Subject: Operations Research
Number: EBGN 325
Course Title: Operations Research
Section: A
Semester/year: Fall 2015
Instructor or Coordinator: Steffen Rebennack
Contact information (Office/Phone/Email): EH 310 / 303-273-3925 / srebenna@mines.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm and by appointment
Class meeting days/times: TR / 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Class meeting location: TBA
Web Page/Blackboard link (if applicable): Teaching Assistant (if applicable): TBA
Contact information (Office/Phone/Email): TBA
Office hours: TBA
Instructional activity: _3_ hours lecture
_0_ hours lab
___ semester hours
Course designation: ___ Common Core ___ Distributed Science or Engineering
___ Major requirement _X_ Elective ___ Other (please describe ___________)
Course description from Bulletin:
This survey course introduces fundamental operations research techniques in the optimization areas of
linear programming, network models (i.e., maximum flow, shortest part, and minimum cost flow), integer
programming, and nonlinear programming. Stochastic (probabilistic) topics include queuing theory and
simulation. Inventory models are discussed as time permits. The emphasis in this applications course is
on problem formulation and obtaining solutions using Excel Software.
Textbook and/or other requirement materials:
Recommended text: Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis, by C.T. Ragsdale,
South-Western College Publishing, 6th or 7th edition
Student learning outcomes: At the conclusion of the class students will…
1.
2.
3.
identify an Operations Research question/problem,
formulate a corresponding “good” mathematical model,
solve the mathematical model using Excel solver.
Brief list of topics covered:
1.
2.
3.
Introduction
Optimization
a. Linear Programming
b. Network models
c. Integer Programming
d. Nonlinear Programming
Stochastic (probabilistic) topics
a. Discrete Time Markov Chains
b. Queuing models
c. Simulation (if time permits)
d. Inventory models (if time permits)
Policy on academic integrity/misconduct: The Colorado School of Mines affirms the principle that all
individuals associated with the Mines academic community have a responsibility for establishing,
maintaining an fostering an understanding and appreciation for academic integrity. In broad terms, this
implies protecting the environment of mutual trust within which scholarly exchange occurs, supporting the
ability of the faculty to fairly and effectively evaluate every student’s academic achievements, and giving
credence to the university’s educational mission, its scholarly objectives and the substance of the
degrees it awards. The protection of academic integrity requires there to be clear and consistent
standards, as well as confrontation and sanctions when individuals violate those standards. The Colorado
School of Mines desires an environment free of any and all forms of academic misconduct and expects
students to act with integrity at all times.
Academic misconduct is the intentional act of fraud, in which an individual seeks to claim credit for the
work and efforts of another without authorization, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information
in any academic exercise. Student Academic Misconduct arises when a student violates the principle of
academic integrity. Such behavior erodes mutual trust, distorts the fair evaluation of academic
achievements, violates the ethical code of behavior upon which education and scholarship rest, and
undermines the credibility of the university. Because of the serious institutional and individual
ramifications, student misconduct arising from violations of academic integrity is not tolerated at Mines. If
a student is found to have engaged in such misconduct sanctions such as change of a grade, loss of
institutional privileges, or academic suspension or dismissal may be imposed.
The complete policy is online.
Grading Procedures: The homework assignments count collectively for 25% of the grade. Homeworks
are weighted equally.
We will have a Mid-Term exam counting for 35% of the grade, plus a final exam that will count for 40% of
the grade. The final exam will be comprehensive and will cover all the material.
The final (letter) grade will be determined by considering absolute scores. Specifically, the final grades
will be given according to the following table:
93 – 100%
90 – 92%
87 – 89%
83 – 86%
80 – 82%
77 – 79%
73 – 76%
70 – 72%
A
At least AAt least B+
At least B
At least BAt least C+
At least C
At least C-
Coursework Return Policy: All homework and exams will be graded within 2 weeks.
Absence Policy (e.g., Sports/Activities Policy): Class attendance is voluntarily.
Homework, Exam make-up:
•
•
.
•
Homework must be turned in before it is due to be graded – plan ahead.
There will be between 8-9 homework sets, usually due on a Thursday beginning of class
Teamwork is encouraged, but submission has to be individual.
Exams: If you will be absent during a scheduled exam, you should schedule a make-up time
before you leave.
Common Exam Policy (if applicable):
n/a
Detailed Course Schedule:
Date
Topic
HW
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
08/25
08/27
09/01
09/03
Introduction
Linear programming
Linear programming
Linear programming
-
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
09/08
09/10
09/15
09/17
09/22
09/24
Linear programming
Linear programming
Linear programming
Network Models
Network Models
Network Models
HW I due
HW II due
HW III due
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
09/29
10/01
10/06
10/08
10/13
10/15
10/20
Network Models
Network Models
Network Models
Integer Programming
Integer Programming
HW IV due
HW V due
-
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
10/22
10/27
10/29
11/03
11/05
11/10
Integer Programming
Integer Programming
Nonlinear Programming
Nonlinear Programming
Nonlinear Programming
Nonlinear Programming
HW VI due
HW VII due
-
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
Tue.
11/12
11/17
11/19
11/24
11/26
12/01
Markov Chain
Markov Chain
Markov Chain
Markov Chain
HW VIII due
-
Queing Models
-
Thu.
Tue.
Thu.
TBA
12/03
12/08
12/10
TBA
Queing Models
Queing Models
Queing Models
HW IX due
-
Mid-term exam
Fall break – no class
Thanksgiving – no class-
Final exam