Informatics and Computing
INF 421 - Mechanistic Ecological And Environmental Modeling
Description: This class will teach a range of ecological and environmental modelling techniques from simple back of the envelope climate models, to simple models, to more complex models, and spatial modelling. We will start by creating a simple climate model to calculate Earth's temperature. Next, we will learn to create and test a simple mechanistic models with Matlab. In part three, we will run and modify complex mechanistic models such as the land model component of a Global Circulation Model (GCM) and the Madingley model, the first global model to incorporate both animal and plant ecology. Finally, we will learn spatial modelling using the Google Earth engine which combines a multi-petabyte catalog of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets with planetary-scale analysis capabilities. The class will serve as an introduction to all of these techniques. Overall, it will be a practical, results driven modelling class that will help advanced undergrad students learn new methods and techniques. Co-convened with INF 521. Letter grade only.
Units:
3
No sections currently offered.
Requirement Designation:
Prerequisite: BIO 226, CS 136, and admission to Informatics BS program