About Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes

This unit is the first in the MSXR209 series of five units that introduce the idea of modelling with mathematics. This unit centres on a mathematical model of how pollution levels in the Great Lakes of North America vary over a period of time. It demonstrates that, by keeping the model as simple as possible extremely complex systems can be understood and predicted. After studying this unit you should be able to: create simple models, given a clear statement of the problem; write down the simplifying assumptions that underpin a model; identify the key variables and the parameters of a model; apply the input-output principle to obtain a mathematical model, where appropriate.