This course is open to third-year undergraduate and Advanced MSc and MSc Specialism students. It provides an introduction to system performance modelling using analytical, numerical and simulation-based techniques. The course provides an introduction to some of the theory underlying the various techniques, e.g. various forms of Markov/Semi-Markov processes, as well as exposure to practical applications and tools. The application areas are wide-ranging, although the emphasis is on the analysis of computer and communication systems using a variety of modelling paradigms such as discrete-event simulation, queueing theory, stochastic process algebras and stochastic Petri nets.
The course typically runs at the rate of four hours per week. Problem solving sessions are intermixed with the lectures. There are typically one or two assessed coursework exercises which count for 15% of the mark, the remaining 85% coming from a written examination.