Individual-based (or ‘agent-based’) models (IBMs, ABMs) are now a popular technique for understanding how the dynamics of complex systems arise from characteristics and behaviours of their individual components and their environment. Agent-based and individual-based modelling have broad application to natural and social sciences, and also offers important advantages for real-world management.
 
This 30-hour course will introduce the principles and practice of agent-based modelling. Participants will learn how to design, implement, and evaluate ABMs that are relevant to their own fields of research and teaching. The course includes introductory instruction in NetLogo, a popular and powerful software platform and programming language specifically for ABMs.

Instruction will be led by Professors Volker Grimm and Steve Railsback, leading experts, educators and authors of agent-based modelling theory and practice. This course will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, programming tutorials and exercises, open discussion, and independent project work.

Instruction on model implementation will use NetLogo, a widely-used, free platform for ABMs. NetLogo provides a programming language with hundreds of ABM-specific commands, graphical user interfaces, and tools for simulation experiments. It works on all major operating systems. Participants will receive a thorough introduction to NetLogo that should allow them to become productive users.

All participants need to use their own computer (Windows, Macintosh, or Linux), with the new version 7.0.0 of NetLogo installed.

Participants are strongly encouraged to complete the tutorials that are packaged with NetLogo in advance. (From NetLogo’s Help menu, select “User Manual”; tutorials are in the User Manual menu.)

1.       Railsback SF, Grimm V (2019) Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling: A Practical Introduction, 2nd Edition, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J. (Or the first edition, 2012.)
 
(Strongly recommended) Many lessons, projects and exercises will be used from this textbook. Therefore, it is highly recommended that this book be purchased prior to attending this course. Paper and digital versions are available through the publisher’s website (https://press.princeton.edu/europe), and through on-line booksellers.

2.       Grimm V, Railsback SF (2005) Individual-based Modeling and Ecology, Princeton University Press, Princeton N.J., 428 pp.

 (Optional) This book provides a more comprehensive introduction to individual-based modelling in ecology.
 

Day 1

• Welcome, introductions, motivational examples of successful models

• Lecture: What are models, IBMs, ABMs; and why do we use them?

• Group exercise: Introduction to NetLogo

• Group exercise: Programming a first NetLogo model

• Group exercise: From animations to science; BehaviorSpace

• The ODD Protocol: Why and how

Day 2

• Lecture: Design concepts

• Lecture and group exercise: Sensing; NetLogo variables

• Lecture: Pattern-Oriented Modeling: The way to do agent-based science

• Lecture: Software testing

• Exercise: Software testing

• Exercise: AgentSets and subsetting

• Introduction to independent projects

Day 3

• Lecture: Theory and adaptive behavior

• Lectures: Stochasticity and random number generation; Collectives, Links, and NetLogo Breeds

• Project work

• Good modeling practice and TRACE: How to be efficient by being Transparent and ComprEhensive

Day 4

• Pattern-oriented modeling example: The Jamaica coffee farm model

• Project work

• Phase I project presentations

• Lecture: Analyzing and doing science with IBMs – What to do when the model runs

• Project work

Day 5

• Project work

• Final project presentations

• Grand finale: NetLogo gadgets; how to keep your momentum up

• Farewell

Cancellation Policy:

> 30  days before the start date = 30% cancellation fee

< 30 days before the start date= No Refund.

Physalia-courses cannot be held responsible for any travel fees, accommodation or other expenses incurred to you as a result of the cancellation.