ENG M 540
Optimization Models and Algorithms

September 2009 - December 2009
Thursdays 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Room: MEC 2-1

NOTE: The Exam #2 marks summary is available here, and the Project marks summary is available here. I will turn over all marked exams to the department for storage early on Friday, so if you want to look at your exam, you'll need to do so before that. Grades have been submitted and will be available on Bear Tracks in the next few days.

Instructor: John Doucette, Assistant Professor, Engineering Management

Email:

Office: 5-8F Mechanical Engineering Building (5th floor West)

Office Hours: my door is always open

Course Text (required):

• W. L. Winston, Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms, 4^th Edition, Thomson Learning, Belmont, CA, 2004. (ISBN 0-534-38058-1)

Marking Scheme*:
    Assignments**: 15%
    Project: 25%
    Exam #1: 30%
    Exam #2: 30%

* Grades will roughly follow the recommended grade distribution provided by the registrar’s office.
** Assignments must be handed in during class on the due date. Complete solutions will be provided on the course web-site shortly after the due date of each assignment, and assignments will not be accepted after solutions have been posted.

Course Content:
The applications of optimization methods in solving engineering management problems. Both modeling techniques and algorithms will be covered. Specific topics include linear programming, formulation and modeling techniques, the simplex method, sensitivity analysis, duality, transportation and network problems, algorithmic and heuristic methods, integer programming, and/or non-linear programming.

Course Format:
This course will be lecture based, primarily using white-board instruction. This will be supplemented with PowerPoint slides for key illustrations, in-class discussion, and problem-solving examples. All recommended reading and other external resources will be contained in the course text-book, supplemental handouts, and on the course web-site, which I will endeavour to keep updated with relevant materials in advance.

Course Outline: available here

Note:
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.

Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change):

Assignments: