UTAS

School of Mathematics and Physics

Faculty of Mathematics

KMA355

Operations Research 3

Semester 2, 2011

Unit Outline


Unit coordinator/lecturer: Dr Malgorzata O'Reilly
Email: malgorzata.oreilly@utas.edu.au
Room: 455
Phone: 6226 2405
Fax: 6226 2867 or 6226 2410

Consultation hours: To be announced

Contact hours per week: 3 x one hour lecture, 1 x one hour tutorial, 1 x one hour lab session

Prerequisites: Any second year mathematics unit

Unit description:  This unit develops skills in the optimization of real-life deterministic or probabilistic systems, and is particularly useful for students interested in careers in Engineering, Management, Finance, Economics and Teaching.

Topics: Deterministic Dynamic Programming, Probabilistic Dynamic Programming, Exponential Queues, and Simulation. Focus on developing the ability to solve practical problems using MATLAB and other numerical tools.

Learning outcomes: Throughout this course, you will develop problem-solving and analytical skills. You will learn to apply a range of Operations Research models to practical problems which involve decision-making and planning. You will also learn to use software for the solution of such problems.

Assessment: 3 hour exam (80%), assignments (20%)

References:

For the review of the models/methods, you are referred to the following Operations Research texts:
Taha, H.A., Operations Research: An Introduction, Pearson (2007)
Winston, W. L., Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms, Thomson (2004)

The theory relevant to the course is covered in the following book:
Feller, W., An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications: volume I, John Wiley & Sons (1968)

Computing resources: Students will require access to a PC Computing Laboratory for approximately 1-2 hours per week

Useful software: Excel, MATLAB, Mathematica, TORA, on-line solvers

Flexible learning: To access the files, click here.

Further information and assistance

If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies or assignments, have personal or life planning issues, disability or illness which may affect your course of study, you are advised to raise these with your lecturer in the first instance.

There is a range of University-wide support services available to you including Teaching & Learning, Student Services, International Services.  Please refer to the Current Students homepage at: http://www.utas.edu.au/students/

Should you require assistance in accessing the Library visit their website for more information at http://www.utas.edu.au/library/

Operations Research links

General:

INFORMS OR Resources

The Probability Web

Mathworld Wolfram

Math Forum

Wikipedia

Yahoo Mathematics

Dictionary of algorithms and data structures

Puzzles, problems:

Operations Research Models and Methods

Panorama Recreational OR

NEOS Guide: Case Studies

A Dynamic-Programming analysis of football strategy

MISG2005   (check this for the description of real industrial problems, and see how they were solved)

MISG2004

MISG2003

Solvers:

tutOR 

Tutorial

Dynamic Programming Solver

LINDO 

AMPL  

OPL

MAMsolver


Jobs:

Employment Opportunities in Mathematical Sciences (mainly Australia)

INFORMS Resources: Job Information (worldwide)


Answers to FAQs:

Is a career in Operations Research suitable for you?

What is Operations Research?

What is Linear Programming?

What is Dynamic Programming?

What is a Markov chain?

What is Queuing Theory?


MATLAB links:

Getting started with MATLAB

MATLAB Primer

MATLAB on-line documentation