System Dynamics OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Undergraduate Business Management Class on System Dynamics

Published Jan 30, 2009

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Work through the basics of system dynamics at your own pace with 'System Dynamics Self Study,' designed from the outset to be an independent study course. While the course was presented as part of MIT Sloan School of Management's bachelor's degree program, it is suitable for middle school and high school students as well as professionals.

System Dynamics Self Study: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
No Yes No

System Dynamics Self Study: Course Description

'System Dynamics Self Study' uses spiral learning to reinforce and build on concepts from previous lessons during later parts of the program. Early levels start with causal loops and circular feedback, building to system modeling and simulations and increasing the complexity and varying the types of systems being modeled. Students will need STELLA and Vensim modeling software to complete the higher levels of the course. Links to download free versions of these programs are included, and both are compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems. The self-study OpenCourseWare is designed so that students can start at whatever stage is appropriate to their experience. The earlier lessons are not required to complete the later ones successfully if a student has some background. A set of 30 assignments and solutions are included, reflecting the 30 weeks that the full course of study is anticipated to take. The course was taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology by professor Jay Forrester, author of the recommended textbook.

This OpenCourseWare includes study questions, textbook recommendations and a series of 9 multi-part self-guided lessons. For more information, check out the computer simulation course page.

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