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Title
Modelling with Differential Equations
Category
general
UUID
85ed5215ee47401eb381ea07da179fd3
Source URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/modelling-with-differential-equations/
Parent URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/core-stem-skills/
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T11:26:37+00:00
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Modelling with Differential Equations

Source: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/modelling-with-differential-equations/ Parent: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/core-stem-skills/

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Free

For instructor paced courses this is the length of the course.

For self-paced courses this is the length of the course if you spend the amount of time per week as specified. You're free to go faster or slower as you see fit.

6 Weeks - Effort 4 - 5 Hours per week

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How do populations grow? How do viruses spread? What is the trajectory of a glider? Introduce yourself to the modelling cycle which includes: analyzing a problem, formulating it as a mathematical model, calculating solutions and validating your results.

All models are (systems of) ordinary differential equations. In this course you will learn more about those by watching video lectures  and reading short texts, and more importantly, by completing well-crafted hands-on exercises in which you can practice modeling yourself!

You will also learn how to implement Euler's method in a (Python) program.

In the verified track of this course you will additionally consolidate the new skills with graded problem sets about four other real-life applications.

This course is aimed at Bachelor students from Mathematics, Engineering and Science disciplines. However it is for anyone who would want to use differential equations for solving real-world problems, including business owners, researchers and students.

In the Verified Track, you will additionally:

##### Course Syllabus:

Module 1\ Introduction to the cycle of mathematical modelling. We will start describing a population of fish by a differential equation.

Verified Track: Two practice problems (filtering with sunscreen, mixing fluids) with other real-life applications to consolidate the theory learned.

Module 2\ Complete more modelling cycles by improving on the model and evaluating the consequences. Euler's method is introduced for solving ordinary differential equations. You will run Python simulations.

Verified Track: A new application to practice the theory: the spread of a flu epidemic.

Module 3\ Predator fish are added to the model. How do the populations interact? Systems of differential equations.

Verified Track: One more practice problem (electrical clock) to consolidate the theory learned about systems. - Admission

This is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that runs on edX.

##### Prerequisites

Calculus (1st-order ordinary differential equations), some programming skills are helpful. This course is aimed at Bachelor students from Mathematics, Engineering and Science disciplines.

This course is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Our MOOCs are delivered on edX.org and are open to all. They include video lectures, readings, assignments, and community discussions. Content is free, with optional certificates and additional exercises available for a fee.

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