College of Engineering

Master of Engineering Management Program

Course Syllabus

Course Name: Operations Research & Simulation

Course Number: MEM 506
Course Pre-requisites:
Course Co-requisites:
Credit hours: 3

Instructor’s Name:
Telephone: Email:
Class Location: Class Time:
Office Location: Office Hours:

1. Course Description
This course covers computer simulation concepts and operations research modeling techniques, including problem
formulation and discrete event simulation modeling. It include the formulation of mathematical models, solutions
using linear programming, sensitivity and cost analysis of developing alternative optimum solutions, transportation
and network analysis, forecasting and stochastic modeling. The course includes case studies related to the topic and
a term project. It also applies the concepts and principles associated with systems modeling and simulation using
contemporary simulation software ARENA.

2. Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Apply concepts of computer simulation (7,8)

2. Apply techniques of Operations Research modeling with high level of competency (1, 5, 7)
3. Formulate a wide variety of real world problem using proper mathematical models (1, 5)
4. Use linear programming, sensitivity and cost analysis to develop alternative optimum solutions (1,7,8)
5. Apply transportation and network analyses, forecasting and stochastic modeling to model and simulate real
systems (7)
6. Formulate and solve problems in operational systems using a modeling language (7,8).

Fall 2022-23
MEM program Learning outcomes:

1 Demonstrate competency in managing and leading large-scale engineering projects.

2 Demonstrate understanding of the principles and concepts of strategic management.

Evaluate and control the quality of an engineering system using different quality standards and
3
techniques.

4 Apply concepts of engineering economics to make sound decisions on engineering alternatives.

5 Apply a decision support system to design and manage operations and supply chains.

Apply computer simulation concepts and operations research modeling techniques to a wide
6
variety of real world problems.

Identify and evaluate techniques and procedures for information management within and among
7
organizations.

Identify, analyze, evaluate and use accounting information for planning and control of
8
organizations from the senior management perspective.

Expected Learning Outcomes and Associated Measures

Course Learning Outcome Relevant Program Learning Outcome Assessment Tool(s)*

1- Apply concepts of computer
7, 8 Project
simulation
2- Apply techniques of Operations
Research modeling with high 1, 5, 7 Project
level of competency
3- Use linear programming, Assignments
sensitivity and cost analysis to
1, 7, 8
develop alternative optimum Exams
solutions
4- Use metrics and measurement- Assignments
based technique for quality 2, 3, 6
Exams
management
5- Apply transportation and
network analyses, forecasting
7 Project
and stochastic modeling to
model and simulate real systems
6- Formulate and solve problems
Assignments
in operational systems using a 7, 8
Exams
modeling language
*Please note that the assessment tool(s) are to be used in assessing the course learning outcomes.

Fall 2022-23
3. Course Content
Week Topics
1 Overview of Operations Research (Ch1)
1 Linear Programming: Formulation & Graphical Solutions (Ch2)
2 Computer Solution of LP (Ch3)
2 LP Applications (Ch4)
3 Exam 1 (20%)
3 Integer Programming (IP) (Ch5)
4 Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (Ch9)
4 Decision Analysis (Ch12)
5 Queuing Models (Ch13)
5 Exam 2 (20%)
6 Monte Carlo Simulation & Stochastic Processes (Ch14)
6 Discrete Event Simulation (production and service with ARENA)
Simulation Project Report, Presentation & Discussion

4. Pedagogy – Learning process

The instructors will not expect students to be passive recipients of information. They will expect
students to participate actively in their own learning. Learning activities will include lectures,
case studies that will be heavily considered in the evaluation of this course. Discussion sessions
will be also conducted during the class time to illustrate main concepts of the course and its
practical topics. Both group and individual work may be expected.

Students will also be expected to read the textbooks or other assigned reading outside of class
and to participate in the critical evaluation of the material through small-group and class
discussion and individual writing.
All students will be expected to read the assigned reading prior to attending class. All students will be expected to
be ready to participate in discussion and problem solving during the lectures. In lab, each student will normally
work with a partner and contribute equally to the learning process. Both will enter the programs into their computer
but the answers on the labs are to be discussed and debated until each is confident of the correct result.

5. Textbooks & Learning Material

a. Text Book
Introduction to Management Science, 13th/E, by Bernard W. Taylor, Publisher: Prentice Hall,
Copyright: 2018.

Fall 2022-23
 Simulation with Arena by W. Kelton, Randall Sadowski, and Nancy Swets, McGraw-Hill
Science/Engineering/Math; 5 edition (July 7, 2009), ISBN-10: 0073376280.

b. References
Hillier and Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, 8 th Ed, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2005. ISBN-
10: 0073376299
System Modeling and Simulation: An Introduction by Frank L. Severance, Wiley (2001), ISBN-10:
0471496944.

6. Assessment

Individual Assignments (HW 1 & HW2) 20%

(3, 4, 6)
Two Midterm Exams (3, 4, 6) 40%
Sim HW3 (developing and analyzing a 10%
simulation model for a queuing system) (2)
Simulation Term Project (Building detailed 30%
ARENA model of production/service
system) (1, 5)

7. Grading Key

Gra Percentage Description Grade Point

de
A 90-100 Excellent 4

B+ 85-89 Very good 3.5

B 80-84 Good 3
C+ 75-79 Very Satisfactory 2.5
C 70-74 Satisfactory 2
+
D 65-69 Fail
D 60-64 Fail
F Less than 60 F 0.0
I Incomplete 0.0

Fall 2022-23
8. Attendance

For all students, absence is marked at a maximum of 30% of total class time. Final dismissals (WA) will be posted
on the student’s academic record. The calculation of the absence percentage is based on the total number of class
meetings, regardless of the length of the meetings. For example, if a class meets once a week for 15 weeks, then a
student would need 5 absences to reach the 30% threshold.

Students will be considered absent if they do not arrive on time for a lesson. Taking attendance will start on the first
day of classes and will continue until the last day of classes in the semester.

Final Dismissal will not be waived under any circumstances. The Registrar's Office will accept excuses only from
students missing an exam/major assignment due to absence. Students will be permitted to take a make-up exam, if its
weight is at least 10% of the course total mark upon approval of a legitimate excuse.

Exams/Tests will be repeated when serious reasons similar to the following take place and documented evidence are
submitted to the Office of the Registrar on the day student returns to class.
 Hospitalization,
 Contagious Disease,
 Death, may God forbid, of an immediate family member (father, mother, sibling, husband, son, daughter,
grandparent),
 Car Accident,
 Job Requirement (special assignment), with prior written approval from the Office of the Registrar
 Al Haj

Al Umra

Al Umra trips are not valid excuses for students to be absent.

In the case of excused absence for a final exam, the student has to apply for an Incomplete (I) grade at the Office of
the Registrar within 48 hours of the exam

9. Academic Integrity
The mission of ADU includes developing students’ sense of ethics, morality, and social responsibility. Students at
ADU have the fundamental obligation to conduct themselves with utmost integrity. To ensure an education
environment characterized with Academic integrity (AI), ADU has revised its Academic Integrity Policy (AIP).

The revised Academic Integrity Policy (AIP) – copies available on the intranet under the link of the Office of
Academic Integrity (OAI) – has identified violations of AI punishable by serious penalties, including “dismissal”
from ADU. The types of violations identified in AIP, along with the description and examples of each violation,
are:

1. Cheating
2. Plagiarism
3. Fabrication of data
4. Presenting false credentials
5. Collusion
6. Free Riding

At the beginning of each semester, your instructor will review the essential elements of AIP in class and will
describe the intrinsic values of compliance, and the consequences of non-compliance (i.e., penalties) with the Policy.
In addition, OAI undertakes a widespread AI Awareness Campaign at the beginning of each semester to educate
students about AI issues and the ways students can avoid violations.

Fall 2022-23
In view of resources provided by ADU in this regard, all students are expected to strictly comply with the tenet of
AIP and conduct themselves with highest degree of integrity and ethical conduct. Students in need of additional
information or assistance are requested to seek help from OAI.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AIP will have severe consequences, including “dismissal” from ADU

10. Miscellaneous
 Mobile phones: A student whose mobile phone rings during class will be asked to leave the classroom and
will receive a half absence. Should this happen during an exam, the student will not be allowed to retake the
exam at another time, while at the same time receiving a full absence.
 Eating/Drinking/Smoking: Students will be requested to refrain from engaging in these activities while in
class.
 Only emails from university-provided email accounts will be recognized and used in this course.
 Students should be aware that for each hour of in-class time, a further two to three hours (on average) of
independent study (out-of-class time) is required.

Fall 2022-23