ENGSCI 255 : Modelling and Analytics in Operations Research
Engineering
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
- Linear Programming (Weeks 1-4) - covers the formulation of linear programs, both algebraically and in Excel, and interpretation of the solutions. Integer programming models, transportation and transshipment problems are considered.
- Decision Making and Data Models (Weeks 5-8) - covers decision trees, models for inventory management, project management and quality control.
- Modelling and Simulation (Weeks 9-12) - covers modelling random processes in R, with applications to queues, epidemic modelling, inventory management, revenue management and optimisation.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Define linear or integer programs, using mathematics (including identifying decision variables, constraints, and the objective function) based on a written problem description. (Capability 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
- Implement optimisation models in Excel, and solve them. (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
- Interpret solution and sensitivity analysis output from optimisation models. (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)
- Model a decision problem (given as a paragraph + some tables) using a decision tree, and carry out calculations. (Capability 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
- Model problems related to inventory, project management and quality control. (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
- Apply probability distributions in the context of simulation of a situation, and in modelling inter-arrival times and service times in simulations of queues. (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
- Interpret output from simulation and produce confidence intervals around key statistics. (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
- Model process data with control charts and six sigma methods. (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 20% | Individual Test |
| Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Exam | ||||||||||
A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned. Students must score at least 45% in the final exam to pass the course.
The exam mode will be Type C - In Person Invigilated.
Any assignments submitted late will be penalised at 4% of the total mark for each hour that they are late.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1-hour tutorial, 3 hours of reviewing the course content and doing tutorial problems, and 3 hours of working on assignments and/or test preparation, each week.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Lectures and tutorials will also be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
In-person attendance at the test and exam is required. No online version will be available.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Course notes will be available as PDFs on Canvas, for annotation or printing.
Health & Safety
Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the University's Health and Safety Policy.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
• The coursebook/notes/slides
• The assignments
• The tutorials
• The Stats Assistance Hub
• The course is fast-paced/too much content
• Having a single highly weighted test
• The format of the coursebook
• No solutions to past exams
We will also consider changing the format/structure of the tutorials, to make them more engaging.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.