Professional Development

History of modeling & simulation

First uses of M&S. Focus on defense M&S. Early flight simulation, SIMNET, wargaming.

Modeling & simulation definitions

Definition of terms common in M&S.

Basic modeling methods

Preview of topics to follow; agent-based, physics, stochastic, etc.

Application areas and paradigms

Overview of the key functional areas for which M&S is used in DOD.

Analysis

Acquisition

Training

Standards and guidelines for VV&A

VV&A overview and guidelines

Procedures for VV&A

VV&A process

Continuous education

Distance learning, integrating education with training

Theoretical Foundations

Probability & statistics

Basic stats and probs for all flavors of M&S

Data analysis

Techniques for analyzing data, historical, logged, experimental, etc.

Experimental Design

Developing and executing an experiment.

Model formulation

Identifying the question and how it will be answered.

Metrics and measurements

Determining measures and controlling variables

Reporting results

Methods for reporting experimental results

Stochastic models

Regression models

Linear Algebra

Pattern Recognition

Simulation Software Development

Computer programming

Basic programming skills

Requirements specification

Developing a specification for software development

Software design

Designing complex software products for reuse and maintainability

Software tools and environments

Introduction to dev tools and techniques

Software evolution and lifecycle

Follow a software product through design, implementation, deployment, maintenance, and retirement

Testing

Testing software for quality.

Discrete Event Simulation

Queuing theory models

Basic queuing theory principles

DES tools and examples

Tools (SIMkit, Viskit, others) with practical examples

Modeling uncertainty

Methods for modeling uncertainty in data

Combat Modeling

DoD simulations

OneSAF, Combat XXI, NSS, JCATS, etc. Agent models -- MANA, Pythagoras

Wargaming

Traditional and modern wargaming techniques and uses

Composability

Composability in combat modeling systems, with examples from modern systems

Aggregation of models

Aggregating models from individual, to squad, unit, etc.

Trends in DoD simulation

Modular architectures, use of open source, asymetric warfare models, etc.

Visual Simulation

Real-time computer graphics

Principles of real-time interactive computer graphics

Virtual environments

HMDs, CAVEs, trackers, integration issues, application areas, etc.

Visualization techniques

Visualization techniques, interaction, data exploration

Performance issues

Maintaining interactive performance

Computer game technologies

Game engines, level editing tools, game design

Distributed Simulation

HLA, DIS. Adaptive networking

HLA and DIS protocols for interoperability and data logging

Live-Virtual-Constructive integration

Mixing live, virtual, and constructive simulations, interoperability issues with this.

C4ISR-simulation integration

C4I to simulation interoperability

Interoperability

Basic interoperability issues, GIG, Net-centric warfare

Basic network application programming

Network programming at the application level

Event synchronization

Synchronizing events across a distributed interactive simulation

Web-based simulation, XML

XML uses in web services, interoperability, web architecture

Intelligent Systems

Fundamentals of intelligent systems

Basic artificial intelligence techniques

Knowledge representation and reasoning

Representing knowledge, predicate logic, statistical reasoning, planning

Machine learning

Adaptive algorithms for learning

Agent-Based Systems

Multi-agent systems, complex adaptive systems, etc.

Intelligent tutoring systems

ITS design, implementation, and usage.

Planning and search

Robotics

Machine Vision

Sensor Data Models

Human Behavior Representation

Cognitive architectures

Architectures for modeling how people think

Team (group) models

Modeling groups of people, from small teams to crowds.

Organizational modeling

Modeling a functional organization; military, business, etc.

Perceptual models

Modeling human perception at individual and group levels.

Environmental Models

Terrain representation

Modeling environmental terrain, surface, subsurface

Deformable models

Deforming terrain on the fly

Vegetation representation

Representing trees, undergrowth, etc.

Cultural features

Road networks, infrastructure, cities, etc.

Atmospheric and weather effects

Fog, haze, rain, snow, etc.

Ocean models

Wave models, wakes, current, etc.

Sensor models

Propagation, error distributions

Object Models

Vehicle models

Ships, wheeled vehicles, aircraft, UAVs

Physics models

Physically-based models applied to any type of object or environment

Human models

Anthropomorphic and biomechanical modeling, Jack, Santos, social models, etc.

Weapons and ballistics models

Smart weapons, ballistic weapons, etc.

Information models

Human Performance

Training

Team training

Training teams or groups of people

Training transfer

The transfer of skill or knowledge from a training environment to a real task and real environment

Simulation for Training

The use of simulation for a training outcome

Measuring performance

Metrics and measurement techniques for human performance and group performance

Exercise design and implementation

Designing exercises -- small teams to large-scale

Sensation, perception, & cognition

Basic psychology fundamentals

Memory and learning

Human memory and learning functions

Decision making theories

How people make decisions

Expertise

Models of expertise and the development of expertise

Usability engineering

Design and testing for usability

Simulator sickness

Identifying, measuring, avoiding sim sickness

Non-traditional interfaces

Camera-based, cognitive augmented interfaces, etc.

Business Practices

Program management

Basic program management principles, managing R&D

Requirements specification

Developing requirements

Planning and scheduling

Basic planning and scheduling, working with contractors and disparate teams

Cost estimation

Estimating cost and identifying risk

Testing for acceptance

Determining if the product fits the requirements, accreditation

Maintenance

Maintaining simulation systems over the lifetime of use

Disruptive technologies and innovation

Disruptive technology theory and innovation in M&S

Notes

Underlined topics are considered required

Others are advanced topics