Program at a Glance
- Program
- Doctorate
- College(s)
- College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Department(s)
- Mod, Sim & Trng, School of
Become an Innovator in the World鈥檚 Hub for Modeling and Simulation
Advance Your Career
UCF鈥檚 doctorate in modeling and simulation gives you the education and training to establish your resaarch in an interdisciplinary environment that prepares you for pivotal roles in academia, government and industry, including defense, service and hospitality, entertainment, manufacturing, healthcare and K-12 education.
Graduates of the doctoral program also take faculty positions at academic institutions throughout the world to teach and conduct research.
Modeling and Simulation at UCF
UCF faculty, students, researchers and alumni are a vital force in expanding research and employing effective training solutions in simulations. Many graduates have been recognized by the National Center for Simulation, and alumni have gone on to take leadership positions in government and academia.
UCF鈥檚 doctorate in modeling and simulation program is grounded in human-centered rigorous research that generates new knowledge that is applied to real-world problems. Students publish their research in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
Doctoral students focus their study and research efforts in an area of interest guided by a Ph.D. advisor and dissertation committee. Examples include digital twins, geospatial simulation, cognition and self-regulated learning, human-computer interaction, supply chain and logistics, healthcare simulation, predictive analytics and machine learning, energy modeling, and visualization and immersive environments.
Where Graduates Work
Graduates have a number of opportunities in the field. Locally, Orlando is the fastest-growing metro for STEM jobs in the U.S., securing about $7 billion annually in modeling, simulation and training contracts involving top industry leaders including Lockheed, SAIC, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. Worldwide, simulation-based technology is used across a variety of fields, including aviation, aerospace, manufacturing defense, healthcare and gaming.
Simulators recreate experiences through computer-driven software and are often used for training. Learning through experience often results in better retention compared to reading or lectures, making simulation a valuable training tool for a wide range of fields, such as engineering, psychology, history, healthcare and public service.
Highlights
Course Overview
Mathematical Foundations of Modeling and Simulation
Provides analytical background material relevant to the M&S program. Emphasize critical thinking and problem solving, and conduct surveys on probability and statistics, linear algebra, and calculus.
Perspectives on Modeling and Simulation
Gain perspectives on the theory and practice of modeling and simulation with emphasis on specific topics of current interest.
Simulation Techniques
This course explores the foundations, examples, and hands-on tools for implementing solutions to various problems using three categories of simulation: discrete-event, continuous, and agent-based.
Research Design for Modeling and Simulation
Delve into the theoretical and practical aspects of interdisciplinary research methodologies as they relate to human-centered Modeling and Simulation.
Skills You'll Learn
- Build a deep understanding of mathematical, statistical, and computational modeling methods for studying complex systems.
- Develop technical skills for building simulation models across different simulation paradigms, platforms, and programming languages.
- Learn how to conduct literature reviews, identify research gaps, develop research questions and hypotheses, design experiments, analyze results, and present scholarly findings.
- Gain experience working across disciplines, with an emphasis on communication, project work, and research in a field that connects people, processes, and technology.
- Prepare to submit research to academic conferences and journals, defend research projects orally, and develop publication-ready scholarship.
Career Opportunities
- College Professor
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Program or Skill Researcher
