PROJECT TIMETABLE
We are now far enough into the semester that you should have thought about a
specific problem that will become the basis for your course project. Before we
get too much further it is essential that I get a better idea of what you have
in mind, and that you get feedback from me as to the suitability of the general
idea, and as we proceed, as to the specific approaches to be used.
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Event |
Description |
Date Due |
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Preliminary outline |
1-2 pages describing the nature of the resource or ecological problem that you are trying to address with the modeling and statistical tools of the course. Elements of this outline should include: 1) identification of the individual or team of students collaborating on the problem, 2) a description of the resource or ecological problem, 3) identification of the resource or other objective being optimized and the system controls (decisions) that can be varied to effect changes in the objective, and 4) a generalized flow diagram that includes key system states and parameters and shows the connection of these to the objective. |
19 Feb |
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Individual or (if team) group meetings to discuss preliminary outline and to receive instructor feedback / approval. |
24 Feb- 5 Mar |
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Detailed proposal |
Up to 5 pages describing in detail the problem being solved. Must include 1) A detailed flow diagram describing all relevant system states, parameters, functional (e.g., feedback) relationships, and objective function. 2) Description of how literature and /or statistical analyses will be used to estimate key parameters and functional relationships. This will require selection of at least 1 of the major estimation methods covered in the class for application to either real or artificial (e.g., simulated) data. 3) Description of the mathematical form and computing algorithm(s) (i.e., program) that will be used to solve the optimization problem. 4) Presentation of at least one alternative model (i.e., a model whose predictions regarding the impact of system controls are predicted to differ substantially from the "primary" model. |
19 March |
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Meetings to discuss progress / problems. |
AS NEEDED |
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PROJECT PRESENTATIONS (<=30 minute oral presentation including questions) |
28-29 April |
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PROJECT REPORT |
30 April 12 NOON |