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Course syllabus - System Modelling in Environmental Engineering

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

MTK338

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Environmental Engineering

Organisation

Department of Engineering Sciences

Ratified

2021-01-19

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2022-06-16
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Books

    Khandan, N. Nimala

    Modeling Tools for Environmental Engineers and Scientists

    URL: Bibliotekets e-bok/Library e-book

    Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press,

    Mandatory

Objectives

The goal of the course is to give the student in-depth knowledge about modelling and simulation in the field of environmental engineering and to gain skills to develop, validate and apply models to environmental engineering problems.

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain concepts for model development and simulations as well as compare different categories of models and show understanding of their limitations.
  2. Select theories and methods suitable to developing mathematical models relevant to environmental engineering.
  3. Develop a model of an environmental system and implement it with an appropriate simulation tool.
  4. Validate and perform parametric sensitivity analysis on a mathematical model in order to evaluate both the accuracy and limitations of the model.
  5. Discuss the relevance of modelling in the field of environmental engineering with regards to sustainable development.

Course content

Fundamentals of models, possible uses and limitations, classification of models (physical vs. mathematical, static vs dynamic, mechanistic vs empirical, stochastic vs deterministic), model development and selection, model validation, parameter estimation, common models in environmental engineering (such as growth and biological processes), different simulation software and mathematical tools.

Specific requirements

120 credits of which 90 credits engineering and/or natural science, and 7.5 credits mathematics. In addition, Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3

Examination

Assignment (INL1) 2.5 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 1)
Project (PRO1) 5 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 2-5)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

AF-skala