System Dynamics, Joint European Master's, 2 years

What will you learn?

With a Joint European Master’s degree in System Dynamics, you will: 

• Master the endogenous (closed loop) conceptualization and explanation of the root causes of undesirable change over time.
• Understand the structural elements of dynamic complexity that drive change in dynamic systems.
• Tackle the inherent difficulties in understanding the structure and behavior of dynamic social systems.
• Excel in the development, simulation, validation and analysis of computer models for policy design.
• Make use of various forms of qualitative empirical research (e.g. interviews).
• Conduct group model building sessions. 
• Apply system dynamics in communities, as well as public and private sectors.

Student life

As this degree is offered by four institutions, you will get to spend time at several universities in different countries during your time in the Master’s programme. 

The study programme is learner-centred; the learning predominantly focuses on the students’ own activities, such as modelling, analysis, writing and presentations. Simulation results provide instantaneous feedback to reinforce learning. Assignments, electronic case studies and project-based learning are used extensively. Performing model-based knowledge elicitation in vivo trains the students in targeted information collection and analysis processes. 

Other teaching forms we use are lectures, labs, computer exercises, weekly assignments, interactive learning environments (ILEs), literature studies and presentations. The study programme is taught in English. 

You are expected to work in collaboration with your fellow students, but in many cases, assignments are written on an individual basis. The distribution between reading and practical work is about 35/65. 

This is a full-time study programme that will require dedication and focus, but it also offers a vibrant student community with informal gatherings and new friends. 

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Career

Our students go on to work in academia and research organisations, international organisations and agencies, NGOs and consulting companies, and larger private and public enterprises. These are typically organisations facing complex, dynamic sustainability challenges.

With this degree, you will have a remarkably wide set of skills, in methods, techniques and tools that reach across disciplines and sectors. You will be able to apply these skills to enhance communication through knowledge elicitation and dissemination, and knowledge organisation and storage, as well as analysis.  

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I feel grateful having had the opportunity to study this programme and cannot underestimate the broader wonderful impact it had on my life.

Olga Poletaeva

Structure

This is a full-time, two-year Master’s programme which starts in August. The programme has two components: a course part (90 ECTS), and a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS). The total workload is 120 ECTS. 

Semester 1: Bergen

• GEO-SD302 Fundamentals of Dynamic Social Systems (10 ECTS)
• GEO-SD303 Model-based Analysis and Policy Design (10 ECTS)
• GEO-SD304 System Dynamics Modelling Process (10 ECTS)

Semester 2: Spring 2022 and spring 2024 Palermo

• Dynamic Performance Management for Public Sector Organizations (8 ECTS)
• Dynamic Performance Management (10 ECTS)
• Dynamic Performance Governance (12 ECTS)

Semester 2: Spring 2023 and spring 2025 Lisboa

• Sustainability Science (10 ECTS)
• Integrative Modelling (10 ECTS)
• Sustainability Strategies (10 ECTS)

Semester 3: Nijmegen

You spend your third semester at Radboud University.

• Computer simulation models and organizational decision-making (6 ECTS)
• Group Model Building I (6 ECTS)
• Decision making and knowledge (6 ECTS)
• Group Model Building II (6 ECTS)
• Dynamics of business strategy (6 ECTS)

Semester 4

You spend the last semester writing your Master’s thesis at one of the three universities at which you studied in semesters 1-3.  

• Master’s thesis in System Dynamics (30 ECTS)

Admission Requirements and how to apply

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply: 

• Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 December)
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (15 April)

All applicants with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA must pay tuition fees.

Study period abroad

You get to study at 3 different universities in 3 different countries. 

Further studies

The Joint European Master’s Programme in System Dynamics qualifies for PhD studies. 

Questions about the study?

Phone: +47 55 58 98 50

Mail: advice.systdyn@uib.no

Study plan

Full list of learning outcomes.