System Dynamics Modelling and Analysis

The System Dynamics method is a problem-oriented method. It builds on a systems perspective where “everything influences everything”. Thus, the method is interdisciplinary where knowledge from different fields is used to describe system parts, where stock and flow diagrams and models are used to describe how parts influence each other, and where simulations show how “everything influences everything” over time. “Everything” should here be interpreted to mean everything that is needed to understand a problem sufficiently well to identify successful policies.

Course content

The MOOC is 100 % online via the course platform Canvas. The course is taught in English, however you can activate automatic translations to other languages. 

Students work with problems of importance for the UN's sustainable development goals such as: global warming, over-utilization of natural resources, epidemics, and price fluctuations. Students learn to formulate hypotheses for why problems develop, and they learn to test their hypotheses in light of various types of data. Finally, models that give satisfactory explanations of problem developments are used to identify and test alternative policies. At a more general level, the course gives training in applying the scientific method to socio-ecological-economic problems, it provides a common language for interdisciplinary research, and it gives training in project formulation and reporting.

The MOOC utilizes a variety of online teaching tools including animations, videos, quizzes, interactive learning environments and simulation models. Immediate feedback to quizzes helps students correct their understanding. Hence, quizzes make up an important part of the teaching material. The tools help you work with models without being a mathematician; although, a minimum of mathematical skills is helpful.

• The course is open for everyone and you can study at your own speed.
• There is no tuition fee.
• You can register and start learning immediately at any time within the spring or fall semesters.
• In the spring semester, the course is open from 10 January until 10 June.
• In the fall semester, the course is open from 1 July until 20 December.
• If you are not able to finish the course within one semester, you can sign up again the next semester and start over again.
• There is an upper limit to the number of students. When the limit is reached, self-enrollment shuts down.

This course requires that you have a certain understanding of some basic mathematics. If you have great problems with the mathematics in this learning environment after making a serious effort, we recommend that you do not sign up for the course.

NOTE: In the spring term 2024 the course is offered as a MOOC for self-study only; there is no exam and you will not earn any course credit. However, on the last page of the course, there is a certificate that you may print out and use for what it is worth. To reach the last page you have to go through the entire course, page by page, and assignment by assignment.

How to get access?

To self-enroll to the course, there are two different paths: 

1. If you are a member of the System Dynamics Society (SDS), you may enroll the course here. Use your email address and your SDS password to enroll.
2. If you are NOT a member of the SDS, you must first register here. Fill in your name, email address, and create a password. That is all you need to fill in. You do not become a member of the SDS, and it will not cost you anything. Once you are registered, you may enroll the course here 

Important: Before you start working, create a bookmark to the home page of the course to make it easy to connect when you later return to the course.

You may also want to consider other MOOCs that use systems thinking to deal with the UN Sustainable Development Goals? See available MOOCs here