ENGSCI 391 : Optimisation in Operations Research

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Linear programming, the revised simplex method and its computational aspects, duality and the dual simplex method, sensitivity and post-optimal analysis. Network optimisation models and maximum flow algorithms. Transportation, assignment and transhipment models, and the network simplex method. Introduction to integer programming.

Course Overview

Students will learn about the theory of linear programming using techniques of linear algebra and convex analysis.  The simplex algorithm (revised simplex method, transportation simplex, and network simplex) will be taught in detail. The course also includes the theory of maximum flow in networks, including the max flow-min cut theorem and its applications. Integer programming formulation and solution using branch-and-bound will also be covered.
The course assessment involves a programming exercise in which students are required to program the revised simplex algorithm (RSM) and apply this to some test problems. All students are expected to be competent software programmers, and to be flexible in their choice of programming language.
ENGSCI 391 is co-taught with the post-graduate course ENGSCI 765. Students who have completed 391 will not be able to enrol in 765.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from ENGGEN 150, ENGSCI 111, MATHS 208, 250, 253, and 15 points from COMPSCI 101, ENGGEN 131, MATHS 162, STATS 220 Restriction: ENGSCI 765

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Formulate linear programming problems (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
  2. Derive theory of linear optimization (Capability 3.1)
  3. Program revised simplex method (Capability 3.1 and 5.1)
  4. Write clear mathematical statements (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
  5. Solve instances of linear programs (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of network linear programming models (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of mixed integer programming models and algorithms (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Computer Assignments 25% Individual Coursework
Test 15% Individual Test
Exam 45% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Computer Assignments
Test
Exam

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

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 4 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial/lecture, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course (unless precluded by any University closures).
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will typically be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events (unless required by University closure during lockdowns).
Attendance on campus is required for the test and the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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 issued to students through Canvas.
Lecture recording sometimes fail; students should not rely on these.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook; see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/engineering/study-with-us/prospectuses-and-guides.html

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.

A test is being introduced be better cater for aegrotats.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

The use of ChatGPT and similar tools is not permitted.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.