MAA Reviews

Principles of Modeling and Simulation: A Multidisciplinary Approach

John A. Sokolowski and Catherine M. Banks, editors

Publisher: John Wiley (2009)
Details: 259 pages, Hardcover
Price: $95.00
ISBN: 9780470289433
Category: Textbook
Topics: Mathematical Modeling, Simulation

[Reviewed by Jan E. Holly, on 05/19/2009]

Readers expecting a book on the areas of mathematical modeling and computer simulation will be surprised here to find a book on the engineering-oriented field of study that is named — not surprisingly — Modeling and Simulation. This is a growing field of concentration in engineering, with interest to mathematicians because of its obvious overlap with work performed by mathematicians, and also because of its availability for graduate study by math majors without prior engineering experience.

What is Modeling and Simulation, and how is it related to mathematical modeling? One answer is that the modeling focuses on simulation rather than on mathematical analysis. Another difference is that the field of Modeling and Simulation makes a point to include research on practical issues such as visual representation of information.

This book is a nice introduction to the field. The first chapter describes the history of wargames, beginning with the Roman Army, that ultimately led to the modern field of study, Modeling and Simulation. Subsequent chapters include different types of models and application to areas such as business and medicine.

The main complaint from a mathematician's viewpoint is that a reader might gain the impression that this book gives a general introduction to mathematical modeling, as the book largely fails to point out the relationship with, or even the existence of, the field of mathematical modeling with its many techniques besides simulation.

Jan Holly is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Colby College in Waterville, ME.