It is often important to predict the behavior of systems that change in time. Such systems are called dynamic systems. Examples include mechanical systems (for example, the suspension system of a car), electrical systems (an audio amplifier), fluid systems (an estuary and the rivers that flow into it), biological systems (populations of interacting species), and so forth. A wide variety of these systems can be modeled using the common underlying framework of linear differential equations.

The objective of this course is to teach students to model and analyze a variety of systems using this common mathematical framework. This course follows SYST 220, Dynamic Systems I. The first course covered mechanical systems and fundamental aspects of obtaining solutions using Laplace transforms and block diagrams. This course expands the set of application areas to include electrical systems, fluid systems, and other applications; and it continues the analysis of how systems respond to different external inputs and controls. Key questions addressed in this course are: Is a system stable? What are fundamental characteristics of the system behavior as a function of time? How does the system respond to oscillatory inputs? How can external controls be applied to ensure adequate system performance in the presence of uncertain disturbances? How should the system be designed to meet specified engineering requirements?

Textbook: Palm, W. System Dynamics, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill

General Course Information

• Course Overview