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Principles of Modeling and Simulation: A Multidisciplinary Approach

John A. Sokolowski and Catherine M. Banks, editors
Publisher: 
John Wiley
Publication Date: 
2009
Number of Pages: 
259
Format: 
Hardcover
Price: 
95.00
ISBN: 
9780470289433
Category: 
Textbook
[Reviewed by
Jan E. Holly
, on
05/19/2009
]

Readers expecting a book on the areas of mathematical modeling and computer simulation will be surprised here to find a book on the engineering-oriented field of study that is named — not surprisingly — Modeling and Simulation. This is a growing field of concentration in engineering, with interest to mathematicians because of its obvious overlap with work performed by mathematicians, and also because of its availability for graduate study by math majors without prior engineering experience.

What is Modeling and Simulation, and how is it related to mathematical modeling? One answer is that the modeling focuses on simulation rather than on mathematical analysis. Another difference is that the field of Modeling and Simulation makes a point to include research on practical issues such as visual representation of information.

This book is a nice introduction to the field. The first chapter describes the history of wargames, beginning with the Roman Army, that ultimately led to the modern field of study, Modeling and Simulation. Subsequent chapters include different types of models and application to areas such as business and medicine.

The main complaint from a mathematician's viewpoint is that a reader might gain the impression that this book gives a general introduction to mathematical modeling, as the book largely fails to point out the relationship with, or even the existence of, the field of mathematical modeling with its many techniques besides simulation.


Jan Holly is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Colby College in Waterville, ME.

 

 

Preface.

Contributors.

PART ONE: PRINCIPLES OF MODELING AND SIMULATION: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. 

Chapter 1: What is Modeling and Simulation? 

Introduction.

Models: Approximations of Real World Events.

A Brief History of Modeling and Simulation.

Application Areas.

Using Modeling and Simulation: Advantages and Disadvantages.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

Further Reading.

References.

Chapter 2: The Role of Modeling and Simulation. 

Introduction.

Using Simulations to Solve Problems.

Uncertainty and Its Effects.

Gaining Insight.

A Simulation’s Lifetime.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

Further Reading.

PART TWO: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS. 

Chapter 3: Simulation: Models That Vary Over Time. 

Introduction.

Discrete Event Simulation.

Continuous Simulation.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

References.

Chapter 4: Queue Modeling and Simulation. 

Introduction.

Analytical Solution.

Queuing Models.

Sequential Simulation.

SimPack Queuing Implementation.

Parallel Simulation.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

Further Reading.

References.

Chapter 5: Human Interaction with Simulations. 

Introduction.

Simulation and Data Dependency.

Visual Representation.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

References.

Chapter 6: Verification and Validation. 

Introduction.

Performing Verification and Validation.

Verification and Validation Examples.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

References.

PART THREE: PRACTICAL DOMAINS. 

Chapter 7: Uses of Simulation. 

Introduction.

The Many Facets of Simulation.

Experimentation Aspect of Simulation.

Experience Aspect of Simulation.

Examples of Uses of Simulation.

Ethics in the Use of Simulation.

Some Excuses to Avoid Simulation.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

Further Exploration.

References.

Appendix A-Simulation Associations/Groups/Research Centers.

CHAPTER 8: MODELING AND SIMULATION: REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES. 

Introduction.

Transportation.

Business M&S.

Medical M&S.

Social Science M&S.

Conclusion.

Key Terms.

Further Reading.

References.

Chapter 9: The Future of Simulation. 

Introduction.

A Brief . . . and Selective . . . History of Simulation.

Convergent Simulations.

Serious Games.

Human-Simulator Interfaces.

Computing Technology.

The Role of Education in Simulation.

The Future of Simulation.

Index.