The McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences (MISS) is an
initiative of the Society for Modeling and Simulation
International (SCS).
The Institute is named after Mr. John McLeod, the founder of
the Society and the first editor of its journal, "Simulation".
The MISS consists of co-operating Centers active in
professionalism, research, education, and knowledge
dissemination in the modeling and simulation (M&S) domain.
Modeling and simulation (M&S) is an enabling technology for:
Decision making in system design, development,
optimization, control, and acquisition, as well as for
sensitivity analysis, planning, and prototyping
Understanding
Education and training to enhance decision making
and/or motor skills
Entertainment
Supporting real system operations
Enriching real system operations
The MISS aims to provide an organizational structure that will
serve to integrate and enrich, within its Centers, the activities of
modeling and simulation expertise throughout the world.
The mission of the MISS is to foster:
The professionalism in modeling and simulation
The advancement of the art and science of M&S
The usage of M&S in all domains of applicability
The education
The dissemination of M&S-related knowledge
The mechanisms to achieve this mission include:
Contributions to both the development of the
profession and to its recognition within the
scientific/technical community at large
Development and exchange of educational materials
(e.g., model curricula, and lecture material) and
teaching resources (e.g., software)
Dissemination of M&S knowledge through
publications and in conferences and seminars
Research projects carried out cooperatively by
multiple organizations within the MISS
The MISS provides a framework within which Centers
interested in modeling and simulation can interact, share
expertise, and work on problems of common interest.
Some noteworthy features of the MISS are as follows:
Professionalism:
The MISS endorses and promotes professionalism in M&S
and cooperates with other professional organizations in
activities promoting/enhancing professionalism in M&S.
The MISS supports professional ethics in M&S and
cooperates with other professional organizations with same
concern.
Education:
It provides a forum for the exchange of new ideas and
approaches in modeling and simulation education and
training.
It is concerned with the development of model curriculum
for M&S education. Development of such a curriculum is
also to ease exchange of students and faculty members at
national and international level.
The needs of modeling and simulation professionals are
likewise being addressed at some organizations with the
creation of appropriate study materials.
Student exchanges, which enrich the learning experience,
are encouraged.
The Centers of the MISS are encouraged to co-operate in
producing course material for education and training in the
modeling and simulation domain.
Theses work at Ph.D. and Masters level are encouraged on
M&S.
Research:
The MISS provides an excellent platform for networking
for externally funded research. When preparing proposals
for external funding, participating researchers have access
to other researchers in the Centers of the MISS.
Researchers in these Centers also benefit from increased
opportunities to be included in other proposals.
Opportunities frequently exist for the exchange of faculty
members and research staff between MISS Centers. The
goal is to promote and facilitate co-operation and the
formulation of collaborative projects among organizations
at regional, national, and international levels.
The Centers of the MISS regularly exchange modeling and
simulation software or serve as alpha and/or beta test sites
for newly developed software. Organizations provide
assistance to each other when problems arise in software
development.
Dissemination of Knowledge:
The Centers of the MISS organize and/or support SCS
sponsored M&S conferences throughout the World.
The results of research projects in modeling and simulation
carried out within the member organizations are regularly
presented at conferences and published in Journals and SCS
publications.
The MISS provides a platform for professional seminar
speakers on M&S.
