A modern simulation course for business students

Simulation was often neglected in undergraduate business curricula for two reasons: (1) simulation was traditionally taught and used in engineering disciplines, and (2) business students lacked training in computer programming and quantitative skills. Powerful microcomputers and user-friendly simulation software have brought about new prospects for simulation modeling. To meet the needs of the modern business world, business schools should widely teach simulation modeling and analysis. I developed an intermediate simulation course at the National University of Singapore for upper-level-undergraduate or graduate business students. Early in the course, migrating from general-purpose spreadsheet modeling to special-purpose simulation modeling is a key step. Modeling real-world problems through team projects is the climax of the course. My rigorous and practical approach proves that students with no simulation or computer-programming background can handle even an intermediate course.