COMPUTATIONAL

SCIENCE
Prepared by: Rogelio M. Dagaraga Jr.
Computational
Science
is the application of computer science and software engineering principles to solving scientific
problems. It involves the use of computing hardware, networking, algorithms, programming,
databases and other domain-specific knowledge to design simulations of physical phenomena to run
on computers.
Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
What is Simulation?

It is the process of modeling, building a model, but its only part of it. To actually simulate, it to take
the model and play with it. In other words we are conducting experiments with this model.

1. Designing a model of a real system.

2. Conduct experiments with this model.

It means model building + experimenting, or generating data with the model.

Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
Why Simulate?

Simulation allows you to explore 'what if' questions and scenarios without having to experiment on
the system itself. It helps you to identify bottlenecks in material, information and product flows. It
helps you to gain insight into which variables are most important to system performance.

Simulation modeling solves real-world problems safely and efficiently. It provides an important
method of analysis which is easily verified, communicated, and understood. Across industries and
disciplines, simulation modeling provides valuable solutions by giving clear insights into complex
systems.
Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
Here are basic general goals of a simulation study

The objective of a simulation experimentation may be:

1. Estimation of some quantity or measure of effectiveness.
2. To gain an understanding of the behavior of the system.
3. Evaluation of various alternative strategies.

Now, that we know that simulation is the process of modeling, and conducting experiments with the model. Let
us put Simulation aside, Let us first know…

What is a Model
Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
What is a Model?

It is a representation of a real-world entity but not the “real thing” itself. This definition, necessarily vague,
encompasses just any type of model. A model is built for studying, built as an example.

Some Models
Ex. 1. Blueprint – is a model of a building, of a room, it’s a two dimensional model of a 3 dimensional reality.
Ex. 2. Virtual Worlds / Games – Life in either an online or offline games. Ex. Counter Strike, representation of a
real-world war between a Terrorist and Military/Counter Terrorist but not the real thing itself.
Ex. 3. Flight Simulator
Types of Models

There are a lot of different types of models. Simulation is just one of them. Let’s try to classify models to
understand more about them.

Physical models: Physical modeling is a way of modeling and simulating systems that consist of real physical
components. e.g., full-scale mockup for training pilots / flight simulator.

Scaled models: A scale model is a version of something where all the measurements have been shrunk or
enlarged by the same amount. A toy car, for example, is a scale model of a real-world car. You can see how all the
parts have been shrunk by the same amount.

Analog models: In analog models, individual electrical or mechanical elements represent a biological function.
For example, an analog muscle model might use springs and friction elements to represent a muscle's elastic and
viscous elements.
Schematic models: is a pictorial representation of a system. Schematic Model is a diagram in model from. A
schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols
rather than realistic pictures. Ex. Blueprint.

Management Games / Virtual Worlds: Games that are designed to mimic activities you'd see in the real world.
The purpose of the game may be to teach you something.

Simulation models: Simulation modeling solves real-world problems safely and efficiently. It provides an
important method of analysis which is easily verified, communicated, and understood. Across industries and
disciplines, simulation modeling provides valuable solutions by giving clear insights into complex systems.
Mathematical models: is the process of using various mathematical structures – graphs, equations, diagrams,
scatterplots, tree diagrams, and so forth – to represent real world situations. The model provides an abstraction
that reduces a problem to its essential characteristics.

Heuristic models: are mental shortcuts that allow people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and
efficiently. These rule-of-thumb strategies shorten decision-making time and allow people to function without
constantly stopping to think about their next course of action.
Classifying Models – A Cross-Disciplinary Tree
1. Concrete, or physical models can be two-
dimensional or three-dimensional.

2. Abstract models can be analytical formulas,

those of statistics, or queuing. The numerical
models used in simulations. It has I/O
transformation.

3. Mimetic models are those that involve imitation

of life or the creation of alternative universes.
a. Man-machine models are most gaming models
and virtual reality environments.

b. Man-man models includes psychology and education, ex. Role playing, role models, and what-if scenarios
used in the military, law enforcement, and intelligence communities.

c. Art fiction film, these models may represent a version of the world as it really is or, often, an alternative
version of the world as the author or artist imagines it to be.
Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
What makes a Model?

What do all these models have in common? An examination of the various models represented in the
classification tree reveals that there is indeed some commonality in the way these very different fields process
information.
Each model:
Is a view of reality
Has a purpose
Employs abstraction, structure, and information hiding

In addition, each model alters reality to some degree. Even physical models, which we may expect to be fairly
good representations, may be faster, slower, larger, or smaller than the reality they supposed to represent.
Abstraction models reality or, at the very least, a chosen view of reality in which irrelevant objects or properties
are ignored making the model simpler conceptually and easier to study, manipulate, and implement.
Introduction to Modeling
and Simulation
Abstraction & Information Hiding
The general model governing abstraction is the so-
called black box model. In this model, a set of inputs
is mapped to a set of outputs or results by means of a
transform. To use the transform, once it has been
built, one does not need to know how it works, only
that it works.
For example, we do not need to understand much
about electricity to know that when we flip the light
switch (input), the bulb will light up (output).
Television, System Unit, Cellphone, Car, Any
Machine…
All abstraction uses the concept of information
hiding. When models are well designed, they are
relatively independent. Unneeded information may be
hidden from the user, protecting the integrity of
individual systems and reducing the confusion that
comes along with too much information. (The more I
know, the less I understand).
Abstraction allows one to ignore the tedious and
possibly irrelevant details (at least temporarily) and
concentrate on the larger picture.
Further Characteristics of Models

Static vs Dynamic. Does the model have a time element, does it “move” over time?
A static model describes the static structure of the system being modeled, which is considered less likely to change than
the functions of the system.
The dynamic model is used to express and model the behavior of the system over time.

Deterministic vs. Stochastic.

Deterministic models allows you to calculate a future event exactly, without the involvement of randomness. If
something is deterministic, you have all of the data necessary to predict (determine) the outcome with certainty.
A stochastic simulation model has one or more random variables as inputs. Random inputs lead to random outputs.
Since outputs are random, they can be considered only as estimates of the true characteristics of a model.

Discrete vs Continuous.
Discrete. Variables change at distinct/noncontiguous points in time. A discrete unit is a separate part of something
larger. A room is a discrete space within a house, just as the crankshaft is a discrete part of a car engine. If something is
discrete, it has its own space.
Continuous. Variables change continuously.
System Simulation: Experimenting with an abstract model over time, this experimentation involving sampling from
probability distributions.

Discrete event simulation (DES) is a method of simulating the behavior and performance of a real-life process, facility
or system. It is a method used to model real world systems that can be decomposed into a set of logically separate
processes that autonomously progress through time. Each event occurs on a specific process, and is assigned a logical
time (a timestamp). The result of this event can be an outcome passed to one or more other processes. The content of
the outcome may result in the generation of new events to be processed at some specified future logical time.

DES – Discrete Event Simulation is Dynamic, Stochastic and Discrete

Types of Simulations
1. Analog simulation
2. Digital simulation

Analog and digital signals are used to transmit information, usually through electric signals. In both these technologies,
the information, such as any audio or video, is transformed into electric signals.

The difference between analog and digital technologies is that in analog technology, information is translated into
electric pulses of varying amplitude. In digital technology, translation of information is into binary format (zero or
one) where each bit is representative of two distinct amplitudes. Analog system uses continuous-time signals while
Digital system uses discontinuous-time signals for carrying information.

Analog vs Digital Examples:

- Clock/watch
- Thermometer
- Speedometer
- Recording
(The difference between analog and digital recording is analog is produced using tapes and manual recording
equipment. While digital uses a computer software program for music production to record, mix, master, and produce
music)
- Television
- Radio
That’s all for today
Thank You !!