# INTRODUCTION

In a dynamical system the model, usually a set of differential or difference equations determines the evolution of the system given only its initial state i.e. the long term behaviour is known once the initial conditions are known. The aim of this module is to learn how to use a model to predict the long term behaviour of a system by analytical and qualitative methods. You will learn

- To investigate the stability of a system and understand the meaning of the terms attractor and repellor
- To understand the importance of initial conditions
- To understand the significance of the values of the parameters in a model
- To describe qualitatively the long term behaviour of a system
- To understand the sensitivity of chaotic sysems on inital conditions