Analysis and Modelling of Agricultural Systems

Code: ZOO10431M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Animal Science

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

Objectives: introduction to systems theory and its application to agricultural systems. Experience with diagrams drawing techniques as design and scientific analysis language. It is intended that the students understand agriculture/production activities as a system, thereby contributing to the consolidation of a systemic perspective on agricultural reality and acquire the basic principles of construction of simulation models via application/use of general principles/techniques of modeling on agronomical Sciences, taking as an example some existing simulation models.

Skills: Know to apply the concept of system for agriculture. Know to identify and characterize agricultural systems. Know to identify and quantify the systems flows. Know to apply the basic techniques of modeling and use existing simulation models.

i) General systems Theory and systemic perspective in agriculture; System concept; Static and dynamic systems; Characteristics of systems; Types of systems; Holistic/modular systems; Representation and symbolism; Flow diagrams; Study and analysis of different systems.
ii) Model concepts; Classification and types of models; Limitations in modelling; Study and analysis of different models; Elementary modelling and simulation with various computer applications.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methodology: Teaching is delivered through formal lectures with fundamental knowledge exposition and case studies discussions.
Student?s evaluation will be assessed by a combination of coursework with presentation and discussion, reports and written examination.