Course coordinator
Dr Russell Richards
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Systems are everywhere, in society, in business and in the environment. They are made up of interacting components and these interactions make them complex and difficult to manage. Despite the need to manage systems, very few managers are equipped with the skills to do so, which means that today's solutions often become tomorrow's problems. This course introduces the principles and tools of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics and their application to problem solving and management.
Systems thinking is the science and art of understanding how the structure of a system influences its observable behaviour. Complex systems not only contain parts, they also contain interactions. These interactions form feedback loops that reinforce (accelerate growth) or balance (counteract) change. The interaction of feedback loops createﾠthe complex, and often problematic, behaviours we observe. Understanding and managing feedback loops is the key to managing problematic behaviour within systems.
System dynamics is the means that we can take our conceptual understanding of a system and quantify it using 'stock' and 'flow' models. These models simulate material and information flow and allow us to look at the behaviour of systems under different scenarios. When managing systems (be they biophysical, economic or social), these models act as a numerical playground that helps to foresee the intended and unintended consequences of our decisions.
This course introduces the principles and tools of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics. Fundamental concepts, globally recognised systems modelling tools, along with game-based learning (e.g. gamification of models using video game software), are used throughout to provide students with a hands-on and experiential approach to learning about the power of systems thinking and system dynamics.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Prior knowledge of systems thinking or modelling is not required to take this course.ﾠThus students and professionals fromﾠall disciplines can take and benefit from this course.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM3526; ENVM7523
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Russell Richards
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course is designed to help students develop skills for managing complex problems, often across multiple dimensions (e.g. social, environmental, economic) using 'systems thinking' and 'system dynamics modelling'. The ultimate aim is for students to appreciate and internalise that a “system is not the sum of its parts but rather it is the product of their interactions”. The role of managers is to understand why systems behave the way they doﾠby understanding how theirﾠinteractions. The key message of this course is that complex systems cannot be understood by analysing their parts alone -ﾠyou must understand how the parts interactﾠand how these interactions determine system behaviour and the success or failure of management decisions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the feedback processes that determine system behaviour
LO2.
Construct Causal Loop Diagrams to explain system behaviour
LO3.
Use Stock & Flow models to simulate system behaviour
LO4.
Apply the principles and tools of systems thinking and system dynamics
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Mid-Semester Exam (Modules 1 - 5)
|
20% |
30/08/2024 1:50 pm
This is an in-person exam that will take place during the seminar time for this subject (12:00 - 14:00) |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Systems Thinking Report and Video Presentation
|
40% (Report = 20%, Video presentation = 20%) |
20/09/2024 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation | System Dynamics Modelling Assignment | 40% |
25/10/2024 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Mid-Semester Exam (Modules 1 - 5)
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/08/2024 1:50 pm
This is an in-person exam that will take place during the seminar time for this subject (12:00 - 14:00)
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This is a closed-book in-person exam that covers the content of modules 1 - 5 for this subject. You will be presented with five (5) questions and you will have to answer all five (5) of these. You will have 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete the exam.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 100 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
This is an in-class examination and therefore failure to submit has 100% late submission penalty
Systems Thinking Report and Video Presentation
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 40% (Report = 20%, Video presentation = 20%)
- Due date
20/09/2024 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Students, in groups (4 to 5 people per group), are to prepare a report based around a dynamic problem selected from the selection of topics provided within the course. This report will draw upon the first two steps of the Systems Method (Sterman, 2000; Module 2) of (i) Problem Articulation and (ii) Dynamic Hypothesis. Groups will also present their work in a 5 minute video presentation that summarises the key parts of their report.
The target audience for the written report is a technical working group that has a good understanding of the technical issues associated with the problem.
The target audience for the video are managerial-level stakeholders who need to make decisions based on the information that presented to them in the presentation.
REPORT: Groups will be provided with a template that outlines the sections required in the report.
VIDEO PRESENTATION: Groups will prepare a 5 minute video presentation that summarises the key parts of their report. Note that at least 2 two team members must present (but it is not a requirement that all team members present).
PEER ASSESSMENT:
In order to obtain a passing grade in this course, all assessment items must be genuinely attempted and submitted.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission consists of 1 written report and 1 presentation video. Only one submission is required per group.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
System Dynamics Modelling Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
Task description
Your task is to use the instructions provided in the assignment sheet to build system dynamic models (in STELLA Architect software) to answer associated questions. Students will also be required to use an existing system dynamics model to develop a strategy for addressing a problem highlighted by this existing model.
The assignment sheet will be made available on the course Blackboard site. Answers to these questions are to be provided as a written document (word or pdf).
In order to obtain a passing grade in this course, all assessment items must be genuinely attempted and submitted.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This assessment is to be submitted electronically via the course Blackboard site. Submissions via email or in hardcopy will not be permitted. The name of the file submitted should contain your full name (e.g. John_Smith_MGTS7523_Assignment_3). Please submit in Microsoft Word format. Legal Declaration: By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Systems Thinking Introduction Macquarie Island Example Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Systems Method The Systems Method in Detail Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Causal Loop Modelling Introduction to Causal Loop Modelling and Vensim software Activity - Drawing CLDs Exercise - Lobster Game Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Structure and Behaviour of Dynamic Systems Structure and Behaviour of Dynamic Systems in Detail Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
System Archetypes System Archetypes - Fixes that Fail; Shifting the Burden; Limits to Growth; Eroding Goals; Escalation; Success to the Successful; Tragedy of the Commons Exercise 'Sustainable Fish' game (Tragedy of the Commons) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 6 |
General contact hours |
In-semester examination (in-person, closed book) In-person closed-book examination covering modules 1 - 5 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Stock and Flow Models Introduction to Stock and Flow Models and STELLA Architect software. Using Stock and Flow models - building a simple Linear Behaviour Model Building an exponential Growth model (population growth) |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Dynamics of Stocks and Flows Stock and Flow Models continued. The power of the 'goal-seek' model in stock and flow models using STELLA Architect |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Dynamics of Simple Structures Climate change and its dynamics. |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
IN-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Unstructured (Dynamics of Simple Structures continued) Linear Feedback Systems |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Dimensionless Multipliers; Value-add of models The power (and the problem) of including fuzzy cause-effect relationships in system dynamics models using dimensionless multipliers. Exercise - Dimensionless Multipliers |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Material and Information Delays Material and Information Delays Exercise - Material and Information Delays |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course overview - final assignment workshop A re-cap of this course and what it might mean for future work opportunities. Also a chance to work on the final assessment item (Assignment#3) |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.