The University of Iowa 56:171 Operations Research Fall Semester 2002

Course description

In this course, some common operations research models and algorithms are studied.

No computer programming is required, but students will use LINDO &/or LINGO (available on Unix workstations & Windows PCs), and several programs (in APL) provided by the instructor to solve homework exercises.

Prerequisite: graduate standing or 56:21 Principles of Design I . (Previous exposure to linear programming & the simplex algorithm is a plus, as is knowledge of common probability distributions, e.g. binomial, exponential, etc.!)

Topics

• Linear programming models
• Simplex & revised simplex algorithms
• Duality and sensitivity analysis in LP
• Transportation and assignment problems
• Project scheduling (critical path method & PERT)
• Decision Trees
• Integer programming models
• Stochastic processes:
  • Markov chains
  • birth/death processes
• Dynamic programming:
  • deterministic
  • stochastic
    

Textbook

Introduction to Operations Research, 7th edition, by Frederick Hillier & Gerald Lieberman
A very complete coverage of linear and integer programming, network models, dynamic programming, etc., in addition to applied stochastic processes. Includes student editions of several software packages: LINDO and LINGO, CPLEX, MPL, MS Project, & various Excel add-ins. See http://www.mhhe.com/hillier.
(Will be available at IMU Bookstore. Earlier editions, if you have one, are also acceptable.)

In addition to the above textbook for the course, the following book will be placed on reserve in the Engineering Library:

Schrage, Linus (1999) Optimization Modeling with LINGO (3rd edition), LINDO Systems, Inc.
Much of the material in this book is based upon material in the LINDO book. The major differences are due to the two very important capabilities of LINGO: the ability to solve nonlinear models, and the availability of the set or vector notation for compactly representing large models.

Class Schedule

Two lecture sections of this class will be offered:

Section A: 9:30-10:20 a.m. MWF, Room 3315SC
Section B: 12:30-1:20 p.m. MWF, Room 2217SC

Students must also register for one of the lab/discussion sections, which will meet in 3231SC (ALF classroom)

1. 9:30-10:20 a.m. Tuesday
   
2. 10:30-11:20 a.m. Tuesday
   
3. 2:30-3:20 p.m. Wednesday
   
4. 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Thursday
   
5. 12:30-1:20 p.m. Thursday

Instructor: Prof. Dennis L. Bricker

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Office: 2138 Seamans Center (Engineering Bldg)
Phone: 335-5935
dbricker@engineering.uiowa.edu

Office hours: (subject to change)

• 1:30-2:30pm Monday
• 10:30-11:30am Wednesday & Thursday

(other times by appointment!)

• Teaching Assistants:
  Han-suk Sohn hsohn@engineering.uiowa.edu
  Office hours:
  • 1:30~2:30 Wednesday
  • 1:30~2:30 Thursday
    
• Gi-yung Ryu gryu@engineering.uiowa.edu

Office hours: (in ALF classroom, 3231SC)

If you cannot find either the instructor or one of the TAs in their offices, questions may be addressed to them via e-mail (click on internet address above). We will try to reply to these questions the day that they are received, or suggest a time to meet to discuss them.

to 56:171 home page.

dennis-bricker@uiowa.edu

Last modified: 6 September 2002