Special Topic: Applied Modelling and AI

This course introduces students to robust practices for the quality-assured application of mathematical models in engineering problem solving. Using simple ODE and machine-learning models drawn from Civil Engineering subdisciplines, students will apply a structured approach to model design, testing and utilisation, including key steps of conceptualisation, verification & validation, calibration, prediction, and uncertainty analysis. By the end of this course, students will appreciate the role of physics-driven and machine learning models for solving engineering problems, their limitations, and how model information must be weighed against financial, sociocultural and legal considerations.