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of the System Dynamics Society

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Studying System Dynamics (SD) is much more than learning a modelling technique: it will make you see and understand the world in a whole new way. Experienced system dynamics practitioners are working in a variety of sectors, from business to health care, from biology to development planning, from industry to the environment, and often inbetween. They apply their modelling and thinking skills to complex issues and provide alternative often interdisciplinary perspectives to advance understanding of the problem and guide decision makers.

There are several ways to becoming a good SD modeller. Various universities (see below) offer Masters and PhD programs in SD. Self-teaching materials are also available [link to Roadmaps]. Although self-teaching materials are useful they are generally seen as an addition to but not a substitute of a good university program. A one or two years Masters program is the way many students today begin their career in SD.

Not in age for a Master or PhD yet? Not to worry: System Dynamics is not only for graduate students. An increasing number of students begin their SD instruction at undergraduate school, high school, or even earlier, and you are warmly encouraged to do so. Studying SD at a young age is the best way to learn how to think systemically, and is not only easy, but can be great fun! For an overview of the possibilities to study (or teach) System Dynamics at the undergraduate and K-12 level, visit The Creative Learning Exchange [link]

International Masters Programs

  Masters of Philosophy in System Dynamics - University of Bergen, Norway [link]

  Masters of Science in System Dynamics - Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA [link]

International PhD Programs

  PhD in System Dynamics - University of Bergen, Norway [link]

  PhD in System Dynamics - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA [link]

Postgraduate Courses in SD

  HfB - Business School of Finance & Management, Germany [link]
  University of Stuttgart, Germany [link]
  University of Mannheim, Germany [link]
  University of St. Gallen, Switzerland [link]
  London School of Economics and Political Science, UK [link]
  Warwick Business School, UK [link]
  Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Graduate Certificate in System Dynamics), USA [link]
  University at Albany, USA [link]
  Washington State University, USA [link]

Research Groups

  System Dynamics Group University of Bergen (Norway) [link] - National Development Planning,

  Cognitive Psychology, Environment Issues and Eigen Values Analysis

  System Dynamics Group MIT, Boston, MA (USA) [link] - Applied Economics, Organizational Behavior,

  Business Process Modeling
  System Dynamics Group University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) [link] - Management, Economics
  System Dynamics Group University of Lugano (Switzerland) [link] - Management
  System Dynamics Group University of Palermo (Italy) [link] - Organization restructuring and growth

  management issues
  System Dynamics group London Business School (UK) [link] - Business Dynamics
  System Dynamic Group Universidad Politecnicà de Catalunya, Barcellona (Spain) [link] - Management

  of natural resources, Environment Studies, Biology
  System Dynamics Group Dartmouth College, Hanover, NE (USA) [link]
  System Dynamic Group Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin (Colombia) [link] - Energy,

  Experiments, Urban Planning
  Millennium Institute, Washington D.C (USA) [link] - National Development Planning
  Technical University Lund (Sweden) - Environmental Studies

  System Dynamics Group at Mannheim University (Germany) [link] - Production and Operations

  Management, Strategic Management
 

These listings are known to chapter members and are recommended, although we are aware that there are more out there. Please refer to the more extensive list on the SDS homepage: [link]