Course syllabus for Modelling and simulation

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-10 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameModellering och simulering
  • CodeESS101
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSYS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyAutomation and Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering
  • DepartmentELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 35127
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH
4.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 01 Nov 2024 am J
  • 09 Jan 2025 am J
  • 25 Aug 2025 am J
0207 Laboratory 3 c
Grading: UG
3 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge in dynamical systems, automatic control, linear transforms, mechanics and electric circuits.

Aim

Modeling and simulation are important tools supporting engineers in the development of complex systems, from early study of the system concept (when the system possibly does not exist yet) to model-based control design and optimization of system performance. Application areas where modeling and simulation are fundamental tools are, just to mention a few, control, automotive, biomedical, mechanical, chemical engineering. The aim of the course is to provide solid theoretical basis and practical approaches to systematically develop mathematical models of engineering systems from basic physical laws and from experimental data and to use them for simulation purposes.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

The aim of the course is introducing methods and principles to construct mathematical models of dynamical systems and numerically simulate them.

The course includes modeling methods based on basic physical principles as well as system identification, i.e., based on measured data from sensors. Numerical simulation methods are studied, with particular emphasis on accuracy and stability.

  • Use methods and tools to develop mathematical models of dynamical systems by using basic physical laws. The emphasis will be on complex mechanical systems.
  • Study advance forms of differential equations used in modeling.
  • Study the principles behind estimating parameters using data.
  • Use methods and tools to develop mathematical models of dynamical systems from measurement data.
  • Understand and implement some of the numerical methods used in simulations

Content

The course covers the following topics: 

  • Background on dynamic systems and differential equations
  • Lagrange Modeling (principles and forms)
  • Differential-Algebraic equations (definition, treatment, differential index and index reduction)
  • The Newton method
  • System identification:
    • Max-likelihood and least-squares estimation
    • Parameter estimation for dynamics systems 
  • Numerical methods for solving differential equations
    • Explicit Runge-Kutta methods. Stability and order.
    • Implicit Runge-Kutta methods. Stability and order.
  • Advanced topics: sensitivity of simulations

Organisation

The course comprises approximately 20 lectures, exercise sessions, and 3 compulsory hand-in assignments.

Literature

  1. S. Gros: Lecture notes (compendium)
  2. T. Glad, L. Ljung: Modellbygge och simulering (Studentlitteratur). English version available. - Supplementary material.
  3. Griffiths, Higham: Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations, Springer, 2010 (freely available for download from Chalmers online Library)

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination is based on written exam, grading scale TH, and passed assignments.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.