ENGSCI 355 : Simulation Modelling for Process Design

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Use of simulation models to design complex processes including consideration of cultural, environmental, societal and ethical factors as appropriate. Focus on practical problem solving, translational methods and the development of real-world modelling skills.

Course Overview

The main learning outcome for students is developing the ability to model and analyse systems using simulation.
The Hierarchical Control Conceptual Modelling framework will be used to create standardised conceptual models of operations systems.
We will be using  JaamSim with snippets of Java for simulation, and R/Python for dealing with data. The focus will be on the development of key skills for real-world modelling, such as dealing with data, conceptualization and implementation of a simulation model, and how simulation supports decision-making in complex systems. How equity can be incorporated into public service systems, in a way that is systematic, will also be explored.

Course Philosophy
This course is based on a learning-by-doing approach, with an emphasis on “time on task”. The course material and assessment is strongly aligned with this philosophy: three-quarters of the lecture time is spent in the computer lab focusing on dealing with data in R/Python, conceptual modelling documentation and simulation modeling in JaamSim; 70% of the assessment is internal, based on data/conceptual modelling/simulation tests and assignments. The computer lab environment will be a non-threatening space where the students will be able to learn together, with direction from the course lecturers.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ENGSCI 255 or STATS 255 Restriction: OPSRES 385

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Use and apply data cleaning and modelling (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Understand the conceptual modelling process for simulation – its role in the model building process (Capability 4.1 and 7.1)
  3. Develop competence with data analysis tools and a simulation package (Capability 3.2, 4.2 and 5.1)
  4. Understand how to determine appropriate inputs from collected data (Capability 4.2)
  5. Identify appropriate measures of system performance (Capability 3.2)
  6. Analyse and discuss output from the model in a non-technical management summary (Capability 4.2)
  7. Understand and apply equitable principles, and the system-level implications of addressing equity (Capability 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Tests 15% Individual Test
Assignments 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Laboratories 15% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Final Exam
Tests
Assignments
Laboratories

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned. A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

The exam mode will be Type C - In Person Invigilated.

Any assignment submitted late will be penalised at 4% of the total mark for each hour they are late.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect each week: a 1 hour lecture, a 2 hour lab, a 1 hour lab, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test, exam and some labs.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the University's Health and Safety policy.

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.

 Based on the 2024 SET results, the following areas will be considered for improvement:
  • The development environment used to run Java/Jaamsim - currently Eclipse is used, we will try VSCode instead as it is easier to set up and there is more familiarity
  • The code language used for data analysis - currently R is used, we will investigate moving to Python
  • Improving the documentation of the labs
  • Ensuring that assignments are thoroughly checked for errors before release, to avoid updating

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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.