Agent-based Modelling

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This course explores how to use agent-based modelling to understand and examine a widely diverse set of complex problems in a bottom-up manner. During the course, we will explore why agent-based modelling is a powerful way to understand complex systems, and how agent-based modelling is being used in various disciplines; from economics to biology to political science to business and management. Complex systems are systems whose behaviour is intrinsically difficult to model due to the dependencies, competitions, relationships, or other types of interactions between their parts or between a given system and its environment. We will demonstrate how to build a model from the ground up and how to analyse and understand the results of a model using the Mesa library in Python. Finally, we discuss how to build models that are rigorous, by performing validation and (global) sensitivity analysis. 

Study materials

Literature

• Please see canvas

Syllabus

• Introduction & Classic Models

• Game Theory for ABM 

• Decision Theory for ABM 

• Risk Aversion 

• Bounded Rationality 

• Validation & Calibration

• Sensitivity Analysis for ABM

Practical training material

• Please see Canvas

Software

• https://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/

• https://mesa.readthedocs.io/en/stable/

Objectives

• Define what Agent-Based models (ABMs) are
• Compare different methods for developing ABMs
• Properly analyse the output of an ABM
• Summarize and Compare existing ABM
• Develop your own Agent-based Model
• Properly report on your ABM (Scientific paper)

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (Ter part B).

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Debraj Roy