Mathematical Modeling of Natural and Engineered Systems

Catalog description

This course builds from previously studied fundamental concepts to uncover strategies for using math to describe natural and engineered systems that impact the human experience (e.g. infrastructure systems, subsurface structures and networks, bacterial colonies, traffic networks, reservoir systems, etc.) Specifically, selected approaches for mechanistic descriptions (clear box models), data-driven descriptions (black box models), and hybrids of these (grey box models) will be covered: both through an introduction to foundational theory and also in computational implementation. In gaining experience in formulating their own mathematical models for real world phenomena, students will be better able to describe, study, and control the performance of natural and engineered systems in their professional lives.