851-0585-44L  Social Modelling, Agent-Based Simulation, and Complexity

SemesterSpring Semester 2017
LecturersO. C. Rouly, E. Pournaras
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentParticularly suitable for students of D-INFK, D-ITET, D-MAVT


AbstractThis course teaches how to construct computer models of mathematically complex social behavior. Students learn how to use the technology of agent-based modeling (with empirical data, spatial/GIS, and social network inputs) to produce validated, emergent results. Involves lecture, theory, and coding. Study begins with well-known formal models of human cognition, social-behavior and -processes.
ObjectiveThis course aims itself towards ETH students/staff that are either: 1) computer scientists or traditional engineers who have interests in developing a skill for constructing abstract models of social behavior and or large scale models of complicated social interactions, or 2) the social scientist (anthropologist, psychologist, or sociologist, for example) who has significant coding skills but wants more training merging the two divergent specialties. Whether computer scientist, engineer, or social scientist this course will ask the student to learn how to recognize key components in a social situation or problem, develop a mental model of the social process, then become "fluent" in translating those social constructs into computer code for execution and post-processing analysis.