620-362 Applied Operations Research

620-361 or 620-262. Also recommended is 620-131 or one of computer science 433-152 or 433-172.

This subject develops problem-solving skills and sharpens analytical skills. Students will work in groups, tackling unfamiliar problems. Each team will plan their project work and deliver oral and written presentations.

This subject introduces the technical issues involved in applying operations research principles, methods and algorithms in the solution of real-world problems, and the practical aspects of group projects in operations research. Students should develop the ability to apply various operations research methods, algorithms and software in the solution of practical problems; and to participate successfully in group projects in operations research, including preparing reports and giving presentations. This subject demonstrates the scope and limitation of operations research methods, algorithms and software as far as solving practical problems is concerned. It also exhibits the practical issues and difficulties involved in group projects in operations research.

Practical and technical aspects of various operations research methods for linear programming, integer programming and combinatorial optimisation are covered, including topics selected from complexity, interior point methods, cutting planes, branch-and-bound, meta-heuristics, special heuristics and constraint logic programming. Students examine applications in vehicle routing, facility location, cutting stock, manpower planning, and machine scheduling and other logistics problems; and become familiar with operations research software.

Up to 50 pages of written assignments due during the semester (35%); a group project during the semester with a 15-minute oral presentation and a written report of up to 50 pages (40%); a 90-minute written test held mid semester (25%).