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System Dynamics, Master's, 2 years

In our complex world, facing numerous sustainability, resilience, and security challenges, appropriate theories, methods, and tools are essential. System dynamics, a model-based approach, explores the dynamics of complex systems, enabling us to understand change and identify leverage points for solutions. The approach also allows us to design effective learning and communication tools.
  • TuitionFor non eu/eea citizens
  • Years2 Years
  • Intake25
  • Grade requirementsMinimum C
  • LanguageEnglish
  • ECTS120
  • StartAutumn

Main content

Welcome to the information meeting about the Master's Programme in System Dynamics at the faculty of Sosial Sciences.

Time:

  • March 20, 2pm Bergen time

Link to Zoom meeting

Since the autumn 2022 semester, the master programme in System Dynamics has offered a distance learning-, as well as a campus programme, for all students. Note that if you are admitted to the distance learning programme, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will not grant you a residence permit based on studies.

What will you learn? 

With a master’s degree in system dynamics, you will: 

  • Master the endogenous (closed loop) conceptualization and explanation of the root causes of undesirable change over time. 
  • Understand the structural elements of dynamic complexity that drive change in dynamic systems. 
  • Tackle the inherent difficulties in understanding the structure and behavior of dynamic social systems. 
  • Excel in the development, simulation, validation and analysis of computer models for policy design. 
  • Engage clients and communities in problem identification and policy design. 
  • Lead the building and implementation of interactive simulators as learning and experimentation platforms. 
  • Applysystem dynamics in communities, as well aspublic and private sectors, addressingsustainability, resilience, and security problems. 

This master’s degree empowers you to develop computer models that represent cause-and-effect structures. Through simulation, you explore the behavior space of your model and assess consequences and long-term impacts of interventions, avoiding misconceptions and conflicts. You will also learn to enhance acceptance of proposed interventions, assess uncertainty and sensitivity, and thus gain the skills for impactful decision-support. 

Student life

This is a full-time study that will require dedication and focus with quantitative as well as qualitative skills, but it also offers a vibrant student community with informal gatherings and new friends.

In a typical week, both online and on campus, you will be busy discussing and interacting with your fellow students and professors in and outside of class. There are lectures, labs and assignments throughout the week. We use client-based case studies and state-of-the-art learning technology. You are expected to work in collaboration with your fellow students, but in many cases, assignments are written on an individual basis.  

As a campus student you will spend most of your time at or in the vicinity of the Department of Geography, which is in the city center of Bergen. There are reading rooms dedicated to master's students.  

As an online learning student you will be offered online collaboration forums. The syllabus literature will be available digitally through UiB’s library agreements. 

We offer a vibrant, international student life and a unique program on the study of system dynamics, with faculty and staff comprehensively engaged in system dynamics theory and its applications to sustainability transformations. 

More information on what System Dynamics is 

More information below

Master’s in System Dynamics at the University of Bergen

Produsent:
UiB
Career 

Our students go on to work in academia and research organizations, international organizations and agencies, NGOs and consulting companies and larger private and public enterprises. These are typically the organizations facing complex, dynamic sustainability challenges.  

With this degree, you will have a remarkably wide set of skills in methods, techniques and tools that reach across disciplines and sectors. You will be able to apply these skills to enhance communication through knowledge elicitation and dissemination; knowledge organization and storage, as well as analysis. 

More information below

Meet our alumnies

Structure

Semester 1

  • GEO-SD302 Fundamentals of System Dynamics (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD303 System Dynamics Modeling and Analysis (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD304 System Dynamics Modelling Process (10 ECTS)

Semester 2

  • GEO-SD308 Model-based Policy Design and Analysis (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD311 Analytical Methods and Advanced Modeling (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD325 Client Based Modelling Project (10 ECTS)

The following courses may substitute for a second and third semester course, with permission of the Department:

  • GEO-SD322 Special Topics in System Dynamics, Policy (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD323 Special Topics in System Dynamics, Applications (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD324 Special Topics in System Dynamics, Methodology (10 ECTS)

Semester 3

  • GEO-SD306 Dynamic Complexity and Decision Experiments (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD309 Model Based Interactive Learning Environments (10 ECTS)
  • GEO-SD310 Writing course and project description (10 ECTS)

Semester 4

In your final semester, you write your master’s thesis (GEO-SD351, 30 ECTS). You are assigned a supervisor to guide you through the writing process. You are also included in the activities of the System Dynamics research group

In your thesis you get the chance to specialise even further in your chosen field. 

See our list of previous master’s topics to get an idea of the variations and possibilities.  

If your master project requires substantial, time-consuming empirical work you may apply for the 60 ECTS master’s thesis. The coursework in semester 3 will then be replaced by Master's Thesis in System Dynamics (GEO-SD350, 60 ECTS) in semester 3 and 4. 

See full list of courses

Study period abroad 

In the second or third semester you can go on exchange to Palermo, Lisboa, or Nijmegen. 

The deadline for application is October 15th for the upcoming fall semester and March 15th for the upcoming spring semester. 

Further studies 

A Master’s degree in System Dynamics qualifies for PhD studies. 

Questions about the study? 

Phone: + 47 55 58 30 89

Mail: anne-kathrin.thomassen@uib.no

Study plan

Full list of learning outcomes