MENG 4443: Systems Simulation
Spring 2015
Section 1: WU 8:30-9:45 am, SSE CP34
Section 2: WU 6:00-7:15 pm, SSE CP19
Instructor: Dr. L. K. Gaafar, Ext. 3093
Website: http://www1.aucegypt.edu/faculty/gaafar

The Special Teaching Policies document is an integral part of this syllabus

Catalog description: Basic concepts; examples of different production and service systems; pseudo random numbers; queuing models; random variate generation; discrete-event simulation; simulation languages; model validation and analysis of simulation data. Prerequisite: MENG 342.

Textbook:   

Simulation with Arena, by W. David Kelton and Randall Sadowski (any edition), McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Extra Reading: The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules, by Leonard Mlodinow. Pantheon Books.

Grading:

Item

Points

Assignments and Quizzes

180

Exam 1

80

Exam 2

100

Term Project

50

Final Exam

150

Attendance and Adherence to policy

40

Total

600

Computer Usage:    Students will develop simple simulation models using Microsoft Excel and more sophisticated models using Arena.

Instructional Goals:

1. To provide a basic treatment of discrete-event simulation.

2. To develop the student’s understanding of how to properly collect and analyze data prior to a simulation study.

3. To develop the student’s skills in using analytical techniques.

4. To develop the student’s skill in the verification and validation of simulation models.

5. To provide the students with the skills of properly designing and analyzing simulation experiments.

 

Course Outcomes:
After completing the course, students will be able to:

 

  1. Develop conceptual discrete event simulation models for a given system.
  2. Utilize existing software to develop discrete event simulation models of various systems.
  3. Analyze simulation input data.
  4. Verify and validate simulation models.
  5. Analyze simulation output.
  6. Compare and evaluate alternative system design.
  7. Design a simulation experiment.

Examination: The midterm exams will be administered on the dates shown below the course outline. Both midterms are scheduled on a Saturday to unify the exam for both sections.  These dates and times will be communicated to all ME faculty to make sure that they don't conflict with any other MENG courses.  Please make sure to communicate these dates to your other instructors as early as possible to avoid any conflicts. All examinations will be open book. All exams are comprehensive.

Teamwork: The class will be divided (randomly) in teams of 2-3 students who will do all homework assignments and the term project together.  Each team should act as a support group to its members and become the first resort for any help needed with the course.  A question should only be brought to me if the whole team could not handle it.

Projects: Information on the class and team projects will be provided later.

Topics:

Topic

Hours

Introduction and main concepts

3

Review of distribution fitting, manual and spreadsheet-based simulation.

6

Simulation steps and introduction to Arena

3

Basic modeling concepts

9

Verification and validation

3

Output Analysis

3

Advanced Modeling Concepts

9

Advanced topics:  Animation and Design of Experiments

4

Proposed Dates: These date will be finalized by the 4th of February

Midterm I: Saturday, 14 March 9:00-10:30 am.
Midterm II: Saturday, 18 April 9:00-10:30 am.
Final: Thursday, 21 May 9:00-11:00 am.