Introductory description

This is an elective module available for non-WBS students.

This module addresses further theoretical and practical problems of mathematical programming, based on the prerequisite knowledge of linear programming and the duality theory. It provides an introduction to the world of discrete and non-linear optimization with coverage of application context, theoretical basis and methodological skills.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module includes coverage of theoretical and practical aspects of mathematical programming. In particular it covers: linear programming problems with integer variables; the branch-and-bound algorithm; dynamic programming; network optimisation; approximation algorithms; use of basic software for solutions of optimisation problems.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify the business problems that can be modelled using optimisation techniques and formulate them in a suitable mathematical form.
• Apply optimisation techniques to the solution of the problems using spreadsheets and other appropriate software.
• Report on the meaning of the optimal solution in a manner suited to a business context.
• List and challenge the assumptions underpinning each of the key models studied.
• Reflect critically on the limitations of each of the models studied.
• Reflect critically on the limitations of each of the models studied.

Indicative reading list

Recommended references:

• Winston, Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms, 4th Ed., 2004 (or later)
• Hillier and G. Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, 9th Ed., 2010 (or later)
• H. Papadimitriou and K. Steiglitz, Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity, Dover Publications, 1998.
  Basic terminology and techniques can also be found in the textbooks below:
• Anderson, Sweeney and Williams, An Introduction to Management Science, (any edition), West
• Taylor, Introduction to Management Science, (any edition), Prentice Hall
• Taha, Operations Research: An introduction. (Any addition)

Subject specific skills

Spreadsheet modelling skills.

Transferable skills

Model a business optimisation problem and construct spreadsheets to solve an optimisation problem.