System Dynamics Modeling for Public Health Research and Action

Basic concepts of systems thinking and system dynamics modeling will be introduced in this master’s level course. Students will learn how to build and validate system dynamics models to understand, evaluate, and improve upon dynamic problems that manifest in complex systems (e.g., HIV, opioid use disorder, adolescent health, diabetes/obesity, mental health services, epidemics, population models, access to care, implementing evidence-based practice, environmental challenges, and poverty). Through lectures, classroom exercises, and project assignments, students will learn to apply best practices in system dynamics model-building organized into four steps: (1) system conceptualization to define theproblem of interest, (2) model formulation to represent its structure, (3) model simulation to examine its behavior, and (4) policy analysis to identify effective ways to change the system structure and behavior to alleviate/solve the problem. The utility of engaging diverse stakeholders in these steps will also be addressed.

Fall, Spring