Modeling and Simulation

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BIOES 460 Theoretical Ecology  

 Lectures TR 1:25-2:40, Lab M 2:00-4:00

  The course will introduce students to the mathematical models that are used to construct ecological theory and analyze data on ecological dynamics, and to the mathematical and computational approaches that theoretical ecologists use to analyze models. Students completing the course will be prepared to (a) Build and use models of ecological systems as a complement to an experimental research program. (b)Read current theoretical papers in ecology and relate them to their own research. (c) Explore current theoretical literature in ecology by taking the (forthcoming) seminar Topics in Theoretical Ecology. 

Mathematics prerequisites are minimal -- a year of calculus and a semester of either statistics or probability -- and all math will be reviewed or taught as necessary. I am leaning towards using Ted Case's new book as the text, supplemented by some current literature and a chapter or two from or Clark & Mangel on dynamic programming models. Grades will be based on weekly homework assignments, a take-home prelim or two, and a term research project. Enrollment will be limited by the capacity of the computer lab (probably Warren B60 or 160, capacity 25).

Topic Outline
1. Foraging theory: rate maximization and dynamic programming models.
2. Population dynamics: exponential growth, density dependence, structured models
3. Life history theory, bet hedging.
4. Population interactions: predator-prey and host-parasitoid models.
5. Community ecology, including conservation and biodiversity issues.
6. Spatial models: metapopulation and patch models, stochastic spatial models, moment closure  approximations.
7. Computational tools: using Matlab for solving difference and differential equations, optimization, simulating stochastic models, parameter estimation, graphical summaries of simulation results.
8. Mathematical tools: review of calculus and probability, elements of matrix algebra and differential equations, series expansions.
 

BIONB 422 Modeling Behavioral Evolution

Spring. 4 credits. Limited to 25 students. Prerequisites: BIONB 221, 1 year of calculus, 1 course in probability or statistics, and permission of instructor (Office: W309 Mudd Hall; phone: 254-4352). This course is open to advanced undergraduates and graduate students. S-U grades optional. Lecs, T R 2:30-4:00; computer lab, 1 class period per week TBA. Offered alternate years. H. K. Reeve.

This is an intensive lecture and computer lab course on modeling strategies and techniques in the study of behavioral evolution. Population-genetic (including quantitative-genetic), static optimization, dynamic programming, and game-theoretic methods are emphasized. These approaches are illustrated by application to problems in optimal foraging, sexual selection, sex ratio evolution, animal communication, and the evolution of cooperation and conflict within animal social groups.Students learn to assess critically recent evolutionary theories of animal behavior, as well as to develop their own testable models for biological systems of interest or to extend pre-existing models in novel directions. The Mathematica software program is used as a modeling tool in the accompanying computer lab (no prior experience with computers required).

BTRY 451 Mathematical Modeling of Populations

NOT OFFERED THIS YEAR Fall. 3 credits. S-U grades optional. Prerequisites: MATH 112, BTRY 408, or equivalent. Offered alternate years. Not offered 2000-2001.

This course will emphasize stochastic and deterministic models relevant to population genetics and population biology. Computer simulations and use of mathematical packages will be an integral part of the course.

BTRY 662 Mathematical Ecology (also Stbtry 662)

NOT OFFERED THIS YEAR Fall. 3 credits. S-U grades optional. Prerequisites: a year of calculus and a course in statistics. Not offered 2000-2001.

Mathematical and statistical analysis of populations and communities: theory and methods. Spatial and temporal pattern analysis, deterministic and stochastic models of population dynamics. Model formulation, parameter estimation, and simulation and analytical techniques.

CSS 620 Spatial Modeling and Analysis

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSS (SCAS) 420, CSS (SCAS) 461, or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 9:05-9:55; lab, T W 1:25-4:25. S. D.DeGloria.

Theory and practice in the development, integration, and visualization of spatial data for resource inventory, environmental process modeling, land classification and evaluation. Application and evaluation of advanced spatial analytical methods applied to environmental systems and databases of interest to the student are emphasized.

CSS 675 Modeling The Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System (also Eas 675)

NOT OFFERED THIS YEAR Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 483 or equivalent. Offered alternate years. Not offered spring 2001. Lecs, T R 8:40-9:55. S. J. Riha.

Introduction to the structure and use of soil plant atmosphere models. Topics covered will include modeling plant physiology, morphology, and development; potential crop production and crop production limited by moisture and nutrient availability; plant competition; and land surface processes as well as model data requirements, validation and scale. Use of soil, plant atmosphere models for teaching, research, extension, and policy formation will be discussed.

M&AE 479 Modeling and Simulation of Mechanical and Aerospace Systems (also M&ae 579)

Fall. 3 or 4 credits. Prerequisite: senior engineering standing or permission of instructor. Evening examinations. Fulfills M&AE design elective if taken for 4 credits. Fulfills computer applications requirement for M&AE students. Limited enrollment of M.Eng. students by permission of instructor only. F. Valero-Cuevas.

Analysis and simulation of linear and nonlinear systems. Representation of discrete and distributed dynamical systems by state-variable models. Time- and frequency-domain simulation via general-purpose languages (such as MATLAB or Mathematica) and special-purpose simulation software (such as Simulink). Selected applications from diverse fields.

M&AE 643 Laminar Flames

Spring. 2 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Laminar flames are of practical importance in combustion systems, and they provide a complex example of laminar reactive flows. This course examines the behavior of laminar flames and the chemical and transport processes involved. The emphasis of the course is on using computational tools to calculate flame properties. The topics covered include thermodynamic equilibrium, chemical kinetics, reactor studies, conservation equations, transport properties, premixed flames, and nonpremixed flames.

NTRES 305 Wildlife Ecology

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: NTRES 210 and background in biology or ecology is strongly recommended; completion or concurrent enrollment in CALS math requirement. M W F 9:05-9:55. E. Cooch.

An in-depth analysis of the ecological factors influencing the natural fluctuation and regulation of animal population numbers. The course will examine in detail models of single species and multi-species dynamics, with emphasis on understanding the relationship between ecological processes at the individual and population level. Computer-based simulations will be used to reinforce concepts presented in lecture.

NTRES 340 Quantitative Population Analysis

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grade only. Prerequisites: college-level course in statistics or mathematics recommended. M W F 9:05-9:55. P. J. Sullivan.

The dynamics and demographics of aquatic and terrestrial populations are examined using statistical techniques and computer modeling. The course will emphasize (1) estimation of population abundance using statistical surveys, mark-recapture methods, cohort analysis, and other sampling techniques; and (2) characterization of population dynamics through mathematical and statistical models representing the fundamental processes of birth, death, growth, and movement. Topics will include applications to aquatic and terrestrial organisms of resource and conservation interest.

NTRES 410 Quantitative Methods In Wildlife Management

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: NTRES 210 and NTRES 305. Lec, T R 11:15-12:05; lab, R 2:30-4:25.

An in-depth analysis of the ecological and quantitative dimensions for decision making in modern wildlife management. This includes population and system modeling for evaluation of management decisions, and quantitative methods for adaptive management. Afternoon lab sessions will use computer-based approaches to reinforce concepts presented in lecture.

ABEN 453 Computer-Aided Engineering: Applications To Biomedical and Food Processes

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: computer programming (ABEN 151 or CS 100) and heat and mass transfer (ABEN 350 or equivalent). Lecs, M W 11:15; computation disc/lab: F 11:15. A. K. Datta.

Introduction to simulation-based design as an alternative to prototype-based design. Analysis and optimization of complex real-life processes using an industry-standard physics-based computational software on a supercomputer or high end personal computers.
Biomedical processes and industrial food processing applications of heat and mass transfer are covered. Computational topics introduce the finite-element method, pre- and post-processing, and pitfalls of using computational software. Students choose their own
term project, which is the major part of the course (no final exam). The course satisfies the College of Engineering upper-level computing application requirement. It also satisfies the capstone design experience requirement for ABEN students

CEE 476 Physical and Computational Material Simulation

Spring. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ENGRD 202, ENGRD 261, PHYS 214, CEE 372. S. Billington.

This course is organized around material failure phenomena such as fracture, plastic yielding, and buckling. Each phenomenon is presented in terms of experimental observation of physical behavior, theories for prediction, and methods for computational simulation. Similar failure phenomena are seen in many materials at multiple length/time scales and under varying boundary conditions. Materials discussed include metals, plastics, composites, concrete, smart materials, and aged materials for historic preservation.