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SOUTH DAKOTA
SCHOOL OF MINES
& TECHNOLOGY
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Syllabus, ATM 515 [Spring 2007] Earth Systems Modeling
Who Where When
Reference Text
Tremberth:
Climate Modeling Systems (In the IAS and SDSMT Libraries)
Books On Reserve
SDSMT
Hannon & Ruth, Dynamic modeling
Hannon & Ruth, Modeling dynamic biological systems
Deaton & Winebrake, Dynamic modeling of environmental systems
Robinson, Modeling dynamic climate systems
USGS-EDC
SDSU
Climate Modeling Systems (In the IAS and SDSMT Libraries)
Scope of Course
Overview
Modeling is the applied abstraction of concrete physical processes
in a numerical framework. This approach allows one to examine specific
aspects of a complex system and predict outcomes of scenarios. In this
course we examine the fundamental principles of numerical modeling and
provide specific examples in earth system sciences ranging from ecological
modeling to numerical weather prediction. Students also will have the opportunity
to develop their own model scenarios using the STELLA modeling package.
Outcomes and Certifications
Students should develop an understanding of the systems modeling approach to
predicting physical and environmental systems as well as be able to understand
the issues involved in moving between a conceptual model to a numerical model.
Students will also acquire a working familiarity with the STELLA modeling
environment and examples of several research-based models.
This class satisfies one of the Techniques course requirements in the SDSM&T MS ATM program.
Math and Technical Preparation
This class makes use of basic differential and integral calculus equivalent
to that presented in second-semester Calculus. Calculus 2, therefore, is a prequesite for this course and is non-negotiable. Familiarity with basic computing is desirable. Programming is not a backbone of this course, but students should be familiar with the concept of loops, decision blocks and similar concepts.
Students will also need to familiarize themselves with a LINUX working
environment. A systems-based modeling approach using the STELLA by HPS systems will be used for most of the course. Students will be trained in the package the second and third weeks of the course.
2007 Tentative Course Schedule and Topics
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Date
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Topic
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17 Jan
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#01: Orientation and Systems Modeling
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22 Jan
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#02: Math Review |
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24 Jan
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#03: Software (STELLA) Orientation 1
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29 Jan
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#04: Software (STELLA) Orientation 2
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31 Jan
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#05: Scenario Design
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05 Feb
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#06: Science Application: Water Balance Model
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07 Feb
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#07: Prof on Travel, Go play in Traffic with the Water Balance Model
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12 Feb
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#08: Causal Loops & Homeostatis (and Predator/Prey)
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14 Feb
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#09: Competition & the Logistics Eq.
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21 Feb
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#10: Endogenous & Exogenous Data & Processes
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26 Feb
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#11: Numerical Stability Issues
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28 Feb
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#12: Feedbacks and Internal Control
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06 & 08 Mar
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Spring Break |
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12 Mar
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#13 Validation and Verification
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14 Mar
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#14: Stability Analysis of Dynamic Systems
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19 Mar
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#15: Chaos and Predictability |
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21 Mar
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#16 Intro to Earth System Modeling I + Business
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26 Mar
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#17 Intro to Earth System Modeling II
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28 Mar
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#18 Biosphere Modeling I
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02 Apr
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#19 Biosphere Modeling II (Simsphere Lab)
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04 Apr
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#20 In-Class Exam 2
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11 Apr
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#21 Atmospheric Modeling I |
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16 Apr
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#22 Atmospheric Modeling II (WRF Lab) |
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18 Apr
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#23 WRF Lab Wrap-up |
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23 Apr
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#24 Ecological, BGC Modeling & RCM Integration (CENTURY) |
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25 Apr
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#25 CENTURY Lab |
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30 Apr
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#26 Hydrologic Modeling and WEPP
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02 May
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#27 Integrated Modeling Frameworks & Closeout
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Grading
Grade Contract Formula
1/3 Homework
1/3 Exams (3 off-line exams, First Weeks of Feb, Mar, & Apr)
* Revised. One Take home (March) One In-Class, 04 April
1/3 Project/Paper
Exams
Take-home Exams will be delivered off-line at a time mutually agreed
upon by the given locale's student membership and proctor.
Paper
In the last weeks of the course, students will do a
professional-quality paper demonstrating the state of the art of modeling
within their problem domain or otherwise within an area of their interest.
This topic must be reasonable delimited (for example students working NWP
cannot choose overbroad developments of WRF). Valid areas also can tie
to the phenomena that must be modeled as well as modeling infrastructures, but all
topics must explicitly involve modeling and modeling applications.
Stella could hypothetically be used for some problem domains (where Stella is
frequently used in operational or research mode).
Papers must be heavily cited (consider this to be on par with a detailed literature review).
Papers must be heavily cited (consider this on par with a detailed literature review).
Be approximately 10-15 pages, 11 pt font, no figure padding and 1.5 spaced.
No cross-course redundancy in the assignment is permitted and will
not be tolerated.
Those efforts that duplicate requirements for other coursework face rejection.
Preproposal due Monday 19 March. Assignment due 1530 MDT Wednesday 02 May.
Distance Coordination
Attendance and Delivery Format
This class is intended for real-time delivery in-situ and via
direct teleconferencing between SDSM&T and SDSU. Attendance
is expected as with a traditional course. Additionally, time-delay delivery (e.g., streaming video and video tape) will not be able to deliver the visual detail of the demonstrations of the Stella modeling environment. The contact period consists of two 90-min sessions per week with "lab-time" interleaved within the delivery period. Anticipated absences should be
brought to the professors' attention as you would with an "ordinary" class.
Distance students will have the Stella modeling package provided via their home institutions. NetMeeting is used to deliver the high-resolution screen pictures required to demonstrate the Stella modeling interface in action. Distance classrooms must have student-operated PCs with NetMeeting and local copies of Stella, as well as DDN or Polycom access.
Linux accounts are being provided for students at their local institution.
Materials Delivery
Exams, homework, and miscellaneous exchanges will be made
via Email, FAX, FedEx, US Mail or courier as appropriate.
Professor Contact
Students at remote sites should feel free to contact the professors
via telephone or email or Skype. The professor is on Mountain Time. Also, identify
all emails relevant to the class by placing "ATM 515" in the header and
CC the email to both professors. For delivery-time problems, the student contacts at each distance facility will have one of the professor's cell phone number.
ADA Statement and Specific Special Needs
"Students with special needs
or requiring special accommodations should contact the instructor, (Bill Capehart, at 394-1994) and/or the campus ADA coordinator, Jolie McCoy,
at 394-1924 at the earliest opportunity."
SD School of Mines Specifically for ATM 515, this course
requires the use of computers and interpretation of graphical computer output,
including color.
Students with RGB colorblindness or other vision problems should advise the
professor immediately.
SDSM&T Electronic Devices Policy
"Please turn off your cell phone before class starts. No text messaging in class. No headphones. If you wish to use a laptop in this class for purposes of note taking, that’s great; however, you will be required to download DyKnow
software and then join ATM 515 to activate. Any attempt to circumvent the DyKnow monitoring system will be considered a form of cheating and a breach of academic integrity. Note that according to “Policy Governing Academic Integrity” in the SDSM&T Undergraduate Catalog, the instructor of record for this course has discretion of how acts of academic dishonesty are penalized, subject to the appeal process, and that “Penalties may range from requiring the student to repeat the work in question to failure in the course” (72-73). No other use of any other electronic/computer media is allowed during class time."
SD School of Mines
Specifically for ATM 515: Cell phones on vibrate only under
reasonable (e.g., emergency) use. Instant Messaging and other
non-relevant, inappropriate and otherwise non-directed internet usage is
absolutely forbidden. You will be given a secure UNIX/LINUX account,
observe all proper security and acceptable use policies. Inappropriate use
or abuse of IAS and SDSMT computational resources will not be tolerated.
SD BOR Freedom of Learning Statement
"Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
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SD Board of Regents
Related Links and Lecture Powerpoints
Contact: William Capehart
This page has been visited 1,085 times since 03/19/2007
| http://www.hpcnet.org/sdsmt/ias/courses/atm515 |
Last Modified: 04/23/2007 |
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