable management of livestock waste.
However, the actual systems to be modelled will depend on the updated selection made in each course from the specialised literature.
The subject of "Environmental Modelling", of 4.5 ECTS, is framed as an optional subject within Module 1 "Bases", in order to provide students who choose it with the fundamentals and practical skills of dynamic modelling of systems and its application to environmental processes. Providing an additional technical capacity to the student that will put him or her at a clear advantage to address environmental problems of varying complexity, also considering the synergies that may exist within the environmental system and with other external factors to it.
Given that this is a subject of Module 1 "Bases", the application of knowledge from other Master's subjects is not foreseen; although the prior acquisition of a series of basic knowledge is recommended, which are indicated in the corresponding section of this Guide.
As for its relationship with the rest of the subjects of the Master's Degree, given that the modelling of dynamic systems is a general technique of application to any quantifiable dynamic system, the knowledge and skills acquired in this optional subject are applicable in any other subject of this Master's Degree; provided that the problem to be addressed involves interrelations between the processes that condition the dynamic behavior of the environmental system studied.
The contents that are developed are those succinctly contemplated in the descriptor of the subject in the Official Master's syllabus that indicates: "Introduction to the dynamics of complex systems. Methods of modelling environmental systems. Case studies. Development of the model of an environmental system."
From this descriptor, the program consists of three blocks.
BLOCK I: System modelling methods
Topic 1.- Systems. General systems theory. Complexity. Complex systems. Solving complex systems.
Topic 2.- Introduction to modelling.
Process-based mathematical models: Macroscopic vs. Microscopic. Examples of microscopic models. System dynamics. Development of macroscopic models. Stocks, flows and converters. Interrelations. Equilibrium diagrams and causal diagrams. Feedback. Introduction to the use of the Vensim PLE.
Topic 3.- Basic concepts of macroscopic models of environmental systems.
Patterns of system behavior: linear and exponential growth and reductions. Sigmoidal growth. Over-acting and collapse. Oscillating systems. Examples of environmental systems models.
BLOCK II: Case Studies
Topic 4.- Resolution of practical cases with Vensim PLE, including examples of environmental systems studied.
BLOCK III: Dynamic model of an environmental system
Topic 5.- Design and development of the macroscopic dynamic model of a real environmental system.
Basic bibliography
- FORD A., Modeling the environment, Island Press, 2010.
Additional bibliography
- JACOBSON, M.Z. “Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modelling”. Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN 9780521548656. SINATURA: A220 4 A
- MARTIN J., Theory and Practical Exercises of System Dynamics, 2003.
- MEADOWS D.H. et al., The Limits to Growth, Fondo de Cultura Económica, 1973.
- FIELD C.B., RAUPACH M.R., The Global Carbon Cycle, Island Press, 2009.
- MEADOWS, D.H., Thinking in Systems, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008.
- RZEVSKI, G. & SKOBELEV, P., Managing Complexity, The WIT Press, 2014.
- ZANNETTI, P. "Air Pollution Modeling". New York: Computational Mechanics Publications, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990. ISBN 978-1-4757-4465-1. SINATURA: A222 7.
Other documentation
The Virtual Classroom will be used to incorporate the appropriate documentation of the subject.
In this subject, the student will acquire or practise a series of basic, general and transversal skills, desirable in any university degree, and specific, specific to the particular degree. Within the framework of competencies that was designed for the degree, students must achieve the following competencies:
BASIC AND GENERAL: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG1.
TRANSVERSALES: CT1, CT4.
SPECIFIC: CE1, CE2, CE5, CE8.
Teaching system
This subject will be developed through different teaching and learning mechanisms, as indicated in the following sections:
MD1: Participatory master classes: Expository classes, which introduce the basic concepts and problems related to system dynamics, with practical examples that introduce the student to the resolution of specific cases related to system modelling, in accordance with the contents and objectives of the subject. Including the student's participation in the reading and analysis of a selected text.
MD2: Seminars on problems and conferences of professionals, depending on the means and conditions available: Block I.
MD4:
- Computer Classroom Practices: Interactive classes and tutoring, to be developed in the Computer Room with the Vensim PLE simulator, in accordance with the cases proposed in Block II of Contents.
MD5: Technical visits to companies and institutions, depending on the means and conditions available. Block I.
MD6: Use of classic and digital whiteboards.
MD7: Learning based on problem solving, practical cases and projects (PBL): Practical classes in the Computer Room and autonomous work with the Vensim PLE simulator, for the development of the model of the environmental system chosen in Block III of Contents.
MD8: Individualized and collective tutorials: Resolution of practical cases and supervision of the development of the chosen environmental system model.
MD12: Study and discussion of practical cases in seminars: Discussion of practical cases of Block II solved in the Computer Science Classroom.
MD15: Use of specialized software, databases and web resources: Vensim PLE software for dynamic process simulation.
MD2:
- Conference on "Applications of air quality models" given by the Director of the Climate Division in Spain of the Suez Group (a leading French multinational in the environmental sector). Depending on the internal and external means and conditions available.
MD5:
- Visit to Meteogalicia, the Galician meteorological service, to learn about the environmental models and, in addition, the meteorological instrumentation of this service. Depending on the internal and external means and conditions available.
Competency-based learning
Activity A=MD1 H=MD2 B=MD4 J=MD5 C=MD6 D=MD7 E=MD8 F=MD12 G=MD15
Competence
CB6 A H J C
CB7 B C D E G
CB8 A H B J C D E F
CB9 A H B J D E F
CB10 A H B J D E F
CG1 B C D E
CT1 D E
CT4 B D E F G
CE1 A H J C
CE2 A H B J D E F G
CE5 A H B J C D E G
CE8 B D E G
Grading System
The assessment of the subject will include the following grading systems:
Rating System Evaluation Mode Weight in the global rating Minimum value out of 10
Final examination Individual 30 % 3,5
Work: Analysis of a proposed text Individual 10 % -
Resolution of practical cases (including group tutoring) Individual 20 % -
Environmental System Model As a team 30% -
Active participation in class Individual 5 % -
Active participation in activities with professionals Individual 5 % -
The grades of the work/classes/case studies/model/active participations obtained in the course in which the student has taken the face-to-face teaching of the subject, will be kept in all the evaluation opportunities of said course. It is always necessary that in each new opportunity the student takes the final exam of the subject, which will receive the corresponding grade.
When the evaluations of work/classes/case studies/model/active participations are not retained, repeating students will follow the same evaluation system as new students.
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for the evaluation of the academic performance of students and the review of qualifications" will apply.
Competency assessment
Sist. Eval. A=Review B=Work C=Case Studies D=Model E=Class participation F=Activities with professionals
Competence
CB6 A B D E F
CB7 C D
CB8 A B C D E F
CB9 A B E F
CB10 C D
CG1 C D
CT1 D
CT4 A B C D E F
CE1 A E F
CE2 A C D E F
CE5 C D
CE8 D
The subject has a workload of 4.5 ECTS, with 1 ECTS credit corresponding to 25 hours of total work, with the total theoretical number being 112.5 hours. Consequently, the student's working hours should be distributed as follows:
TRAINING ACTIVITY Total face-to-face hours Autonomous work of the student ECTS
Lectures 14 28
Seminars 0 0
Computer room 18 32
Jobs/Activities 0 2.5
Group tutorials 4 2
Subtotal 36 64.5
Examination 2 10
Total 38 74.5 4.5
Students who enroll in the subject must have a series of basic knowledge that are of interest for their proper follow-up: Numerical calculation, balance sheets and computer applications at a basic level.
Language in which it is taught: Spanish.
The subject will have a Virtual Classroom.
Jose Antonio Souto Gonzalez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816757
- ja.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| 11.12.2025 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 11.12.2025 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.17.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |