FRS 004— Sec. 007 — (2 units) — CRN 73091 — W 6:10-8:30pm— 1 Olson
Using Spreadsheets to Model Environmental Change

Instructor: Kurt Kreith, Department of Mathematics, College of Letters and Science

Description: Many environmental issues are clouded in uncertainty because of the complexity of the global system upon which our future welfare depends. An engaging way to think about such issues is to develop “models for change,” ones that can serve as scenarios for possible futures. In this seminar we will explore the use of a spreadsheet program called Excel to develop such models for change. These models will provide insight into the role that mathematics can play in efforts to understand some of the environmental issues that confront future generations. Students will become proficient with Excel and learn techniques for applying the computer’s capacity for rapid iteration to the study of dynamical systems. These skills will enable us to demystify concepts such as feedback, entropy, and chaos, and to explore the role that mathematics can play in coming to terms with issues of global environmental change.

Format: Weekly classroom discussions of 30-45 minutes will be followed by a computer laboratory session where students develop spreadsheet models. Once basic modeling skills have been attained, students will work in groups of 2-3 to develop modeling projects for presentation/discussion at a final (8th week) meeting. Grading: Students will be graded on the basis of their participation in classroom discussions (1/3), the student project presentation (1/3), and on the quality of the group project submitted (1/3).

About the Instructor: Kurt Kreith is a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at UC Davis. Since 1982 he has been actively involved in mathematics education, including summer institutes relating mathematics to environmental studies curricula at the secondary school level. He is co-author of “Iterative Algebra and Dynamic Modeling,” a recently published text that sets the stage for mathematical modeling at the secondary school level.