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Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) - Curriculum 399

Program Officer

LTC Charles P. Rowan, Ph.D., USA

Watkins Hall, Room 274

(831) 656-7872, DSN 756-7872

charles.rowan@nps.edu

Academic Associate

Chris Darken, Ph.D.

Code CS/Cd, Watkins Hall, Room 382

(831) 656-2095, DSN 756-2095 

cjdarken@nps.edu

Brief Overview

The Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Academic Program of the Naval Postgraduate School provides the MS student both fundamental and specialized courses in applied visual simulation technology, combat models and systems, and the application of quantitative analyses to training and simulation technology.

The MS program is an eight-quarter program whose core covers the fundamentals of modeling and simulation, data analysis, visual simulation, intelligent systems, training, and human performance. These topics include object-oriented programming, probability, statistics, stochastic modeling, data analysis, acquisition and program management, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, simulation and training, and combat modeling systems. The MS student demonstrates depth by the completion of a written thesis.

Requirements for Entry

A baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent, with above average grades in mathematics (including differential and integral calculus), resulting in an APC of at least 325 is required for entry. Undergraduate degrees in applied science or engineering are highly desirable. Students lacking these prerequisites may be acceptable for the program, through the 12-week technical refresher or 12-week Engineering Science program, providing their undergraduate records and/or other indicators of success, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), indicate an ability to work in quantitative subjects. While previous academic or practical experience in modeling, virtual environments, and simulation is certainly helpful and can enhance the applicant's potential for admission, such experience is not a prerequisite.

Convenes

MOVES is an eight-quarter course of study starting annually in July. If further information is needed, contact the MOVES Academic Associate or the MOVES Program Officer for this curriculum.

Degree

Master of Science in Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation

The degree of Master of Science in Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation is awarded after satisfactory completion of a program which satisfies, as a minimum, the following degree requirements:

  1. At least 40 quarter-hours of graduate-level work, of which at least 12 quarter-hours must be at the 4000 level.
  2. Completion of an approved sequence of courses constituting specialization in an area of Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation.
  3. Completion of an acceptable thesis in addition to the required course work.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation are met as a milestone en-route to satisfying the Educational Skill Requirements established by the sponsor for the curricular program.

Completion of the eight-quarter sequence of courses specified below is required to satisfy the Educational Skill Requirements for the Navy 6202P code and Marine MOS 8825.

Subspecialty

Completion of this curriculum qualifies an officer as a modeling, virtual environments, and simulation subspecialist with a Navy subspecialty code of 6202P or Marine Corps MOS 8825.

Marine Corps MOS 8825.

Typical Subspecialty Jobs

TBD

Course of Study

(MOVES (399) Matrix, All Students)

Quarter 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
CS2020Introduction to Programming

3

2
MA1113Single Variable Calculus I

4

0
MA1114Single Variable Calculus II with Matrix Algebra

4

0
MV3101Introduction to Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation

4

0
MV2921Introduction to Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

2

0

Quarter 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
CS2072Fundamental Object Oriented Programming in JavaScript

4

1
OS3111Probability and Statistics for HSI and MOVES

4

0
MA2025Bridge to Advanced Mathematics

4

1
SE3100Fundamentals of Systems Engineering

3

2

Quarter 3

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
CS2173Java as a Second Language

4

1
OS3113Data Analysis for HSI and MOVES

4

1
MV3025Artificial Intelligence for Simulations

4

1
MV3202Introduction to Computer Graphics

3

2
MV3922Introduction to Virtual Environment Technology

2

0

Quarter 4

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
OS3112Statistics and Design of Experiments

4

2
MV3203Graphical Simulation

3

2
MV3302Introduction to Discrete Event Simulation Modeling

4

1
MV3923Introduction to Research in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation

2

0
MV4002Simulation and Training

4

1

Quarter 5

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MV4025Cognitive and Behavioral Modeling for Simulations

3

2
MV4502Simulation Development Practicum

2

4
MV3500Internetwork Communications and Simulation

3

2
MV4501Simulation Application Practicum

2

4
MV4924Current Topics in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation

1

1

Quarter 6

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
OA4655Introduction to Joint Combat Modeling

4

0
MV0810Thesis Research

0

8
MV4001Human Factors of Virtual Environments

4

1
MV4503Simulation Interoperability Practicum

2

4
MV4924Current Topics in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation

1

1

Quarter 7

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MN3331Principles of Acquisition and Program Management

5

1
MV0810Thesis Research

0

8
MV4504Design and Implementation of Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) Events

2

4
MV4920Advanced Topics in Advanced Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

V

V
MV4924Current Topics in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation

1

1

MN3331: DOD students only. Non-DOD students take MN3031 instead. 

Quarter 8

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MV0810Thesis Research

0

8
MV0810Thesis Research

0

8
OA4604Wargaming Applications

3

2
MV4460Management of Modeling & Simulation Development

4

0
MV4924Current Topics in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation

1

1

Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)

Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) - Curriculum 399

Subspecialty Code: 6202P / MOS: 8825

The MOVES curriculum prepares students to be the Department of Defense's experts in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation. They are able to provide both technical and managerial leadership in all areas of simulation development, sustainment, and application. Their rigorous technical background enables them to quickly adapt to a rapidly evolving technical landscape.
  1. Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Foundations: The graduate will understand the capabilities, limitations, history, and terminology of the M&S domain. The graduate will understand the concepts and applicability of wargaming, simulation tools, conceptual models, statistical models, discrete modeling, artificial intelligence, physics-based modeling, visual representation, and data standards to complex problems within the military domain. This understanding will be based in probability theory, calculus, linear algebra, and data analysis techniques that will enable the graduate to fully understand modeling of uncertainty and randomness within these complex domains.
  2. M&S in the DoD: The graduate will have a thorough understanding of the DoD M&S organizations, current policies, and M&S trends at both the DoD and individual Service levels. Moreover, the graduate will understand and be able to apply the capabilities and limitations of simulations across the DoD M&S application domains. In addition, the graduate will understand the process of verification, validation and accreditation (VV&A), particularly current industry best practices. Finally, the graduate will have a solid understanding of information assurance and cyber security policies, organizations, requirements, and vulnerabilities, with particular emphasis on who is responsible for cyber security in the military structure and how M&S interfaces with that structure.
  3. Models and Modeling Techniques: The graduate will understand the various modeling systems in current military use (e.g. queuing theory, discrete event simulation, detection and engagement models, and environmental models) with an emphasis on ballistic, weapon, terrain, vegetation, cultural, and weather effects on military concepts (i.e., mobility, survivability, and firepower) that achieve military objectives. The graduate will be able to practically apply techniques (both designing and programming) such as: event graphs; aggregate versus entity-level modeling; weapons effect modeling (e.g., blast, thermal, acoustic); high fidelity, destructible terrain within a virtual 3D environment. The graduate will understand the state of the art of abstract representations of culture, social relationships, and information structures in the military context including human communication and stability models in a political, military, economic, social, information, and infrastructure (PMESII) environment. Furthermore, the graduate will understand how physics can be modeled at varying degrees of resolution and the tradeoffs inherent to more simplified models. Finally, the graduate will understand the fundamentals of intelligent systems and machine learning in the context of agent-based systems.
  4. Simulation Software Development: The graduate will understand and have demonstrated the ability to: use systems engineering processes to specify operational, functional, and technical requirements; program and analyze software-intensive systems; incorporate traditional and non-traditional human system interface devices to include augmented reality un-occluded heads up displays (HUD) and motion capture. Additionally, they will be able to design and document conceptual models with the appropriate analysis of alternatives, and plan and execute both developmental and operational testing events in support of VV&A.
  5. Military Applications: The graduate will understand the capabilities and limitations of and have demonstrated the ability to apply M&S to training and analysis applications using simulations in current use by DoD Services, as practical. This understanding will include task-condition-standards methodologies for skills and staff actions within the appropriate training environment, including interfacing with (C4I) systems. The graduate will be able to plan, prepare, execute, and conduct after-action review training exercises using human performance evaluation techniques that ensure positive training transfer occurs. In addition, the graduate will be able to apply analysis simulations to answer a commander’s critical information requirements, including via wargaming (both seminar and simulation supported).
  6. Simulation Interoperability: The graduate will understand and be able to design distributed simulations in a net-centric environment, while considering hardware and software requirements, simulation data, control data, voice data, and technical standards for connectivity. In addition, the graduate will have a detailed understanding of simulation federations within LVC environments, with particular emphasis on capabilities, limitations, strengths, and weaknesses of modern single and mixed architectures. The graduate’s understanding will also include augmented reality, C4I stimulation, basic networking architectures and communication protocols, and standards for data and communication networks as well as the technical development processes, and open-source standard capabilities and limitations’ impacts on interoperability.
  7. Business Practices: The graduate will understand the underlying concepts, fundamentals and philosophies of the Department of Defense systems acquisition process and the practical application of program management methods within that process. Specifically, they will understand management characteristics and competencies, control policies and techniques, systems analysis methods, and functional area concerns. The graduate will gain a program management perspective on the evolution and current state of: systems acquisition management; the system acquisition life cycle; requirements analysis; contract management; resource management; test and evaluation; user-producer acquisition management disciplines and activities; and program planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling processes.
  8. Thesis: The graduate will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and analysis in the area of M&S and proficiency in presenting the results in writing by means of a thesis appropriate to this curriculum.

Curriculum Sponsor and ESR Approval Authority

USN - Director, Navy Modeling and Simulation Office (NMSO); USMC - Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (CD&I).