ENGM 184 INTRODUCTION TO OPTIMIZATION METHODS Fall 2023
Description
Principal Learning Objectives
- Recognize existing applications of optimization techniques.
- Associate particular optimization models with types of decision problems.• Translate a description of a decision problem into a valid optimization model by identifying variables, constraints, and an objective function.
- Express a given optimization model in an Excel spreadsheet, structured for use with Solver.
- Assess the validity of a particular optimization model.
- Find solutions to optimization problems using the most appropriate settings in Solver.
- Interpret the meaning of optimization results as they apply to the motivating problem.
Text
Kenneth R. Baker, Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets (Third Edition), John Wiley & Sons (2016).
Access to an electronic copy of the text can be found here. A hard copy of the text is on course reserve in the Feldberg-Tuck library.
This website contains some supplementary exercises which will be assigned from time to
Class Format
Attendance
You are expected to attend class in person unless you have made alternative arrangements with the instructor in advance due to illness, medical reasons, or other unavoidable circumstances. For the health and safety of our class community, please do not attend class when you are sick or when you have been instructed by Student Health Services to stay home. You will be able to view class recordings in Canvas if you are unable to attend.
Technology Expectations
Digital Citizenship
Notification to Students
Notification to Faculty
Course Assignments (See Course Summary below)
Grading
Unannounced quizzes (5%) will be given in class. These are primarily intended to assess whether the student is engaged and following course material.
There will be a mid-term exam (35%) and a final exam (40%). These are openbook/open-notes exams. Material from the course folder is permitted, except files that originate with other students.
Statement of Academic Integrity
Honor Principle
Students may work together on homework assignments, at least to the stage of reviewing class materials, agreeing on the general concepts, and sketching the general structure of a model. Most important here is the individual student's eventual understanding of the assignment and its solution. The Honor Principle applies to homework in the following way. Students must submit their own work, and that work should represent their own understanding of how to fulfill the assignment. Students must state what sources they have consulted and with whom they have collaborated or received help. Any copying (electronic or otherwise) of another person's work, in whole or in part, is a violation of the Honor Principle.
Students who have questions as to whether some action would be acceptable under the Academic Honor Code should speak to the instructor.
Instructional Resources
Student Accessibility Services
Religious Observances
2023-10-14