The use of models has become increasingly common in the study of social and environmental systems. Models are used to help us learn about the systems that we interested in, to help guide future research by identifying knowledge and data gaps, to aid in the design of management and monitoring strategies, and to make predictions about unmeasured patterns and processes. ENVSCI 704 is designed to provide you with an understanding of a range of modelling concepts, approaches and applications, as well as methods for determining the suitability of a particular modelling approach for a given task. The examples, assessments and setting for the project will focus on coastal and marine systems. However, since modelling pervades any area of environmental science, the skills developed in this course are useful for those wishing to have a career in academia or consulting. In ENVSCI 704 we will cover the following topics: a) overview of the most widely used types of models (mathematical, statistical, simulation, etc.); b) model construction and implementation in a range of coastal contexts ; c) analysis of data-driven models, issues related to parameterisation, validation and verification, and comparison of models with data ; d) case studies of models representing the range of modelling approaches (physical, empirical, statistical, theoretical) used in environmental modelling.