Course Description

4633 Simulation
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: CS 3343.
Design, execution, and analysis of simulation models, discrete event simulation techniques, input and output analysis,
random numbers, and simulation tools and languages.

5623 Simulation Techniques
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: CS 2123 and any statistics course.
This course introduces discrete-event simulation techniques, statistical models in simulation, random number generation, input modeling, output analysis and comparisons, and verification and validation of simulation models.

Objectives

This course introduces discrete-event simulation techniques including model design and development, comparison to analytical models, input data preparation, random number generation, output statistical analysis, and model validation. Using these techniques, students will: model real-world systems, implement the model as a computer program (we will use C/C++ with CSIM library), and evaluate the performance of real-world systems by analyzing the output of the model under various conditions.

Time and Location

TR 4:00-5:15pm --- Jan 21, 2020 - May 13, 2020
MH 2.02.04

Instructor

Dr. Turgay Korkmaz
Office: SB 4.01.13
Email: korkmaz at cs.utsa.edu
Phone: (210) 458-7346 Fax: (210) 458-4437

Office Hours

TR 1:00pm-2:30pm (or by appointment)

TA

TBD

Prerequisite

Advaneced programming experience in C,  and working knowledge of Unix operating system,

Basic probability and statistics.

Required Textbook

  • Textbook: Discrete-Event System Simulation (5th Edition) by Jerry Banks, John S. Carson, Barry L. Nelson, David M. Nicol; Prentice Hall, 2010. (4th edition can be used as well) See www.bcnn.net for book resources
    This book is also reserved and can be found on the JPL Reserve Shelf on the 2nd floor. It is available for two-hour check out for CS 4633/5623.
  • CSIM, For online documentation click here

Optional reference books

  1. The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Ritchie
  2. A Book on C by All Kelley and Ira Pohl, 4th edition, Addison-Wesley, 1998
  3. A Practical Guide to Linux by Sobell

Grading

  • 10% Attendance, class participation and quizzes
  • 20% Midterm exam  (March 19, 2020)
  • 30% Assignments   ! NO LATE SUMBISSION !
  • 10% Term Project
  • 30% Final Exam: Mon, May 11, 03:15 pm - 05:45 pm

(Graduate students may have extra questions in the exams and extra work in Assignmnets and Term Project)

Final letter grade:

  • A+             :  >=100%
  • A-, A          :  >= 90%
  • B -, B, B+  :  >= 80%
  • C -, C, C+  :  >= 70%
  • D                 :  >= 60%
  • F                 :  < 60%

Assignments

We will have paper-based problem solving and at least 4 programming assignmnets

Officially they will be posted and submitted through the UTSA Learn (Blackboard)

!!!!! Please carefully check the due dates on BB Learn because NO LATE SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED !!!

Course Topics 

We mainly follow the above textbook. However, we will skip some sections or chapters, and change the order of  some chapters as indicated below.  

I. INTRODUCTION TO DISCRETE-EVENT SYSTEM SIMULATION.

  • 1. Introduction to Simulation. 
  • 2. Simulation Examples. (Skip some of them)
  • 3. General Principles.
  • 4. Simulation Software. (Skip most of Ch 4, we will teach CSIM and use it)

II. MATHEMATICAL AND STATISTICAL MODELS.

  • 5. Statistical Models in Simulation. 
  • 6. Queueing Models. (Skip most of Ch 6, we will talk about simulating queuing models)

IV. ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION DATA.

  • 9. Input Modeling.
  • 10. Verification and Validation of Simulation Models.
  • 11. Output Analysis for a Single Model.
  • 12. Comparison and Evaluation of Alternative System Designs.

III. RANDOM NUMBERS.  (moved to the end)

  • 7. Random-Number Generation.
  • 8. Random-Variate Generation.

V. APPLICATIONS.  (If time permits - Term Projects )

  • 13. Simulation of Manufacturing and Material Handling Systems.
  • 14. Simulation of Networked Computer Systems. 

Online materials and Class Notes

Accessible from utsa.edu computers
or you need to know the user name and password given in class

Some external links

Software

C/C++ compiler

We will use linux and gcc. See Quick Intro to Linux and gcc

We will also use the CSIM librarary that will be installed on our Linux systems

As an editor you can use vi, pico, gedit, xemacs, etc.

  • To learn vi/vim, run vimtutor on linux. Here are some vi cheat sheets obtained from web: s1, s2, s3

Computer Accounts

You will have an account on the CS network as long as you are enrolled in a CS course at UTSA. This account gives you access to Windows and Linux in various CS laboratories. You may also access your account from off-campus via the Internet using secure shell. A free version of secure shell is available at http://www.cs.utsa.edu/~javalab/lab/SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.0.exe, if you wish to install it on your home machine.

After installing and running SSH: Click Quick Connect, enter xyz.cs.utsa.edu as the hostname, enter your cs account id (first initial followed by up to 7 letters of your last name) as username, then click connect. First time it may ask if you want to save keys etc., say yes then enter your password...

Your CS account name will usually be your first initial followed by up to 7 letters of your last name. However, account names sometimes vary because of name conflicts. New account names are posted in the lab. Your initial password is your 8-digit student ID without the leading @ sign.

Course expectations for professional conduct

Students will treat their classroom obligations as they would any serious professional engagement. These obligations include:
  • Preparing thoroughly for each session in accordance with the course calendar and instructor's request.
  • Notifying the instructor in advance if missing a class.
  • Being set up to begin work (logged in and set-up) for each class period at the time the class starts.
  • Staying on task during work sessions.
  • Participating fully and constructively in all course activities and discussions.
  • Adhering to deadlines and timetables established by the instructor.
  • Displaying appropriate courtesy to all involved in the class sessions.
  • Providing constructive feedback to the instructor regarding the class.

Note: Turn off and put away all cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices. You should only have class materials on your desk. You should only have the course web pages, and the classroom query software up on your screen. The instructor and TAs can observe and will record incidents of inattention, which will seriously impact the Homework/Attendance/Participation portion of your grade. Unauthorized electronic devices in use or on the desktop during class are subject to confiscation.

Academic support services I encourage you to utilize the academic support services available to you through the Tomas Rivera Center (TRC) to assist you with building study skills and tutoring in course content. These services are available at no additional cost to you. The TRC has several locations at the Main Campus and is also located at the Downtown Campus. For more information, visit the web site at www.utsa.edu/trcss or call (210) 458-4694 on the Main Campus and (210) 458-2838 on the Downtown Campus.
Academic Dishonesty As an entity of The University of Texas at San Antonio, the Department of Computer Science is committed to the development of its students and to the promotion of personal integrity and self-responsibility. The assumption that a student's work is a fair representation of the student's ability to perform forms the basis for departmental and institutional quality. All students within the Department are expected to observe appropriate standards of conduct. Acts of scholastic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the sub- mission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designated to give un- fair advantage to a student, or the attempt to commit such acts will not be tolerated. The Coordinator for Student Judicial A®airs or faculty may initiate disciplinary proceedings against any student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Consequences of academic dishonesty may be as severe as dismissal from the University. See the website for the Students Code of Conduct at http://www.utsa.edu/infoguide/appendiceb.cfm for more information.

University Policies

For common syllabus information that should be part of every syllabus, see the page Common Syllabus Information | UTSA | The University of Texas at San Antonio

It includes the links and the mandatory administrative information concerning disability services, the academic dishonesty policy, and other important issues.

Note: (a) Students are not automatically dropped from a class if they stop attending the class. (b) University policy does not permit visitors in a class. (c) University policy does not permit faculty or office staff to report grades by telephone, fax, or email.

Disclaimer

This syllabus is provided for informational purposes regarding the anticipated course content and schedule of this course. It is based upon the most recent information available on the date of its issuance and is as accurate and complete as possible. The instructor reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary and/or appropriate. The instructor will make his or her best efforts to communicate any changes in the syllabus in a timely manner. Students are responsible for being aware of these changes.