Environmental modelling (5 cr)

Objective

You understand the principles of modelling and know what type of data is needed for models.
You can make a simple model of groundwater flows.
You can make a simple model of surface water flows and properties.
You know what types of models are used in different areas of environmental research.
You can evaluate critically the benefits of modelling in environmental research and in studying the state of the environment.

Content

How are models used in studying the state of the environment?
What are the visions of utilizing models in the future?
What parts do models consist of and what data must be available?
How are working models built in practice?
How is the correctness of models evaluated?

Evaluation

Students can
a. use professional vocabulary and concepts in an expert way in different situations.
b. evaluate information sources critically.
e. choose appropriate models, methods, software and techniques according to the purpose and justify these choices.
f. work proficiently as team members.

Study forms and methods

Scheduled track:
You will learn the different ways in which modelling is nowadays integrated into environmental research and environmental monitoring systems. We will go through various models that are used in environmental research, and learn the use of these hands on by doing exercises based on actual data from international databases and/or data available from the Mikkeli region.
You will also learn the workflow from environmental monitoring data from source to final use in an environmental model.
You will see how models are used in solving environmental problems or reducing environmental risks. You will have gained experience in doing yourself a model of a stream or lake and evaluating the environmental situation with it.

Evaluation scale

1-5