GPIS Concentration:Modeling & Simulation
- Students selecting this field must take (MSIM 601 or MSIM 602) as their required field course.
- MA students must select TWO more courses within the field.
- PhD. students must select THREE courses for primary or TWO courses for secondary concentration.
- Students may take courses other than those listed below only in consultation with the field coordinator.
- Students could enrich their classroom experience through Independent Study/Directed Research projects with the agreement and under the supervision of the field coordinator.
BNAL 722/822 Agent-Based Simulation and Modeling
This course will explore both the conceptual and technical aspects of agent-based simulation, particularly as utilized for modeling of business systems. Students will explore the roots and literature of agent-based modeling and related fields. Students will also learn to develop agent-based simulation models using a major commercial simulation package.
ECON 707/807 Econometrics II
Multi-equation econometric models; problems such as identification, single-equation estimation, estimation of equation systems, and model evaluation techniques; time-series models such as autoregressive and moving average models; forecasting with time-series models. Pre- or corequisite: ECON 625 or equivalent.
ECON 708/808 Econometrics III
Issues in cross-section and panel data, focuses on problems such as selection bias, heterogeneity, unobserved heterogeneity, treatment effects, truncation and censoring. The course covers multivariate techniques such as principal component analysis and factor analysis, along with event studies and nonparametric and semiparametric estimators.
ENMA 712/812 Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis & Decision Support Systems
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Decision Support Systems. Currently, complex engineering-economic-societal decisions are made by involving numerous sometimes conflicting criteria and attributes, different decision rules and in the presence of various stakeholders with individual preferences who are willing to go into negotiation procedures. A number of multi-criteria decision tools involving quantitative as well as qualitative methods, together with adequate decision support tools will be introduced. Case studies on a variety of engineering, environmental and security related aspects will also be considered.
ENMA 724/824 Risk Analysis
Approaches to the management of risk; probability assessment methods; risk modeling; use of software packages; extensions of decision analysis, including stochastic dominance and multiattribute methods; applications to project management, scheduling, and cost estimation.
ENMA 754/854 Big Data Fundamentals
The objectives of the course are to provide fundamental knowledge and skills of Big Data for the new generation of researchers, engineers, project managers and business managers in the emerging data-driven science and engineering paradigm. Topics to be covered include data analytics, cloud platforms and tools for Big Data, and innovative applications of Big Data.
IDT 755/855 Theory and Design of Instructional Simulation and/or
This course focuses on learning theory, design and evaluation of instructional simulations and simulators. Topics include history, instructional design, validation, and integration of instructional simulations.
IDT 756/856 Instructional Gaming: Theories and Practice.
This course focuses on learning theory, design and evaluation of instructional simulations and simulators. Topics include history, instructional design, validation, and integration of instructional simulations.
IS 762/862 Game Theory
Game theory uses mathematical models, empirical investigation, and simulations to explain simple and complex strategic interactions among individuals, states, groups, and species. This course teaches the tools of game theory, with a focus on applications in international relations and political science.
IS 765/865 Agent Based Modeling and Simulation for International Studies or BNAL 722/822 Agent-based Simulation and Modeling
An introduction to complex systems theory and to the application of agent-based modeling technologies to a variety of social systems.
IS 872 Modeling Global Events
This course introduces modeling and simulation as a tool for expanding one's understanding of events that have shaped the global environment of the 21st century. The course will first provide a broad look at international politics through a review of select international incidents, military interventions, and homeland security issues. Second, select topics from these categories will serve as case studies to facilitate representing those events with the application of modeling, simulation, and visualization. Understanding how modeling and simulation can provide another method of analysis allows students to delve deeper into their understanding of "what happened" and to explore their conception of "what if."
MSIM 601 Introduction to Modeling and Simulation*
Modeling and simulation (M&S) discipline surveyed at an overview level of detail. Basic terminology, modeling methods, and simulation paradigms are introduced. May substitute MSIM 602.
MSIM 725/825 Principles of Combat Modeling and Simulation
Principles of combat modeling and simulation. Introduction including history, basic definitions, and best practice. Algorithms for modeling movement, sensing effects and behavior. Overview of modern combat models. Interoperability and integration into operational environments. Prerequisites: MSIM 603
PSYC 736/836 Multilevel Models HLM
Social science data frequently have a hierarchical or multilevel structure because of sampling designs or repeated measures. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles and applications of hierarchical linear modeling in social science research. Topics covered include an introduction to multilevel analyses, random intercept models, random slope models, hypotheses testing, hierarchical models for limited dependent variables, model fitting, three-level models, and repeated-measures applications.
*Core Seminar
Certificate in Modeling & Simulation
Over the past several years, GPIS has added faculty with expertise in this area, and has received significant external funding for modeling and simulation projects. A number of connections have been built between GPIS and the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center. The M&S in international studies concentration could be pursued by students in several ways, which are outlined below. In each case, courses would be selected in close consultation with the M&S track coordinator. Modeling and simulation in the social sciences generally, and in international studies particularly, takes several different forms. The most prominent of these are:
- Statistical modeling
- Formal modeling/game theory
- Simulation/agent-based modeling
- Geographic/spatial modeling
- Network analysis
- Event simulation exercises
Requirements (4 courses)
Any student who would like to get a certificate in M&S will need four courses from the course list below. This includes the MSIM core courses. The certificate can be pursued regardless of a student's field of concentration, although for PhD students this would require additional coursework beyond the usual thirty credit hours of post-master's work.
MSIM 601* Fundamentals of Modeling and Simulation
Modeling and simulation (M&S) discipline surveyed at an overview level of detail. Basic terminology, modeling methods, and simulation paradigms are introduced. May substitute MSIM 602.
IS 620* Advanced Statistical Techniques
Multivariate regression, causal analysis, and advanced statistical applications.
IS 762/862 Game Theory
Game theory uses mathematical models, empirical investigation, and simulations in an effort to explain simple and complex strategic interactions among individuals, states, groups, and species. This course teaches the tools of game theory, with a focus on applications in international relations and political science.
IS 765/865 Agent Based Modeling or BNAL 722/822 Agent-based Simulation Modeling
An introduction to complex systems theory and to the application of agent-based modeling technologies to a variety of social systems.
IS 772/872 or MSIM 772/872 Modeling Global Events
This course introduces modeling and simulation as a tool for expanding one's understanding of events that have shaped the global environment of the 21st century. The course will first provide a broad look at international politics through a review of select international incidents, military interventions, and homeland security issues. Second, select topics from these categories will serve as case studies to facilitate representing those events with the application of modeling, simulation, and visualization. Understanding how modeling and simulation can provide another method of analysis allows students to delve deeper into their understanding of "what happened" and to explore their conception of "what if."
STAT 625/STAT 626 Mathematical Statistics
Topics include axiomatic foundations of probability, conditional probability, Bayes formula, random variables, density and mass functions, stochastic independence, expectation, moment generating functions, transformations, common families of distributions, multiple random variables, covariance and correlation, multivariate distributions, convergence concepts, law of large numbers, limit theorems, multivariate regression models.
STAT 640 Survival Analysis.
Basic concepts and methods for analyzing survival time data obtained from following individuals until the occurrence of an event or their loss to follow-up. It will cover nonparametric, semi-parametric, and parametric models and two-sample test techniques. It will demonstrate mathematical and graphical methods for evaluating the goodness of fit and introduce the concept of dependent censoring/competing risk.
ENMA 754/854 Big Data Fundamentals
The objectives of the course are to provide fundamental knowledge and skills of Big Data for the new generation of researchers, engineers, project managers and business managers in the emerging data-driven science and engineering paradigm. Topics to be covered include data analytics, cloud platforms and tools for Big Data, and innovative applications of Big Data.
PSYC 736/836 Multilevel Models HLM
Social science data frequently have a hierarchical or multilevel structure as a consequence of sampling designs or repeated measures. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles and applications of hierarchical linear modeling in social science research. Topics covered include an introduction to multilevel analyses, random intercept models, random slope models, hypotheses testing, hierarchical models for limited dependent variables, model fitting, three-level models, and repeated-measures applications.
IDT 755/855 Theory and Design of Instructional Simulation and/or
IDT 756/856 Instructional Gaming: Theories and Practice.
This course focuses on learning theory, design and evaluation of instructional simulations and simulators. Topics include history, instructional design, validation, and integration of instructional simulations.
ENMA 712/812 Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis & Support
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Decision Support Systems. Currently, complex engineering-economic-societal decisions are made by involving numerous sometimes conflicting criteria and attributes, different decision rules and in the presence of various stakeholders with individual preferences who are willing to go into negotiation procedures. A number of multi-criteria decision tools involving quantitative as well as qualitative methods, together with adequate decision support tools will be introduced. Case studies on a variety of engineering, environmental and security related aspects will also be considered.
*Core Seminar
