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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Systems Science and Obesity by Johns Hopkins University

4.6
stars
199 ratings

About the Course

Systems science has been instrumental in breaking new scientific ground in diverse fields such as meteorology, engineering and decision analysis. However, it is just beginning to impact public health. This seminar is designed to introduce students to basic tools of theory building and data analysis in systems science and to apply those tools to better understand the obesity epidemic in human populations. There will also be a lab in which students will use a simple demonstration model of food acquisition behavior using agent-based modeling on standard (free) software (netlogo). The central organizing idea of the course is to examine the obesity epidemic at a population level as an emergent properties of complex, nested systems, with attention to feedback processes, multilevel interactions, and the phenomenon of emergence. While the emphasis will be on obesity, the goal will be to explore ways in which the systems approach can be applied to other non-communicable diseases both nationally and internationally. Topics will include: a) the epidemiology of obesity across time and place, b) theories to explain population obesity, c) the role of environments and economic resources in obesity c) basic concepts and tools of systems science, d) modeling energy-balance related behaviors in context, e) agent-based models, systems dynamic models, and social network models...

Top reviews

CS

Mar 31, 2019

Fantastic course. Really thought provoking, and well presented. Useful as an intro to systems thinking, and as a way to understand the obesity epidemic in a nuanced way.

PV

Sep 11, 2017

This course was surprisingly challenging and educational. I had little background in system science, and very much enjoyed the learning process!

Filter by:

26 - 50 of 53 Reviews for Systems Science and Obesity

By Samta

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Jul 10, 2020

It is such a wonderful course. Have learnt a lot.

By Galina B

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Jul 10, 2016

I enjoyed very much the materials of the course.

By Morris G O

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Jul 14, 2020

Thank you so much for everyone's contribution.

By Rubina G

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Sep 27, 2016

very informative and extremely insightful.

By JOHN Q

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Feb 13, 2017

FUN AND INTERESTING COURSE. THANKS.

By Musalula S

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Sep 11, 2016

Great introductory course

By SEHA-01424

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Mar 24, 2021

Very interesting course

By Taha M

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Nov 12, 2020

i Learned so much

By Thiago G d S M

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Feb 26, 2017

very good

By Paola S

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Aug 6, 2017

amazing!

By Carolina A

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Oct 24, 2017

great

By Sofiul A

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Jun 24, 2020

Good

By Emayamsavitha

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Apr 29, 2020

Gud

By Rachel A B

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Oct 24, 2016

I very much enjoyed this course because it used a real-world example to teach systems thinking. I also appreciated that the more technical aspects, like using software, had been moved into Labs, which left space and time in the lectures to cover material relevant to the topic.

I was surprised at the lack of interaction, though. I have no idea if there were more than a handful of other students nor if there was a support team since there was hardly any participating in the discussion forum. One technical question remained unanswered for example... It seems that there could be a lot of great discussion on the course material if more engagement were encouraged.

By Rahul G

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Oct 4, 2016

I enjoyed the course! It helped me organise information about methods in understanding complex systems. I would have definitely used some more detailed explanations about the model building process.

Thank you very much for your kind interest and effort!

By Reena A

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Oct 28, 2016

Good course, the lab classes can be improved further.

not easily comprehensive

By Hadeel D

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Aug 5, 2017

It is only that the language is little hard for non native speakers

By Mary P

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Apr 28, 2020

enjoyed the course and learning about systems science soft ware.

By Bui N A

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Aug 20, 2018

Useful course with excellent learning materials. Thank you!

By Melanie C

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Oct 29, 2017

good, you need more time to complete the quizzes.

By Fatma P

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Apr 28, 2021

i learned more about software designing.

By Jessica B

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Sep 25, 2019

A good introduction to the methods

By Jorge A P

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Mar 11, 2021

Buena teoría y dinámica

By jungsungmoon

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Nov 22, 2019

very good!!

By Aboudalal M

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Jul 11, 2016

Good