Course Syllabus
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Lincoln University| COURSE ID: | CSC-451 |
| COURSE NAME: | Computer Simulations |
| CREDITS: | 3 |
TEXT BOOK (tentative)
Modern Statistical, Systems, and GPSS Simulation, second edition by Zaven Karian and Edward Dudewicz, 1999, CRC press.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
***To be provided for each section***
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course demonstrates to the student how computers may be used to simulate the behavior of real world systems by utilizing mathematical models with an emphasis on discrete system simulation. The simulation projects will be done using simulation software packages and structured programming languages. Topics include chain of events, priority queues, random numbers generation, and statistical analyses.
PREREQUISITE CSC-254 (Data Structures)COURSE GOALS- STUDENT LEARNER OUTCOMES
The student should
- Understand the underlying data structures needed for writing simulation programs and building simulation software.
- Learn to design mathematical and logical models to represent systems.
- Be able to simulate real world systems using programming language such as C++ or Java with an emphasis on waiting line systems.
- Be able to simulate real world systems using a simulation language such as GPSS (General Purpose Simulation System).
- Be able to do statistical data analysis on the simulation of a system, by examining both input and output and altering the model variables.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
(WEEK 1) - Simulation Overview
Discrete versus continuous models
Modeling systems
Introduction to chain of events
Improving system performance
Predicting future performance and behavior of a system
(WEEK 2-4) - Data structures for simulation
C++ review
Link lists
Implementing chain of events n C++ using linked lists
Waiting lines
Queues
Queues and Priority queues
Test #1 (50 points)
(WEEK 5-8) - Simulation using programming
Simulation of a traffic system using Java
Random generation in Java
2-D animation of a traffic system in Java
C++ Case study: Gas station
Sampling data
Generating and gathering statistics
TEST #2 (100 points) during mid-term week
A C++ simulation team project due Midterm
(WEEK 9-16) - GPSS language including several simulation case studies
Transactions
Blocks and Block diagrams
ADVANCE
ASSIGN
BUFFER
DEPART
ENTER
FAVAIL
FUNAVAIL
GATE
GENERATE
LEAVE
MARK
PREEPMPT
PRIORITY
QUEUE
RELEASE
RETURN
SAVAIL
SAVEVALUE
SEIZE
SUNAVAIL
TABULATE
TERMINATE
TRANSFER
Standard Numerical Attributes
GPSS functions
Three additional Tests, GPSS-based (50 points each) will be administered during week 9-16
GPSS Projects are assigned approximately every week
FINAL TEST (100 points, written during the official final exam period)
COURSE ASSESSMENT- LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES*
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Computer Projects
Computer Projects will be given on material covered in class. General computer labs are available throughout the campus for students to do their work. The students are encouraged to make regular visits during office hours, to meet in study groups, and to use the Computer/ Programming Tutors from the School of Natural Sciences.
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Late Work And Make-Ups
All computer projects, assignments, quizzes and exams must be completed by the scheduled date. Late assignments or make-up tests or quizzes will only be allowed with official documentation and grades may be lowered. To qualify for a make-up, a student must have notified the professor and rescheduled in a timely manner.
GRADING STANDARDS- ASSESSMENT TOOLS
The grades will be evaluated based on the practical and written tests/ quizzes as follows.
| Programs/Assignments | 25% |
| Class participation/ work | 5% |
| Tests | 70% |
UNIVERSITY POLICY
1) Attendance:
Lincoln University uses the class method of teaching, which assumes that each student has something to contribute and something to gain by attending class. It further assumes that there is much more instruction absorbed in the classroom than can be tested on examinations. Therefore, students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings and should exhibit good faith in this regard. For the control of absences, the faculty adopted the following regulations:
- Four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course.
- Three tardy arrivals may be counted as one absence.
- Absences will be counted starting with whatever day is specified by the instructor but not later than the deadline for adding or dropping courses.
- In case of illness, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances, the student must present documented evidence of inability to attend classes to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. However, in such cases the student is responsible for all work missed during those absences.
- Students representing the University in athletic events or other University sanctioned activities will be excused from class (es) with the responsibility of making up all work and examinations. The Registrar will issue the excused format to the faculty member in charge of the off- or on-campus activity for delivery by the student(s) to their instructors.
Students are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all of their scholastic work. They must follow a professor's instructions when completing tests, homework, and laboratory reports, and must ask for clarification if the instructions are not clear. In general, students should not give or receive aid when taking exams, or exceed the time limitations specified by the professor. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Honesty in the classroom and in the preparation of papers is therefore expected of all students. Each student has the responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own. All of this work must be done in accordance with established principles of academic integrity.
An act of academic dishonesty or plagiarism may result in failure for a project or in a course. Plagiarism involves representing another person's ideas or scholarship, including material from the Internet, as your own. Cheating or acts of academic dishonesty include (but are not limited to) fabricating data, tampering with grades, copying, and offering or receiving unauthorized assistance or information.3) The Student Conduct Code:
Students will be held to the rules and regulations of the Student Conduct Code as described in the Lincoln University Student Handbook. In particular, excessive talking, leaving and reentering class, phones or pagers, or other means of disrupting the class will not be tolerated and students may be asked to leave. Students who constantly disrupt class may be asked to leave permanently and will receive an F.
4) The Core Curriculum Learner Competencies:All courses offered through the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science require students to meet at least the following out of the 8 Core Curriculum Learner Competencies:
(1) Listen and effectively communicate ideas through written, spoken, and visual means;(2) Think critically via classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, hypothesizing, synthesizing, extrapolating, and evaluating ideas;
(6) Apply and evaluate quantitative reasoning through the disciplines of mathematics, computational science, laboratory science, selected social sciences and other like-minded approaches that require precision of thought;
(8) Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills by adhering to the principles of freedom, justice, equality, fairness, tolerance, open dialogue and concern for the common good.
Note:
* The instructor of a given section of the course may make some modifications to the evaluation as well as to the rest of the syllabi including but not limited to; the grade weights, number of tests, and test total points.
**The grading scale guideline includes a 2-point flexibility.
Please consult with the department chairperson for any program updates or corrections which may not be yet reflected on this page _ last updated 11/20/2007.
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Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |