Course Syllabus

Home | Syllabus | Schedule | Assignments | Resources 

Course Description

CENG 381: Modeling and Simulation (3)

Fundamentals and techniques for designing and using simulation, modeling, and optimization algorithms with applications in system performance modeling, business infrastructure modeling, and distributed and parallel computing. An introduction to advanced complex systems models.

Prerequisite: CENG 231.

Student and Course Learning Outcomes

Student outcomes represent what the course strives to accomplish.
Course learning outcomes represent what will be measured to determine if the course met its objectives.

• Student Outcomes:

  • Students learn concepts in the modeling of computer systems with software and hardware components at different abstraction levels using IEEE SystemC language.
  • Students learn the systematic design of computer systems with software and hardware components following a well-structured top-down system design methodology.

• Course Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to model computer systems at different level of abstractions.
  • Students will be able to describe system models in the SystemC language.
  • Students will be able to simulate and validate system models.
  • Students will be able to to apply structured top-down system design methodology to design real-world industrial application examples.

Course Resources

• Course web site
  online at https://canvas.chapman.edu/courses/55296/
• Text book 1:
  

  D. Black, J. Donovan, B. Bunton, A. Keist: SystemC: From the Ground Up, Second Edition, Springer, 2010. ISBN 978-0-387-69957-8 ("Blue-Red book")

• Recommended text book 1:
  

  D. Gajski, S. Abdi, A. Gerstlauer, G. Schirner: Embedded System Design: Modeling, Synthesis, Verification Second Edition, Springer, July 2009. ISBN 978-1-4419-0503-1 ( "Orange book")

• Recommended text book 2:
  

  Th. Groetker, St. Liao, G. Martin, St. Swan: System Design with SystemC, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, May 2002. ISBN 1-4020-7072-1 ("Black book")

Course Contents

• The class meets for two 75 minutes lectures each week for 15 weeks.
  

  #	Topic
  1	Course set up, introduction to modeling and simulation
  2	Simulation examples, simulation models
  3	Application introduction, case study example
  4	System modeling concepts, models of computation
  5	The SystemC system-level description language
  6	System specification, modeling guidelines
  7	Validation, discrete event simulation, estimation
  8	Levels of abstraction, co-design methodology
  9	Top-down system design methodology
  10	System-level architecture modeling
  11	UML and other system-level description languages
  12	Mathematical and statistical models
  13	Analytical performance modeling
  14	Project discussion, completion, report

• Note that the contents and ordering of topics is tentative and may change!
• Please see the Schedule page for up-to-date scheduling information.

Course Policies

• Attendance Policy:

  Attendance at lecture sections is mandatory (sign-in sheets).
  It is the student's responsibility to make prior arrangements with the instructor for any absence known in advance.
  Make-up assignments can only be arranged for absence due to medical (or similar) reasons. Proper documentation is required.

• Computing server:
  

   Linux is the standard computing platform used for this course. A central computer infrastructure is provided and students may remote login to the server at any time (24/7). All processes run on the Chapman Linux server, students.chapman.edu. While other platforms may be used to develop and test the programs, all coursework will be checked and graded on this server.

• Project assignments:

  A selected application will serve as a continuous example for a sequence of modeling and simulation tasks. Assignments are listed on the Project web page and may be assigned on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Detailed submission instructions and due dates will be listed with each assignment. Assignments are generally due on Fridays at 12pm (noon), unless indicated otherwise on the project web page. The submission deadline is hard. The server clock is used as a reference clock. Work turned in late will not be graded and receive no credit.

  All project work is to be done individually. Copying answers or program codes is strictly prohibited. Programs must be well documented with useful comments. Excessive, insufficient, or useless comments in the program will result in deducted points.

• Exam:
  

  The course includes one midterm and one final examination, scheduled as listed on the Canvas Schedule page. Each exam covers all the material discussed in the course until the day of the examination. Unless announced otherwise, all exams are closed-book examinations. No books, notes, computers, calculators, cell phones, or any other devices are allowed. Final examinations are administered during examination week at the time announced in the schedule of classes.
  

• Grading Policy:
  

  The course grade is determined by the following components:
  • 50% Assignments
  • 20% Midterm
  • 30% Final examination
  If the course is taken as Pass/No Pass, you must receive a 70% or higher total weighted grade in the course to Pass.

• COVID-19 Guidelines:
  

  This course follows all health guidelines and reporting guidelines defined by Chapman University:
  https://custayinghealthy.chapman.edu/student-info
  

Academic Honesty:

Chapman University is a community of scholars that emphasizes the mutual responsibility of  all members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own work, and academic dishonesty of any kind will be subject to sanction by the instructor/administrator and referral to the University's Academic Integrity Committee, which may impose additional sanctions up to and including expulsion. Please review the full description of Chapman University's policy on see https://www.chapman.edu/academics/academic-integrity/index.aspx .

You are encouraged to collaborate and share ideas but all work is to be done individually unless otherwise specified. Copying program code is strictly prohibited.

Course Materials:

All course material is for use in the context of this course only. Selling, preparing, or distributing for any commercial purpose course lecture notes or video or audio recordings of any course unless authorized by the University in advance and explicitly permitted by the course instructor in writing. The unauthorized sale or commercial distribution of course notes or recordings by a student is a violation of these Policies whether or not it was the student or someone else who prepared the notes or recordings.

Chapman University's Students with Disabilities Policy:

In compliance with ADA guidelines, students who have any condition, either permanent or temporary, that might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services. If you will need to utilize your approved accommodations in this class, please follow the proper notification procedure for informing your professor(s). This notification process must occur more than a week before any accommodation can be utilized. Please contact Disability Services at (714) 516-4520 if you have questions regarding this procedure, or for information and to make an appointment to discuss and/or request potential accommodations based on documentation of your disability. Once formal approval of your need for an accommodation has been granted, you are encouraged to talk with your professor(s) about your accommodation options. The granting of any accommodation will not be retroactive and cannot jeopardize the academic standards or integrity of the course.

Chapman University’s Equity and Diversity Policy:

Chapman University is committed to ensuring equality and valuing diversity. To access information part of Chapman's DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiative, including on-campus resources, student-driven clubs, faculty and staff advocates, and how to report a concern or incident, please view the Diversity and Inclusion Resources. Students and professors are reminded to show respect at all times as outlined in Chapman’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Prevention Policy.  Any violations of this policy should be discussed with the professor, the Dean of Students and/or otherwise reported in accordance with this policy.

Religious Accommodation:

Religious Accommodation at Chapman University Consistent with our commitment of creating an academic community that is respectful of and welcoming to persons of differing backgrounds, we believe that every reasonable effort should be made to allow members of the university community to fulfill their obligations to the university without jeopardizing the fulfillment of their sincerely held religious obligations. Please review the syllabus early in the semester and consult with your faculty member promptly regarding any possible conflicts with major religious holidays, being as specific as possible regarding when those holidays are scheduled in advance and where those holidays constitute the fulfillment of your sincerely held religious beliefs.accordance with this policy.

Student Support at Chapman University:

Over the course of the semester, you may experience a range of challenges that interfere with your learning, such as problems with friend, family, and or significant other relationships; substance use; concerns about personal adequacy; feeling overwhelmed; or feeling sad or anxious without knowing why. These mental health concerns or stressful events may diminish your academic performance and/or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. You can learn more about the resources available through Chapman University's Student Psychological Counseling Services here: https://www.chapman.edu/students/health-and-safety/psychological-counseling

Fostering a community of care that supports the success of students is essential to the values of Chapman University. Occasionally, you may come across a student whose personal behavior concerns or worries you, either for the student's well-being or yours. In these instances, you are encouraged to contact the Chapman University Student Concern Intervention Team who can respond to these concerns and offer assistance: https://www.chapman.edu/students/health-and-safety/student-concern/index.aspx . While it is preferred that you include your contact information so this team can follow up with you, you can submit a report anonymously.  24-hour emergency help is also available through Public Safety at 714-997-6763