Bio 103 Lab 11: From simplicity to complexity: homestasis, autonomy ... and randomness
You and your partner will explore your choice of two or more of several models. Most are based on and/or run in a program called Netlogo, made
available by Northwestern University's Center for Connected Learning
and Computer Based Models.
Both the program and the models can be used on-line and are also
available for downloading, so you can continue to explore them on your
own computers if you're so inclined. Pick one of the first three and any other additional model on the list below. Whichever models you choose to
explore, think of doing so as a process of making observations in order
to try and come up with a story to account for how the system behaves.
Report your observations and story in the course forum area. How much can we make sense of using computer models? What role does randomness play in them?
- *Thinking About Segregation and Integration: An Interactive Scientific Exploration Using Models
- *The World of Langton's Ant: Thinking About Purpose
- *Ant Colonies: Social Organization Without a Director
- Wolf Sheep Predation
- Rabbits Grass Weeds
- Other models from the Netlogo library (under Biology)