Instructor:

Name: Dr. Levent Yilmaz

Auburn Modeling and Simulation Laboratory of the M&SNet
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
College of Engineering
Auburn University
Email:  yilmaz@eng.auburn.edu
Office: 214 Dunstan Hall
Office Phone: 844-6343
Office Hours:  by appointment

Course Description:  This course has dual objectives: (1) acquiring modeling and simulation skills to develop simulation-based solutions to analyze complex systems that can be modeled by discrete event methodology and (2) ability to use software agents to not only represent intelligent entities within simulation models but also to enhance modeling and simulation environments. Agent theoretic fundamental model design principles and conceptual frameworks are overviewed. The course covers the entire simulation development life cycle including problem formulation, system and objectives definition, conceptual modeling, model design, implementation, experimentation, and credibility assessment. Each student involves in a research project to develop a research paper.

Course Objectives: Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to (1) solve complex problems by way of using computational agent theory and methodology under the discrete-event simulation framework, (2) simulate agent systems using a discrete-event model development environment (i.e. DEVS), (3) demonstrate advanced knowledge in the modeling and simulation of agent technologies such as negotiation, coordination mechanisms, auction mechanisms, coalition formation etc., and (4) participate in agent-based simulation model design and development projects.

Recommended Texts:

There is no required text for this course. A number of selected papers will overviewed and discussed in class. The following are the recommended texts.

• Adaptive Agents, Intelligence, and Emergent Human Organization: Capturing Complexity through Agent-Based Modeling, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 2002.
• Ferber J. (1999). Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence, Addison-Wesley.
• Zeigler et al. (2000). Theory of Modeling and Simulation. Academic Press
• Jerry Banks (1998). Handbook of Simulation. Wiley-Interscience.
• Zeigler P. B. and H. Sarjoughian (2003) Introduction to DEVS Modeling and Simulation with Java (DEVS Java tutorial).
• Michael Wooldridge, (2004). An Introduction to Multi-Agent Systems. Wiley.
• Jennings, N. R. and Wooldridge, M. J. (1998). Agent Technology: Foundations, Applications, and Markets. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

Course Requirements:

1. Final Examination (20%) – Final exam will be a closed-book comprehensive exam.

2. Project (40%) – There will be one substantial research project. The assignment entails the  proposal as well as development of an agent-directed simulation project. Each student  is responsible for sketching project’s requirements, identifying the critical simulation design issues, and performing a agent-directed simulation study. Students will be required to produce design documentation, simulation implementation, and present their results. Additional information concerning the project will be presented in class.

4. Research Paper (20%)  – The technical research paper will be based on the agent simulation project.

5. Participation (20%) – Students are expected to participate in class discussions, make presentations based on the assigned papers and group projects.

Accommodation Policy:

If you need special accommodations, please contact me during the first week of classes.

Policy on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

Academic integrity is central to the learning and teaching process.  Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will contribute to the maintenance of academic integrity by making all reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of academic dishonesty.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, obtaining or giving aid on an examination, having unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination, doing work for another student, and plagiarism of all types. Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person’s idea or product as one’s own.  Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following: copying verbatim all or part of another’s written work; using phrases, charts, figures, illustrations, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source.

Date

Topics

• Banks J. (1998). "Principles of Simulation," In the Handbook of Simulation, John-Wiley & Sons. Inc.

• Zeigler et al. (2003). "DEVS Today: Recent Advances in Discrete Event-Based Information Technology".
• Zeigler P. B. and H. Sarjoughian (2003) Introduction to DEVS Modeling and Simulation with Java (DEVS Java tutorial).

Agent-Based Modeling

Characteristics and types of agency (rational, social, interactive, adaptive agency). Agent micro-architectures: reactive and hybrid agent models, practical reasoning agents. Agent simulator design (An agent interpreter).

• Principles of Agent Systems, In Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence.

• Yoav S. (1993). "Agent-Oriented Programming," Readings in Agents (Eds. M. N. Huhns and M. P. Singh), pp. 329-349.

• Modeling Action and Behavior, In Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence.
• Modeling States of Artificial Minds, In Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence.

• Modeling Coordination of Actions, In Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence
• Modeling Collaboration and Distribution of Tasks, In Multi-Agent Systems: An Introduction to Distributed Artificial Intelligence

Simulation of Agent Systems

(Spring Break)

Agent-Supported Simulation

• Genesereth R. M. (1997). "An Agent Framework for Interoperability," In Software Agents (Bradshaw ed.). pp. 317-347.
• Sukthankar G .and K. Sycara (2000). "Team-aware Robotic Demining Agents for Military Simulation" 
• Todd J. Callantine, Thomas Prevôt, Vernol Battiste, Walter W. Johnson. "Agent-Based Support for Distributed Air/Ground Traffic Management Simulation Research"