Modeling and simulation Modeling and simulation ( M & S ) is getting information about how something will behave without actually testing it in real life . For instance , if we wanted to design a racecar , but weren ' t sure what type of spoiler would improve traction the most , we would be able to use a computer simulation of the car to estimate the effect of different spoiler shapes on the coefficient of friction in a turn . We ' re getting useful insights about different decisions we could make for the car without actually building the car . More generally , M & S is using models , including emulators , prototypes , simulators , and stimulators , either statically or over time , to develop data as a basis for making managerial or technical decisions . The terms " modeling " and " simulation " are often used interchangeably . The use of modeling and simulation ( M & S ) within engineering is well recognized . Simulation technology belongs to the tool set of engineers of all application domains and has been included in the body of knowledge of engineering management . M & S has already helped to reduce costs , increase the quality of products and systems , and document and archive lessons learned . M & S is a discipline on its own . Its many application domains often lead to the assumption that M & S is pure application . This is not the case and needs to be recognized by engineering management experts who want to use M & S . To ensure that the results of simulation are applicable to the real world , the engineering manager must understand the assumptions , conceptualizations , and implementation constraints of this emerging field . Interest in simulations . Technically , simulation is well accepted . The 2006 National Science Foundation ( NSF ) Report on “ Simulation - based Engineering Science ” showed the potential of using simulation technology and methods to revolutionize the engineering science . Among the reasons for the steadily increasing interest in simulation applications are the following : Modeling and Simulation as an Emerging Discipline . " The emerging discipline of M & S is based on developments in diverse computer science areas as well as influenced by developments in System Theories , Systems Engineering , Software Engineering , Artificial Intelligence , and more . This foundation is as diverse as that of engineering management and brings elements of art , engineering , and science together in a complex and unique way that requires domain experts to enable appropriate decisions when it comes application or development of M & S technology in the context of this paper . The diversity and application - oriented nature of this new discipline some - times results in the challenge , that the supported application domains themselves already have vocabularies in place that are not necessarily aligned between disjunctive domains . A comprehensive and concise representation of concepts , terms , and activities is needed that make up a professional Body of Knowledge for the M & S discipline . Due to the broad variety of contributors , this process is still ongoing . " Padilla et al . recommend in " Do we Need M & S Science " to distinguish between M & S Science , Engineering , and Applications . Modeling and Simulation in Pharmacy Education . The shortage of pharmacists in the United States has prompted increases in class sizes and the number of satellite and distance - learning programs at colleges and schools of pharmacy . This rapid expansion has created a burden on existing clinical experimental sites . The Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education ( ACPE ) requires at least 1440 hours of advanced pharmacy practice experience ( APPE ) ; included among the 1440 hours of APPE , the ACPE requires colleges and schools of pharmacy to provide a minimum of 300 hour of introductory pharmacy practice experience ( IPPE ) interspersed throughout the first three years of the pharmacy curriculum . Simulation training may be one such model to provide students with the opportunity to apply didactic knowledge and reduce the burden on experiential sites . The inclusion of simulation in IPPEs has gained acceptance and is encourages by ACPE as describe in the Policies and Procedures for ACPE Accreditation of Professional Degree Programs – January 2010 . Addendum 1 . 3 , Simulations for Introductory Pharmacy Practices Experiences – Approved June 2010 , states : Several pharmacy colleges and schools have incorporated simulation as part of their core curricula . At the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy , high - fidelity patient simulators are used to reinforce therapeutics . While the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy integrated their simulation program into their pharmacology and medicinal chemistry coursework ; and was the first college of pharmacy to purchase a high - fidelity patient simulator . Some pharmacy colleges and schools host virtual reality and full environment simulation programs . For example , Purdue University School of Pharmacy and the university ’ s Envision Center for Data Perceptualization collaborated with the United States Pharmacopeia ( USP ) to create a virtual clean room that is USP 797 standards compliant . " M & S Science " contributes to the Theory of M & S , defining the academic foundations of the discipline . . < li > " M & S Engineering " is rooted in Theory but looks for applicable solution patterns . The focus is general methods that can be applied in various problem domains . < li > " M & S Applications " solve real world problems by focusing on solutions using M & S . Often , the solution results from applying a method , but many solutions are very problem domain specific and are derived from problem domain expertise and not from any general M & S theory or method . Application Domains . There are many categorizations possible , but the following taxonomy has been very successfully used in the defense domain , and is currently applied to medical simulation and transportation simulation as well . A special use of " Analyses Support " is applied to ongoing business operations . Traditionally , decision support systems provide this functionality . Simulation systems improve their functionality by adding the dynamic element and allow to compute estimates and predictions , including optimization and what - if analyses . Individual Concepts . Although the terms “ modeling ” and “ simulation ” are often used as synonyms within disciplines applying M & S exclusively as a tool , within the discipline of M & S both are treated as individual and equally important concepts . Modeling is understood is the purposeful abstraction of reality , resulting in the formal specification of a conceptualization and underlying assumptions and constraints . M & S is in particular interested in models that are used to support the implementation of an executable version on a computer . The execution of a model over time is understood as the simulation . While modeling targets the conceptualization , simulation challenges mainly focus on implementation , in other words , modeling resides on the abstraction level , whereas simulation resides on the implementation level . Conceptualization and implementation – modeling and simulation – are two activities that are mutually dependent , but can nonetheless be conducted by separate individuals . Management and engineering knowledge and guidelines are needed to ensure that they are well connected . Like an engineering management professional in systems engineering needs to make sure that the systems design captured in a systems architecture is aligned with the systems development , this task needs to be conducted with the same level of professionalism for the model that has to be implemented as well . Academic Modeling and Simulation Programs . Modeling and Simulation has only recently become an academic discipline of its own . Formerly , those working in the field usually had a background in engineering . The following institutions offer degrees in Modeling and Simulation : Ph D . Programs Masters Programs Professional Science Masters Programs Undergraduate Programs Modeling and Simulation Body of Knowledge . The " Modeling and Simulation Body of Knowledge " ( M & S BoK ) is the domain of knowledge ( information ) and capability ( competency ) that identifies the modeling and simulation ( M & S ) community of practice and the M & S profession , industry , and market . The M & S BoK Index is a set of pointers providing handles so that subject information content can be denoted , identified , accessed , and manipulated . The development of M & S BoK Indices has been championed by SimSummit . Summary . In summary , three activities have to be conducted and orchestrated to ensure success : a model must be produced that captures formally the conceptualization , a simulation must implement this model , and management processes must ensure that model and simulation are interconnected and on the current state ( which means that normally the model needs to be updated in case the simulation is changed as well ) . The military and defense domain , in particular within the United States , has been the main M & S champion , in form of funding as well as application of M & S . E . g . , M & S in modern military organizations is part of the acquisition / procurement strategy . Specifically , M & S is used to conduct Events and Experiments that influence Requirements and Training for military Systems . As such , M & S is considered an integral part of systems engineering of military Systems . Other application domains , however , are currently catching up . M & S in the fields of medicine , transportation , and other industries is poised to rapidly outstrip DoD ’ s use of M & S in the years ahead , if it hasn ’ t already happened .