BUSAN 305 : Simulation Modelling
Business and Economics
2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The course introduces students to the discrete-event simulation (DES) technique and the complete method that frames it. It also introduces student to the agent-based simulation (ABS) technique. In settings that involve industrial processes and control, DES can help the decision makers to quantitatively estimate key statistics on the variables of interest. In settings that involve interaction among autonomous decision making units (such as an organization), ABS can help managers understand the effects and implications of policy changes or new organizational schemes. Students will understand the components of each of these techniques and the way that they are brought together to develop simulation models. For each simulation technique, the course will be problem-based, focusing first on presenting and discussing a problem in its real context; a simulation model will be then used so that students become familiar with its use in the context of making decisions supported by the simulator outputs. Only then, the course will present one by one the components of each simulation technique and will discuss their theoretical foundations. This top-down approach will allow students inquire about the "how and why" of the simulation techniques, after having been able to use them and appreciate their usefulness and power. Students will learn simulation by using Simio and NetLogo.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how to model uncertainty in the context of processes that lend themselves to simulation modelling. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Understand the concept of discrete event and how it is mathematically modelled. (Capability 1 and 3)
- Understand the concept of computational agent and how it is algorithmically modelled. (Capability 1 and 3)
- Learn how to use probability theory in the construction of discrete-event and agent-based simulation models. (Capability 1, 3 and 4.3)
- Be able to identify the main components of the discrete-event simulation technique and use them in the modelling and analysis of proposed industry cases. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5.1)
- Be able to learn how to use a basic agent-based simulator to model the behaviour of large number of individual decision-makers in an organisational or human collective context. (Capability 2, 3 and 5.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Laboratories | 30% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Project | 20% | Group Coursework |
| Quizzes | 10% | Individual Test |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Project | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 points they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is [required/expected] at scheduled activities including [labs/tutorials/studios/clinics] to [complete/receive credit for] components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including [seminars/tutorials/labs/studios] will [be available/not be available] as recordings.
The course [will/will not] include live online events including [group discussions/tutorials].
Attendance on campus is [required/not required] for the [test/exam].
The activities for the course are scheduled as a [standard weekly timetable/block delivery].
Online
Attendance is [required/expected] at scheduled online activities including [labs/tutorials/studios/clinics] to [complete/receive credit for] components of the course.
The course [will/will not] include live online events including [group discussions/tutorials/lectures] and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is [required/not required] for the [test/exam].
Where possible, study material will [be available at course commencement/be released progressively] throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning Resources
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Other Information
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.