The course provides a foundation in agent-based modelling and simulation techniques for understanding complex systems. Agent-based models (ABMs) work by representing the entities (agents) of a system and their interactions from which system-level phenomena emerge. Examples of emergent phenomena that can be represented with ABMs include flocking in birds, traffic congestion on roads, and spread of infection in a population.
In this course you will learn how to design, implement, use, analyse, and critique agent-based models of complex systems. You will construct 'what-if' scenarios, and implement 'policy interventions', to examine how exogenous changes can perturb the system, and use critical analysis to determine likely impacts of proposed changes.
This is a studio-style course, with a strong emphasis on learning by doing.
Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information web page for more information.(http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631)