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Preface (2002 edition)
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This is a book on modeling and simulation of dynamical systems as they are found in various fields ranging from physics to the social sciences. It consists of a text book and a CD that contains a Computer Based Training unit. The latter consists of guides, exercises, and many models and data that should make practice oriented learning a reality. The CBT manual is provided in pdf format (you will need Acrobat Reader 4 or newer, from Adobe) and can be used directly, or you may wish to print it to have it available on your desk. Please consult the Read Me First file on the CD for information on how to install the CBT unit.
Modeling of Uniform Dynamical Systems is the first of three parts that have been produced for Teaching Ware for Interactive Numerical Simulation. TWINS is an initiative by researchers and teachers in the Department of Physics and Mathematics of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences at Winterthur. The goal of the project is to generate materials for dynamical and finite element modeling useful for activity oriented learning by directly using computational tools.
This book provides introductory materials useful for first or second year university courses on system dynamics modeling in the sciences, engineering, and social sciences. The contents are based on introductory physics and system dynamics courses which I have taught over the course of many years at our school, both to first and second year students, and to professionals in engineering, the sciences, and management, who wish to add system dynamics modeling to their repertoire. In our department, we are particularly proud of didactic approaches that have made system dynamics modeling and courses on the physics of dynamical systems accessible to first year students in engineering and in data analysis and process design. In fact, modeling has become a preferred method of activity oriented learning in a number of courses.
Modeling of Uniform Dynamical Systems is divided into two parts. Part I—System Dynamics Modeling—introduces you in a quite playful manner to the how and why of modeling of dynamical processes. It is this part which is accompanied by extensive CBT materials. Part II deals with the Foundations of Modeling. It discusses the structure of dynamical models—including the mathematical structure—and qualitative and numerical solution procedures of the equations generated by our models. It does so without taxing the mathematical knowledge of beginners too heavily. Nevertheless, it may be useful for students to take a calculus course and possibly a course on introductory physics concurrently with the introduction to dynamical modeling. Whatever the mathematical and science background of the reader, I believe that Part I can be of great practical use even if sections of Part II are omitted in a first survey of the material.
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