System Dynamics Program

System dynamicists develop and test computer simulation models to analyze causal relationships in complex social, economic, and physical systems. The tools and techniques of system dynamics enable decision makers and policymakers to engage in long-term, big picture thinking that explores the structure and feedback relationships in complex systems and to anticipate the implications of their policies before implementing them. WPI's system dynamics major provides a strong background in the tools and techniques of system dynamics modeling and the opportunity to apply this knowledge to develop policy solutions to complex social problems in a variety of application areas.

Program Outcomes

In addition to fulfilling WPI's university-wide undergraduate learning outcomes, system dynamics majors will demonstrate:

1. Ability to recognize the dynamic patterns of behavior in real-world data.
2. Ability to formulate feedback hypotheses representing problems and understand the hypotheses' logic.
3. Ability to translate feedback hypotheses into stock and flow models.
4. Ability to experiment with stock and flow models in order to establish their fidelity.
5. Ability to design experiments with a stock and flow model, implement them, and interpret their results, in order to arrive at effective solutions that address the defined problems of a system dynamics project.
6. Literacy in the technical aspects of problems in the student's area of application.
7. Ability to communicate effectively the results of a system dynamics analysis in speech and writing.
8. An understanding of basic concepts in software programming and management science.
9. An understanding of how to apply scientific principles in system dynamics modeling.
10. Ability to develop, organize, manage, and successfully conduct a significant system dynamics project.
11. Ability to locate and integrate valid and appropriate information from multiple fields and perspectives for use in systems dynamics models.
12. An understanding of the endogenous causes of societal problems.
13. An appreciation of the inter-connectedness between technology, society, and the environment.
14. Ability to form and work effectively in groups involving system dynamics modelers, appropriate domain experts, and stakeholders.

Program Distribution Requirements for the System Dynamics Major

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students, completion of a minimum of 10 units of study is required in system dynamics, social science, basic science, and mathematics, and computer science as follows:

System Dynamics Requirement	Minimum Units
1. System Dynamics (Note 1)	5/3
2. Other Social Science (Note 2)	5/3
3. Business (Note 3)	2/3
4. Mathematics/basic sciences/engineering (Note 4)	8/3
5. Computer Science (Note 5)	2/3
6. Application Area (Note 6)	5/3
7. MQP	1

NOTES:

1. Only social science courses with a "5" in the second digit of the course number count toward the system dynamics requirement.
2. Must include microeconomics or macroeconomics, cognitive or social psychology, and public policy.
3. Must include organizational science.
4. Must include differential and integral calculus, differential equations, and numerical or statistical analysis.
5. Courses on computer programming and programming languages are recommended.
6. This requirement is satisfied by a cohesive set of work from the fields of social science, management, science, mathematics, computer science, or engineering as specified in the curriculum the guidelines for system dynamics major.