Introduction to Optimization Methods
Fall 2009
Course Description
Optimization deals with design and operating decisions for complex systems, and this course provides the student with a collection of optimization modeling and solution tools that can be useful in a variety of industries and functions. The main topics covered are linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming, and combinatorial programming. Spreadsheet models will be primary vehicles for building and solving optimization models, with emphasis placed on the use of Excel's Premium Solver.
Principal Learning Objectives
- Translate a verbal or graphical description of a decision problem into a valid optimization model, by identifying variables, constraints, and an objective function.
- Interpret the meaning and assess the validity of a particular optimization model.
- Express a given optimization model in an Excel spreadsheet, structured for use with Premium Solver.
- Find solutions to optimization problems using the most appropriate algorithm and settings in Premium Solver.
- Perform sensitivity analysis by tracing the effects of varying a parameter on the optimal decision variables and the objective function.
Instructor
Professor Kenneth Baker
Murdough 324
Kenneth.R.Baker@Dartmouth.EDU
Textbook
The text is K. Baker, Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets (Duxbury Press).
Schedule
| Class | Topic | Reading | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Optimization | Ch 1 | |
| 2 | Basic Linear Programming Models | Ch 2 | Ch1/1,2,3 |
| 3 | Case: Red Brand Canners | 2/3,4 | |
| 4 | Special Network Models | Ch 3.65-83 | 2/5,6,7 |
| 5 | Case: Hollingsworth Paper Co. | Ch 3.100-103 | 3/1 |
| 6 | Sensitivity Analysis | Ch 4.104-127 | 3/2,3,4,5 |
| 7 | General Network Models | Ch 3.83-93 | 4/3ab,4ab |
| 8 | Patterns | 3/10,11 | |
| 9 | Nonlinear Programming Models | Ch 7.244-269 | 4/4cde,5,9 |
| 10 | Mid-Term Exam | ||
| 11 | Portfolio Model | Ch 7.269-279 | 7/1,11,14 |
| 12 | Binary Choice Models | Ch 6.186-203 | TBA |
| 13 | Integer Programming Formulations | Ch 6.203-209 | 6/5,6,10 |
| 14 | Traveling Salesperson Problem | Ch 6.209-219 | 6/7,8,9 |
| 15 | Location Models | Ch 6.220-233 | 6/14,15,SNE |
| 16 | The Evolutionary Solver | Ch 8 | 6/11,12,13 |
| 17 | Cluster Analysis | 8/1,2,5,6 | |
| 18 | Case: Colgate Wave | Ch 8.317-20 | 8/7,8 |
| 19 | Review | ||
| Final Exam |
Blackboard
More information about this course can be found at the Blackboard site. You can login to Blackboard using your DND username and password.