Structure of the System Dynamics Course for Masters Degree Students

Designed and Offered by Dr. Mathias Mbu Fonkam

Part I - Systems Theory

• definitions
• concepts - system, holism, hierarchy, interactions, boundary/interface, environment, complexity
• classification of systems according to complexity
• science and the systems movement
• man-machine (socio-technical) systems and other related system literature

Part II - System Dynamics

• system methodologies,
• causal loop diagrams
• graphing and interpretting graphs of data against time
• thinking skills for modelling systems: system as cause, closed-loop thinking, operational thinking and dynamic thinking
• the STELLA II simulation package: concepts of stocks, flows, converters and connectors
• generation of simulation model and system response prediction and optimisation with the same

Part III - Introduction to Management Information Systems

• introduction
• the nature of data, information and communication
• organisational structures
• management theories
• control and the principles of feedback theory
• computers and MISs
• information technology and MISs