312004 Praktische Übung - Simulationsstudien mit agent-basierten Modellen (Agent-based Modelling and Simulation) (Ü) (SoSe 2010)

Course Description

This course is the practical counter-part of the course on ”Advanced Computational Economics” (given simultaneously in Module 10 and 12), where we deal
with the theoretical aspects of agent-based modelling. Here, on the other hand,
students will get hands-on experience in model building. The focus will be on
practical research projects that apply agent-based modeling and simulation to
specific research questions.

This course consists of two parts:
1. Praktikum
2. Master seminar

In the Praktikum students do a research project using Agent-based Modelling and Simulation. In the Master Seminar they present the results. Possible projects include small-scale agent-based models build in FLAME, or numerical explorations of large-scale agent-based model like the EURACE macroeconomic simulator.

Course Objectives
The objective is to provide students with model developing skills that will allow
them design, implement and analyse agent-based models using the FLAME
modelling environment.

Course Topics
The course topics include:
• The basics of simulation design: the model development cycle and workflow.
• How to develop a model using state-of-the-art tools: FLAME, GUIs, Eclipse.
• How to perform computational experiments.
• How to analyze the results.

Useful link: http://www.flame.ac.uk/
Flexible Large-scale Agent Modelling Environment (FLAME)

Requirements for participation, required level

Students who wish to participate in the Praktikum/Master Seminar on agent-based modelling have to also register through eKVV for the course "Einführung in die Agent-Basierte Programmierung" (Tutorial in Agent-based Programming, 312909 ), which will be held during 4 days on April 6-9, 2010.

Bibliography

1. Managing Business Complexity: Discovering Strategic Solutions with Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation, by Michael J. North and Charles M. Macal, 2007.

2. A Course in Individual-based and Agent-based Modeling by Steven F. Railsback and Volker Grimm, 2010. Available online: http://www.railsback-grimm-abm-book.com/index.html

3. The C Programming Language - ANSI C (2nd Edition) by Kernighan and Ritchie, 1992.

4. Basics of C Programming online: http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/cclass/cclass.html