Introductory description

N/A

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; convex sets and functions and their role in optimisation; simple optimality conditions for
non-linear programming problems; use of spreadsheets for the solution of optimisation problems

Learning outcomes

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

• Apply optimisation techniques to the solution of the problems using spreadsheets andother appropriate software;
• Identify the business problems that can be modelled using optimisation techniques andformulate them in a suitable mathematical form;
• 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.
• Report on the meaning of the optimal solutions in a manner suited to a business context.

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.