MAMS - Advanced Methods of Modeling and Simulation (2011 / 2012)

The aim of the MAMS course is two-fold. Firstly, we intend to present students the fascinating field of modelling and simulation as an important asset and imperative tool inherent to the scientific method, for testing and validating concepts and theories, which will be invaluable in virtually all PhD projects. Secondly, the presentation of and open discussions on contemporary modelling and simulation methods and techniques are expected to motivate students to identify problems and to point out challenges that turn such a field into an interesting research domain within Informatics Engineering that is rather multidisciplinary.

More specifically, the course goals include:

• To present basic concepts of (computer-based) modelling and simulation, as well as their vast potential applications;
• To present the main phases of a simulation project’s life cycle, from abstraction and modelling to result analysis and implementation;
• To identify the main types of models and their suitability to tackle different problems, as well as the simulation techniques associated to them;
• To discuss on the state-of-the-art extensively, as well as on recent technological breakthroughs in the field of modelling and simulation, identifying challenges, major research areas and cutting-edge trends.

After concluding the course successfully, we expect students be able to:

• Identify problems, devise models and develop suitable simulation projects;
• Analyse and implement simulation results;
• Include simulation techniques into the scientific method of different research and knowledge fields;
• Demonstrate proper understanding of main areas of interest and current challenges to the field of modelling and simulation;
• Use modelling and simulation tools effectively;
• Design and implement modelling and simulation tools and environments, either domain-specific or general-purpose.

As part of the practical assessment, each student officially enrolled and attending the MAMS module at ProDEI is subjected to prepare and present a Seminar (Readings in Simulation) as well as to devise and implement a complete Simulation Project, including a written paper and an oral presentation.

• A seminar consists of investigating a specific topic, making a survey and trying to emphasise recent developments in the selected field. The student must produce a PowerPoint presentation, with slides and notes for each slide, and make a presentation to the class as scheduled. The presentation is expected to take about 15 minutes, plus 5 minutes for class discussion on the presentation.

• A project consists of effectively studying, projecting, developing and experimenting on a specific simulation problem, applying one or more selected advanced methods and/or techniques. Preferably, the project will include coding, extending, and/or customising a given simulator (ad-hoc or general purpose/off-the-shelf or open-source and fullcustomisable) to study a specific problem.

Besides the seminar and the project, students will also sit for a short examination of the knowledge acquired during the term, in form of a mini-test that may take no longer than 1.5 hour. The final mark will be set according to the following weights for each component of the assessment system:

• Seminar Presentation (20%)
• Course Project (60%):
  • Oral Presentation + Demo (60%)
  • Paper, in Springer's format up to 12 pages (40%)
• Mini-test (20%)

VERY IMPORTANT The student cannot get a mark below 8 in any of the three components (seminar, project and mini-test), in which case he/she would fail the course.

• Suggestion of themes for seminar preparation
• Suggestion of topics for project development

• Scheduled Seminars
• Format and other instructions

• Law, A. (2007) Simulation Modeling and Analysis, McGraw-Hill
• Banks, J.; Carson, J.; Nelson, B. (2005) Discrete-event System Simulation, Prentice Hall
• Chung, C. (2003) Simulation Modeling Handbook: a practical approach, CRC Press
• Brito, A. (2001) Teixeira, J.;Simulação por computador: fundamentos e implementação em C e C++, Publindústria

Modelling and Simulation:

• http://www.scs.org/
• http://www.scs-europe.net/
• http://www.wintersim.org/
• http://www.eurosis.org/
• http://www.cdve.org/
• http://www.asim-gi.org/
• http://www.msc-les.org/conf/
• http://www.pads-workshop.org/

DAI and Multi-Agent Systems:

• http://www.ifaamas.org/
• http://www.ijcai.org/
• http://www.aaai.org/
• http://www.eccai.org/
• http://www.eumas.org/
• http://www.wi-iat09.disco.unimib.it/

Prof. Rosaldo J. F. Rossetti

• E-mail: rossetti@fe.up.pt
• Messenger: [email protected]
• Skype: rosaldo.rossetti