CS382:Topics Matrix

This is meant to be a rough draft of an idea Charlie and I talked about: that we should have a n-by-n matrix of different ideas that we want to make sure we hit. Since an n-by-n matrix is hard to display (especially on a wiki!) it turned into a list instead. Once this is finished, we should make sure that at least one unit addresses each one of these topics.

Initial "dimensions" of the matrix:

• Scientific disciplines
• Scientific tools
• Skill sets from the attribute guidelines

Scientific Disciplines

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology (earthquakes)
• Environmental science
• One of the social sciences

Potentially:

• Astronomy

Scientific Tools

• Equation-based modeling
• Agent-based modeling: Netlogo or AgentSheets
• Systems-based modeling: Vensim
• Visualization/visual modeling
• Mashups and Google Earth

Potentially

• SecondLife or OpenSim

Foundation Skills

• Creating a graph
• Interpreting a graph
• Basic statistics
• Estimation
• Parameter sweep
• Data collection

Potentially

• Building a physical model

Thoughts

Some of these should go somewhere, and some of these should be in every unit.

• What data do I need to collect, how do I collect it accurately, and then how do I build it
  • Perhaps one unit where they have to go out and collect data to see how hard it really is, how about modeling campus (rectangle and heart)
• Data collection: sensor nets, lasers

Course Structure

Course Structure - D R A F T

Topic	Unit(s)	Discipline(s)	Skill(s)	Tool(s)	Notes
What's a Model?	Foundations	Generic	TBD	TBD
Using a Dynamic Model	Fire	Forestry	Critical parameter, parameter sweep	Agent modeling, NetLogo
Building a Static Model	Area	Generic	Accuracy, precision, estimation	Mashup	Software and physical
Visualizing Data	Mashup	TBD	TBD	Mashup
Structural Modeling	Bridge	Physics	TBD	TBD	Software and physical?
Equation Modeling	Rocket	Math, Physics	TBD	TBD	Software and physical?
Modeling Society	People	Sociology	TBD	Agent modeling, NetLogo
Systems Dynamics Models	Systems Dynamics Placeholder	Sociology	TBD	TBD
Chaotic Systems	Climate	Lots	TBD	TBD

Some would be one week long, some two weeks. Make these into links to the units when they are in "First Draft" form.