After successful completion of the course, students are able to describe the conceptes and techniques which are presented in the section ”Contents“ with technical vocabulary.

Furthermore, students can

• asses the complexity of various economic and socio-economic systems and processes,
• asses the suitability of different simulation methods to map, describe, explain and simulate such systems,
• apply different simulation techniques to study simple socio-economic systems,
• create, simulate and analyze simple models of socio-economic systems with heterogeneous agents.

Furthermore the students can

• independently solve assigned tasks on time,
• communicate and justify the prepared solutions,
• create simple simulations and models in small work groups.

Basic concepts of computational social simulation especially agent based simulation in a socio-economic context:

• Introduction to the simulation of social and socioeconomic systems
• Overwiew and comparison of selected methods of comptational social simulation
• Basics of the system dynamics simulation approach (SD)
• Basics of selected bottom-up simulation techniques (Microsimulation, CA)
• Introduction to agent based modelling (ABM)
• Conducting experiments with agent based simulations
• Introduction to simulation result analysis
• Introduction to social network analysis with regard to computer simulations
• Introduction to basic agent-based computer simulation software (Netlogo)

• Lecture units that present the most important concepts, terms and methods
• Introduction to the usage of the Netlogo software package (freeware) and the Netlogo simulation language
• Groupwork concerning deepening the knowledge of the relevant basic concepts and methods
• Groupwork concerned with the execution of simulation experiments using simulation software and existing simulation models
• Groupwork concerned with the creating of a simple simulation

Please enrol in/register for the course in TISS - preferrably before the initial meeting.
Participation in the initial meeting is compulsory.

  --- Please note that this year (2024), due to timing issues, the initial meeting & the first lecture will be held at the same day / in one unit, so please plan for a full lecture (90-120 min) --

The group exercise part has to be worked on in groups of 3-4 students in the form of three homework assignments, each requiring the writing of a report. Furthermore, the lecture part requires passing a written individual exam.

No official requirements, understanding of basic economic concepts helpful, basic programming skills required

Students of all curricula with an interest in complex social systems are welcome.