IE 305/404
SIMULATION
Spring
Semester 2012
Course Description
This course presents an introduction
to discrete event simulation. Discrete
event simulation is perhaps the most useful and widely used analytic tool for
the study of complex industrial systems.
It is also quite useful for simulating many other random processes that
are not amenable to mathematical analysis.
Examples abound in finance, economics, communications, EE, statistics
and many other fields.
Course Objectives
This course has two main objectives. First you will gain proficiency in the use of
a special purpose simulation language in order to be able to build useful
models. Specifically you will learn the ARENA
system from Systems Modeling Corp / Rockwell Software. Currently, this is the best and most advanced
simulation software system available.
You will learn to build valid and credible simulation models in ARENA,
and be able to use these models to solve industrial problems.
The second goal is to learn the important theory and
methodology behind simulation modeling.
This is necessary in order to build valid models, perform simulation
experiments, analyze results properly, and avoid costly and sometimes subtle
errors. Main topics include output
analysis, input analysis, random number generation, random variate generation,
Upon completion of this
course, students will:
Homework assignments are an important aspect of this
class due to the heavy use of computers. You will do
homework in groups of three, and
everyone is expected to share the load.
We will have two important and
extensive projects as well. One project
will be based on a simulation contest sponsored by IIE and Rockwell
Software. I encourage each group of undergraduates
to enter this contest (you will be doing all the work anyways). Please see the handout on the Simulation
Contest.
Course Information
We will use Coursesite to distribute course notes and
assignments, and for submitting assignments.
The URL for Coursesite is http://coursesite.lehigh.edu/
Prerequisites
IE 121 (Engineering Statistics) or the equivalent is absolutely
necessary
Course Meeting Times
Lecture: Monday, Wednesday
10:10-11:00 PA 416
Lab: Thursday, 1:10-2:25 or
2:35-3:50, Mohler 121 (on campus students)
Friday, 10:10-11:00
(distance students)
Professor (Lecture)
Dr. Robert H. Storer
Office: 477 Mohler Lab
Office Phone: (610) 758-4436
E-mail rhs2@Lehigh.edu
Office Hours: MW 11-11:40
Packard Lab Lobby
Thurs
10:30-11:30, Fri 1:30-2:30 Mohler 477
Teaching Assistant (Lab instructor)
Mr. Serdar Yildiz
Office: Mohler 342
Office Phone: (610) 758-6702
E-mail sey309@lehigh.edu
Office Hours: Wed 1 – 4 in
Mohler 444
Text
Simulation
Modeling and Analysis (4th Edition),
Averill M. Law, McGraw-Hill
If
you have an earlier edition of the book it should not be a problem
Grading
Lab Computer Homework Assignments 10%
Lab Quizzes 15%
Two Projects 2@
12.5% 25%
Two Hour Exams
2@ 12.5% 25%
Class participation and attendance 5%
Final Exam 20%
Note: you will spend a lot
of time on the computer assignments and projects. However the 2 hour exams and the final, which
cover the lecture material, constitute 45% of your grade. It is very important that you keep up with
this material.
Grading Policy: Plus and minus grading will be used.
Final grades will be curved. Late
assignments will not be accepted. Extra
credit assignments will not be given.
Students that do not show up for an exam, and do not contact me before the exam with a valid
excuse, will receive a zero for the exam.
Academic Honesty: Here is the statement of the Lehigh Student
Senate on academic integrity: We, the Lehigh University Student Senate, as the
standing representative body of all undergraduates, reaffirm the duty and
obligation of students to meet and uphold the highest principles and values of
personal, moral and ethical conduct. As partners in our educational community,
both students and faculty share the responsibility for promoting and helping
ensure an environment of academic integrity. As such, each student is expected
to complete all academic course work in accordance to the standards set forth
by the faculty and in compliance with the university's Code of Conduct.
Accommodations
for Students with Disabilities: If you
have a disability for which you are or may be requesting accommodations, please
contact both your instructor and the Office of Academic Support Services,
University Center 212 (610-758-4152) as early as possible in the
semester. You must have documentation from the Academic Support Services
office before accommodations can be granted.
The lab portion of IE
305/404 will be devoted to learning to build simulation models using the
modeling language ARENA. ARENA disks
will be made available for installation on any PC. The lab will be taught by Mr. Serdar
Yildiz. A typical day in lab might
proceed roughly as follows:
All homework assignments
will be done in groups of three. Note that 2¹3 and 4¹3.
Groups up to the end of the first project will be picked/organized by
the students. After the first project is
handed in, I will rearrange groups. I
usually do this based on class attendance (i.e. the 3 students with the worst
attendance record will be in the same group, etc.).
ARENA programs should be
submitted through Coursesite. Outputs
and/or write ups, when requested, should also be turned in via Coursesite.
I would guess that there
would be about 7 to 9 quizzes total. I
will drop your 2 lowest quiz grades.
Note that the quizzes will be given at the beginning of lab. If you are late, and miss the quiz, you are
out of luck. If you are sick and miss a
quiz, you are out of luck. If you are
away on a job interview, you are out of luck.
That is why I drop the lowest two quiz grades. A significant portion of the Labs will focus
on the two major projects in this class.
This will be especially true in the two or three weeks prior to the
project due dates.