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During the unique programme of Complex Systems and Policy, you will learn to bridge the gap between data analysts and policy. You will use your technical expertise to connect with specialist IT professionals and use their social knowledge to collaborate with other professionals such as policymakers and implementers.
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Complex Systems
    Period 1
    6

    The course Complex Systems serves as a foundation course, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to navigate and address the complexities of contemporary societal challenges. This course ensures that students are prepared to recognise complex systems, understand relevant questions, and analyse the impact of policies and interventions on complex systems using systems thinking. Lecturer: dr. Vítor Vaconcelos

  • Model-Based Decision Making
    Period 2
    6

    The course Model-based Decision-making is the second foundational course and equips students with a comprehensive understanding and skills in model-based decision-making. Throughout the course, students gain hands-on experience in various modelling techniques and their applications in complex societal challenges. The course content covers everything from the classical modelling process to understanding and communicating uncertainty in data. Lecturer: dr. Mike Lees.

  • Challenge-Based Project I
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    18

    The Challenge-based projects I and II are meant as a direct application of the knowledge acquired in their parallel courses. Beyond that, they are the educational field to learn the necessary tools to address specific challenges. The Challenge-based projects provide the change making skills necessary to successful long-term success of the research and intervention practice. Challenge-based project I focuses on applications of computational modelling and simulation and provides the base for the analysis of the overall challenge. Lecturers: Dr. Mary Nicoloau, Dr. Elisabeth Krueger, Dr. Lies Jacobs

  • Behaviour in Society
    Period 4
    6

    The course Behaviour in Society makes students understand human behaviour in societal contexts and its role in shaping policy decisions. The course introduces students to evidence-based decision-making with a focus on behavioural economics and field experiments. This enables them to become proficient in conducting (experimental) research while identifying and overcoming the associated challenges that arise in informing policy decisions. Lecturer: Dr. Jonas Dalege.

  • Governance and Policy
    Period 5
    6

    The course Governance and Policy is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to better integrate data and modelling in policy and decision-making processes to enhance evidence-based policy within a political context. Students learn how to effectively communicate data and modelling results – as covered in the previous courses – into different types of policy settings. They also learn about the limitations of modelling and investigate when using computational models is appropriate and effective and when not.

  • Challenge-Based Project II
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    18

    The Challenge-based projects I and II are meant as a direct application of the knowledge acquired in their parallel courses. Beyond that, they are the educational field to learn the necessary tools to address specific challenges. The Challenge-based projects provide the change making skills necessary to successful long-term success of the research and intervention practice. Challenge-based project II focuses on applications of experimentation and intervention implementation. Lecturers: Dr. Mary Nicoloau, Dr. Elisabeth Krueger, Dr. Lies Jacobs

Compulsory course
Elective
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