Textbook

Lawrence M. Leemis, Stephen K. Park, Discrete Event Simulation - A First Course, Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN 13: 978-0131-42917-8

There is one textbook on reserve in the Arthur Lakes Memorial Library.

Unfortunately, there are no electronic versions of this text are available :(

Course Description

CSCI423 --- Computer Simulation: A first course in computer simulation. A course emphasizing the rigorous development of simulation applications. Topics will include the design of simulations, Monte Carlo simulation, discrete event simulation, and the mathematics behind their proper implementation and analysis. To a lessor extent we may discuss random number generation, time-step simulations and parallel simulations. The course uses in class group work, programming assignments, student-selected initiatives, and exams for assessment.

Prerequisites: Software Engineering (CSCI306), Probability and Statistics (MATH200 or MATH323), Introduction to Linux (CSCI274).

Learning Goals

The objectives of this course are to introduce students to the field of computer simulation.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have practiced and improved their coding, code review, communication and collaboration skills; and be able to:

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of rigorous computer simulation software development.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of pseudo random number generator APIs and their properties.
  • Apply the laws and formulas of probability and statistics to simulation input modeling.
  • Apply the laws and formulas of probability and statistics to the results of simulations and demonstrate best practices in the presentation of simulation results.
  • Know the distinguishing details of discrete (next) event and Monte Carlo simulation architectures.

Student Evaluation

Students should familiarize themelves with the collaboration policy for graded work.

Grade Component

Course Grade Weight

Notes

Journaling

31%

Programming and Written Assignments

31%

Read about late penalties.

Midterm Exam and Final Exam

31%

non-cumulative, weighted

Participation

7%

including simulation bounties

Assignments

Programming and written assignments may we worth different numbers of points, but their percentile grades are all weighted the same when calculating the "Assignment" portion of your course grade.

  • After assignment grades are posted on Blackboard, students have 1 week to review and contest an assignment grade. If you are concerned over a particular assignment's grading, follow these instructions.

  • Assignments may not be re-submitted after they have been graded, even if the re-submission is before the assignment deadline.

  • Late Policy: 10% off for first 24 hours, 15% off for second 24 hours, 40% of for the third 24 hours (3 days late). Assignments posted 4 days or more after the due date are not graded. Weekends count as late days, all work must be turned in before Dead-Day.

Participation

Students are expected to attend lectures and participate in group work during lectures. Additionally, but not in place of, students may garner participation points by capitalizing on Simulation Bounties:

Simulation Bounties

Find a story, news article, radio segment, or some other mention of computer simulation reported by the popular press. Research the simulation side of the story, and present this to the class for a 4-5 minute discussion during lecture.

Alternatively, present the results of a peer-reviewed article using computer simulation as its primary computational tool, or a peer-reviewed article discussing developments in the technology of computer simulation.

Institutional Support

  1. Those students who qualify for disability accommodations must request Student Disability Services deliver each professor a Confidential Letter of Required Accommodations to ensure accommodations are met. More information is at this link.

  2. The Writing Center, located in Stratton 306, is here to help all members of the Mines community with writing projects at any stage of the writing process. Writing Consultants will help you understand an assignment; brainstorm, develop and organize ideas; cite sources; narrow your focus; and/or fine-tune your writing for polish, clarity, adherence to grammatical conventions, etc. You are welcome to bring in your scholarship letters, application letters, theses, dissertations, academic journal articles, resumes, cover letters, research papers, summaries, abstracts, NHV essays, EPICS writing assignments, and personal writing projects with which you would like help. To make an appointment, please visit our online scheduling system at: http://mines.mywconline.com. Questions can be directed to Shira Richman, Writing Center Director, at: srichman@mines.edu or 303-273-3484. We look forward to working with you.