DA2410 Modeling for Military Decision Making, I

This course introduces mathematical modeling processes and concepts. Deterministic models in a graphical setting will be emphasized, including experimental modeling, curve fit-ting, and optimization. Applications include arms race models, Lanchester combat models, exponential growth and decay models, the Logistic model for social diffusion, supply/demand economic models, and inventory models. The computer is used as a tool with emphasis on the Excel spreadsheet package.

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: College algebra.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

Formal Analytics and Problem Solving: You will gain an appreciation of how you can apply analytical modeling techniques to support decision-making. In addition, you will gain an appreciation, through historical and contemporary military applications, of how you can apply these mathematical techniques to address contemporary issues of interest to the special operations community. At the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Summarize and describe data sets using appropriate statistics, graphs, and tables.
• Critique the application of mathematical modeling to inform decision-making on relevant topics.
• Formulate a complex real-world problem as a mathematical model.
• Solve mathematical models using various techniques including graphically and quantitatively.
• Interpret and present the results of mathematical models to aid the decision-making process.
• Develop mathematical models, using Microsoft Excel to support the decision-making process.