BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Agent-Based Models (ABM), or Individual Based Models, are one of a class of computational models for simulating the actions and interactions of autonomous agents (both individual or collective entities such as organizations or groups) with a view to assessing their effects on the system as a whole.
 
In this course, the principles of individual based modelling will be presented. Instructors will introduce participants to NetLogo, a development environment and a domain specific computer language for individual based modelling.

In lectures, instructors will explain techniques to develop, analyse, test and document individual based simulation models. Hands on session will familiarise participants with the concepts: In small groups they will develop, implement and analyse an individual based model to answer an ecological question.
 
Questions will be suggested by the instructors and will comprise applied (e.g. sustainable forestry) and theoretical topics. Every group will present their project and their experiences at the end of the course in a short presentation. After the course the participants will be able to implement and analyse simple models in NetLogo.

Instructors: Dr. Jürgen Groeneveld (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany), Dr. Alexander Singer (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany) and Dr. Nina Schwarz (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany).

GRANTS: Thanks to the donations of former participants, this year there is a place for free at the course for PhD students. If you want to apply please send an e-mail to grants [at] transmittingscience [dot] org including: 1- Full name and country, 2- Short project (maximum 300 words), 3- Letter of your advisor stating if you have any grant to develop your PhD. Deadline: March 31st. Please include the name of the course in the subject line.