ENGSCI 761 : Integer and Multi-objective Optimisation

Engineering

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Computational methods for solving optimisation problems. Algorithms for integer programming including branching, bounding, cutting and pricing strategies. Algorithms for linear and integer programmes with multiple objective functions.

Course Overview

This course focuses on advanced methods for solving integer and multi-objective optimisation problems. There is a mix of theory and practice with several approaches to these problems being presented, but knowledge about when each of the approaches is appropriate/may work well also included.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ENGSCI 391 or 765

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Learn and apply the biobjective simplex method to solve biobjective linear programmes (Capability 1 and 3)
  2. Implement the biobjective simplex algorithm (Capability 1)
  3. Develop and implement linear models and their iterative solution through scalarisation, including the application of different strategies for representative sets of solution (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  4. Understand and explain the major differences between multiobjective (continuous) linear prorgamming and multiobjective integer programming (Capability 1 and 4)
  5. Understand and implement the epsilon-constraint method and the box algorithm including being able to explain them by graphically illustrating how they work (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
  6. Understand and describe challenges in solving multiobjective integer programmes (Capability 1 and 4)
  7. Understand and apply multiobjective optimisation application and theory by: being able to explain the theory of multiobjective optimisation concepts, Pareto efficiency, and difference to single objective optimisation problems; 2) being able to identify a real-world problem and formulate the corresponding mathematical optimisation model (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  8. Understand, explain and apply methods for speeding up the solution of integer programming problems (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  9. Understand and explain integer programming solution methods including: 1) interpret and complete branch-and-bound trees; 2) list and explain the steps in the branch-and-bound, branch-and-cut, and/or branch-and-price methods. (Capability 1 and 4)
  10. Understand, explain and apply integer programming by formulating problems as linear (integer) programs and discussing the relative strengths of different integer programs (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments, Tests, Labs 30% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 70% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Assignments, Tests, Labs
Final Exam

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 an average weekly workload comprising 3 hours of lectures, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and labs to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for tests.
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.

Health & Safety

Standard Health & Safety for a lecture/computer lab course applies. Students are also expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

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.

Yearly review of the course workload and content will reflect feedback from each year's students. 

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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.