MILEN9012 – Integrated assessment modeling
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Integrated assessment modeling (IAM) is a type of scientific modeling that is increasingly common in the environmental sciences and environmental policy analysis. IAMs integrate knowledge from two or more domains into a single framework. In this course we will focus on models that integrate economic modeling and climate sciences/systems. The course involves a general part where the students are introduced to economic models that calculate energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and natural science models that look at the chain emission-concentration-temperature and precipitation. The DICE model, an IAM model programmed in GAMS software will be used. The students will learn how to use and master the IAM tool in lab sessions.
The students will participate in group projects and work on selected assignments. This multidisciplinary course is especially intended for PhD students from the natural and social sciences. It is based on numerical modeling using quantitative relations between key parameters (e.g., between emissions of greenhouse gases and temperature change). These relations are formulated by means of mathematical equations, including differential equations.
Learning outcome
This course will give an introduction to integrated assessment modeling in climate change, and train young researchers to use geophysical and economic information in an integrated assessment model to study the impact of human activities on emissions which again will affect economic activities. In particular the students will learn about:
1) Integrated assessment models, they will get some understanding of
2) Economics of climate change
3) Climate systems
4) Modeling stochastics
5) GAMS programming, and the DICE model in particular.
6) They will also learn about other applications of integrated modeling in environmental sciences.
Admission
The course is primarily intended for PhD students admitted to a program at a Norwegian University of University College, but post docs can also apply for the course.
For registration please contact the MILEN administration, see contact information below.
PhD students from other Universities than UiO must in addition apply as a visiting PhD student. Priority is given to students involved in the MILEN research school.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway. Students are expected to be able to understand how these mathematical equations describe the relevant processes and relations. The calculations are done by the GAMS program, thus the mathematical skills needed to solve the equations are not required.
Teaching
This is an intensive course over five days, September 9th - 12th. The first four days involve lectures organized by theme (before lunch), and computer lab session in the afternoon. The participants will form small groups and select group assignments, on which the students will work the following three weeks. A written group project report has to be submitted. A supervisor will be made available for each group assignment.
Examination
Students are graded on their participation in group project assignments and the submitted group project report. Students will on an individual basis present the completed assignment.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.