The analysis and improvement of performance in complex systems, the adaptation of plants to new demands or conditions, and the design of 'optimal' systems are a few of the challenges confronting engineers and systems scientists today. In many cases solutions to problems in areas such as these may be found through the use of appropriate mathematical models. The dynamic case, whether continuous time, discrete time of discrete-event, deterministic or stochastic, presents special challenges, and derivation of an appropriate solution depends strongly on the proper initial formulation of the goals and constraints. Increasingly this demands an interdisciplinary approach to modelling. Models can take the form of sets of equations, graphs or nets, or some combination of elements such as these. The derivation, combination, simplification and validation of models and sub-models are the main topics of Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, which provides an international forum for the presentation of new ideas in modelling and for the exchange of experience and knowledge through descriptions of specific applications. Original work will be published as regular papers or short notes dealing with a range of topics including the following:

• Processes and methods for model formulation, identification, development, reduction and validation etc. (including guidelines and check lists)
• Automation of modelling and software aid for modelling
• The relationship between computational/simulation methods, the underlying mathematical formulation and real-world modelling problems
• Qualitative modelling including fuzzy and iterative approaches to modelling
• Modular modelling (especially applied to interdisciplinary fields such as mechatronic or controlled environmental systems)
• Learning networks in modelling
• Uncertainties in modelling
• The relationship between the modelling approach and problem solutions
• Comparisons of methods for modelling, model reduction and model validation
• effects of modelling errors on overall performance of engineering system (e.g. relationship between modelling and control design)
• Applications in the field of engineering systems
• Applications in other fields (such as environmental systems, biotechnology etc.) provided the methods or ideas presented are relevant in a number of areas or are of interest from a theoretical point of view
• Case studies allowing a comparison of ideas or methods

Consequently, computer simulation and description of mathematical methods and/or algorithms are restricted to the field of modelling and to the consequences of modelling. Only the most important facts about the latter should be discussed but not all the details of modelling languages or about mathematical methods and/or algorithms which is used to solve the task for which the (simulation) model was created. Modelling of the task including the modelling of the dynamic system, of restrictions, of goals etc. and the implications of the model used on solution and on solution methods are of primary interest.

Therefore, papers dealing with applications are accepted only when the purpose of the model, the assumptions (explicit and implicit) made in its development and the precise process of model validation are discussed carefully. Authors are requested to concentrate an those aspects which are of interest to a large community of engineers and scientists and to organize the paper so that it is stimulating and easily readable for engineers and scientists working in a wide range of application areas.

Further, a manuscript should be self-contained without being lengthy i.e. its contents should be able to be understood by readers that are not experts in that specific area of application and without consulting many articles in the literature.

Engineers - especially electrical and control engineers, aerospace engineers, mechanical engineers, marine and offshore engineers, chemical engineers, safe engineers and civil engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists who are involved with applications of mathematical and computer modelling in the physical sciences, in biology, in medicine, in ecology and in other fields such as economics.

All published research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymous refereeing by independent expert referees.


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