MSCI 649 - Ecosystem Modeling

Fall, odd years Credits: (3) Brush

This course provides an introduction to quantitative ecosystem modeling in marine science, with an emphasis on the process of constructing mechanistic models of biological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes. Topics include the history of these models, the mathematics behind them, the modeling process (i.e., determination of objectives, model formulation, parameter estimation, calibration/validation, skill assessment, and uncertainty analysis), and use of models to address scientific questions through simulation analysis. The course will focus primarily on compartmental ecosystem and biomass-based individual/population models, with additional coverage of 3D water quality models, ecological network analysis (food web models), and recent or novel/alternative approaches. The course will consist of a series of interactive lectures, readings from textbooks and the primary literature, problem sets and hands-on computer labs, and an independent modeling project on a topic of interest to each student. The course assumes no prior modeling or programming experience.