Note
This is the planned sequence for Fall 2026. Topics may shift as the semester develops; assignment and exam dates will be added before classes begin. The official Wofford holidays are already included.
Classes begin Wednesday, September 2.
Foundations
Week 1 · September 2–4
- Wednesday, September 2: Course introduction and the modeling process
- Friday, September 4: R fundamentals (Monday class schedule)
- Prepare: Read the syllabus and textbook §1.1
Week 2 · September 7–11
- Monday: Labor Day — no class
- Wednesday: Scientific programming in R
- Friday: Accuracy, precision, and computational error
Week 3 · September 14–18
- Monday: Computational error
- Wednesday: Propagation of error
- Friday: Building and evaluating a first model
Dynamical systems
Week 4 · September 21–25
- Monday: Unconstrained growth and decay
- Wednesday: Implementing difference equations
- Friday: Model interpretation and validation
Week 5 · September 28–October 2
- Monday: Constrained growth
- Wednesday: Parameter exploration
- Friday: Predator–prey models
Week 6 · October 5–9
- Monday: Coupled systems
- Wednesday: Infectious-disease simulation
- Friday: Modeling workshop
Week 7 · October 12–16
- Monday: Review and synthesis
- Wednesday: Midterm exam 1 (planned)
- Friday: Numerical approximation
Numerical methods and empirical models
Week 8 · October 19–23
- Monday: Euler’s method
- Wednesday: Error in numerical solutions
- Thursday–Friday: Fall Academic Holiday
Week 9 · October 26–30
- Monday: Runge–Kutta methods
- Wednesday: Comparing numerical methods
- Friday: Modeling a changing system
Week 10 · November 2–6
- Monday: Simulation techniques workshop
- Wednesday: Computational toolbox
- Friday: Empirical models
Week 11 · November 9–13
- Monday: Monte Carlo simulation
- Wednesday: Random walks
- Friday: Writing reusable functions
Complex systems
Week 12 · November 16–20
- Monday: Cellular automata
- Wednesday: Agent-based modeling
- Friday: Midterm exam 2 (planned)
Week 13 · November 23–27
- Monday–Friday: Thanksgiving Holiday — no class
Week 14 · November 30–December 4
- Monday: Agent behaviors and interaction
- Wednesday: Designing a scientific simulation
- Friday: Final-project workshop
Week 15 · December 7–11
- Monday: Project development and testing
- Wednesday: Project consultation
- Friday: Course synthesis and final review
Final examinations · December 14–17
Final-exam dates and times will be added after the College publishes the applicable section schedule.