In this work, a new modeling environment called MOSAIC is presented, which combines well known concepts such as equation-based modeling, use of symbolic mathematic language, and code generation. Moreover, the proposed tool follows a new modeling approach for the re-use of single equations and the support of different naming conventions. The modeling is done strictly in the documentation level. In analogy to nomenclatures given in documentation or the literature, the notation is introduced as a mandatory modular model element. The model information is stored in XML and MathML, and code generation for different programming languages is used to transform the generally defined models into executable programs or suitable code fragments for the solution or use in various numerical environments. Furthermore, MOSAIC is provided as a Software as a Service. The result is a software tool that allows for modeling in the documentation level, promotes the reuse of model elements, and supports centralized cooperation on the Internet. Since symbolic mathematic formulations are a key issue in this project, a convention for the formulation of such expressions is motivated and proposed. Additionally, a new modeling concept using notations as model element is introduced. The implementation of these approaches in MOSAIC is discussed based on the example of the dynamic modeling and the simulation of a condenser. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.