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 register in the group "Main Registration" in TISS - preferrably before the initial meeting.
Participation in the initial meeting is compulsory.

Due to the covid situation, the course will be held in an adapted format. The in inital meeting will take place in zoom - the link to the meeting will be sent to the enrolled students via TISS message on the day of the initial meeting.
For the rest of the course, pre-recorded lecture units will be made available online at the start of each week. Every lecture week, there will be an additional live meeting where you will be able to ask questions about the respective lecture as well as about assignments and general course questions. 

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.