ES439-15 Simulation of Operations
Introductory description
Simulation of Operations
Module aims
To introduce Discrete Event simulation in the context of business operations and planning in areas such as manufacturing plant, healthcare and large-scale construction activities. To develop understanding of how to apply the technique to help solve complex engineering systems design problems and basic skills in using commercial software used by major firms. To prepare the student so that they can engage with this in a meaningful way after they graduate, in identifying suitable problems, supporting the execution of simulation projects and managing them effectively.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Fundamental theory of discrete-event simulation.
- Setting objectives for the simulation (formal planning, shop loading, optimisation).
- Data collection and verification; data collection from existing plant operations;
- Methods of estimating in the common case of incomplete data; synthetic data for a new simulation.
- Choice of the system for simulation; criteria: technological aspects, simulation objectives.
- Types of simulation software and their best areas of application.
- Planning and executing a simulation; programming and cross-checking validity of the model; model running; sensitivity analysis; output format.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to present the results of a simulation study in written form, and make evidence-based recommendations based on this.
- Analyse experimental results using appropriate structured and statistical methods to critically evaluate engineering proposals.
- Demonstrate in depth knowledge and skills to allow a new or existing facility and its operation to be simulated using discrete event simulation.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of DES theory and make suitable simplifications of a problem to suit DES technologies.
- Make appropriate modelling simplifications (choice of variable, level of detail, degree of abstraction)
- Design and execute an appropriate set of experiments using a simulation model.
Indicative reading list
Simulation Modeling & Analysis, Law A., McGraw-Hill. 5th edition 2014
Computer Simulation in Management Science, Pidd M., Wiley. 5th edition, 2004.
Simulation: The practice of model development and use. Robinson S., Palgrave Macmillan. 2nd edition 2014.
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process
Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality
Including these specific skills:
Ability to conceive, make and realise a simulation model using commercial software
Ability to design and conduct valid experiments within a time constraint
Ability to make pragmatic choices to develop useful models by oneself within a time constraint
Ability to consider the risks associated with building models with limited data
Transferable skills
Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
Communicate with technical and non-technical audiences and work with others
Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management.
Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
Including these specific transferable skills:
Computer literacy at an advanced level, including some programming skills
Experience in developing computer-based skills from within own resources by self-paced learning.
Managing time in an uncertain data environment
Presenting technical work to non-technical clients
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Practical classes | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Other activity | 2 hours (1%) |
| Private study | 116 hours (77%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Guided Independent Learning 16 hours
Other activity description
Self-paced computer-based tutorials and exercises
2 x 1 hours revision examples classes
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group D2
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual assignment | 60% | |
|
Individual assignment based on a modeling problem for system analysis, including the submission of a working simulation model. 10 pages/2,000 words |
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| Online Examination | 40% | |
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Online multiple choice examination of students ability to design and analyse simulation experiments to investigate multi-factor simulation problems by selecting the correct solutions f numeric problems and the correct or incorrect explanations of phenomena. ~Platforms - QMP
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Feedback on assessment
Written comments on submitted assignments and written group feedback for the final examination
Support through advice and feedback hours.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H311 MEng Mechanical Engineering
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H116 MEng Engineering with Exchange Year
- Year 5 of UESA-H115 MEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H336 MEng Automotive Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H163 MEng Biomedical Systems Engineering
- Year 5 of UESA-H636 MEng Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of UESA-H114 MEng Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-HH76 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
- Year 5 of UESA-HH38 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 5 of UESA-HH77 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H336 MEng Automotive Engineering
- Year 5 of UESA-H337 MEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 5 of UESA-H636 MEng Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
-
UESA-H311 MEng Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of H30K Mechanical Engineering with Instrumentation
- Year 4 of H30M Mechanical Engineering with Robotics
- Year 4 of UESA-HH31 MEng Systems Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-HH33 MEng Systems Engineering with Exchange Year
- Year 5 of UESA-HH32 MEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
This module is Option list C for:
-
UESA-H311 MEng Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of H311 Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of H30J Mechanical Engineering with Appropriate Technology
- Year 4 of H30L Mechanical Engineering with Automotive Engineering
- Year 4 of H30P Mechanical Engineering with Fluid Dynamics
- Year 4 of H30H Mechanical Engineering with Sustainability
- Year 4 of H30N Mechanical Engineering with Systems Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H316 MEng Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H318 MEng Mechanical Engineering with Exchange Year
- Year 5 of UESA-H317 MEng Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year