Academic Catalog

2024-2025

Master of Science Engineering with a Concentration in Modeling and Simulation (MS)

The master's degree in modeling and simulation (M&S) emphasizes a strong, common subject core while providing the student with the flexibility to design a plan of study to meet each individual's study objectives and needs. The purpose of the program's subject core is to provide a common academic foundation for all simulation students. Thus, all students in this program will have grounding in the same methods, principles, and philosophy of simulation. This provides the mechanisms for the simulationist to work across disciplines and domains while maintaining a common frame of reference for communication, technical specialization, and advanced study and research. The Master of Science (MS) in Modeling and Simulation offers two options: Thesis Option and Course Option.  The Thesis Option requires six hours of thesis credit and 24 hours of course credit and it is directed primarily at full-time students who are preparing for a career in advanced M&S research and/or academic positions.  The Course Option requires 30 hours of course credit and it is focused on developing the practical skills and knowledge needed to solve problems requiring applications of modeling and simulation.  The Course Option is further divided into two tracks: Development Track and Application Track.  The Development Track is programming intensive and prepares students for advanced simulation development, while the Application Track focuses on the usage of existing advanced simulation tools.

The program's subject core consists of:

  1. an overview of modeling and simulation;
  2. an in-depth exploration of specific simulation methodological approaches;
  3. simulation system modeling principles and techniques;
  4. an introduction to computer visualization and visual simulation; and,
  5. principles of stochastic analysis.

Most courses are offered in an online format. They are delivered to Old Dominion University's higher education centers and are available synchronously using video teleconferencing software.