Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

  
Degree programme:Bachelor International Business Administration Part-time
Type of degree:FH BachelorĀ“s Degree Programme
 Part-time
 Winter Semester 2024
  

Course unit titleOperations Research
Course unit code025008052213
Language of instructionEnglish
Type of course unit (compulsory, optional)Elective
Semester when the course unit is deliveredWinter Semester 2024
Teaching hours per week2
Year of study2024
Level of course unit (e.g. first, second or third cycle)First Cycle (Bachelor)
Number of ECTS credits allocated3
Name of lecturer(s)Natalia BURKINA


Prerequisites and co-requisites

Introduction to Programming (Python)

Business mathematics (especially linear systems of equations)

Course content
  • Vectors and matrices
  • Linear algebra applications
  • Classification of optimisation problems
  • Modelling and formulation of linear and mixed-integer linear programmes
  • Solving optimisation problems with the help of the solver GLPK
  • Interpretation of the solution (sensitivity analysis)
  • Integrating the GLPK solver into Python applications
  • Standard business applications e.g.: Production programme planning, transport and allocation problems, location planning, network analyses (maximum flows, shortest paths),...
  • Modelling patterns/tricks: Binary variables for linearisation of e.g.: logical expressions, piecewise linear functions, distance functions (Manhattan distance, maximum metric)
Learning outcomes

Operations Research, especially mathematical optimisation (modelling, solving and interpreting optimisation problems), can be used to find more efficient solutions for business problems. The aim of this course is to give students an insight into the procedures and algorithms of operations research.

The students can apply algorithms and methods of vector and matrix calculus and are able to solve linear systems of equations with the computer, can summarise the possibilities and limitations of linear (LP) and mixed-integer linear (MILP) programming. They can select and evaluate suitable methods on the basis of a taxonomy and the properties of the solution methods. Students are in the position to model (implement) an optimisation problem in Python from an informal description and use a suitable solver (GLPK) to solve the problem and are able to interpret the solution of LPs and MILPs and compare different solutions.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Interactive course with lecture, case studies, exercises in individual and group work, presentations and homework.

Assessment methods and criteria

Exercises and case study (50 %)
Final exam (50 %)

 

Comment

None

Recommended or required reading

Boyd, Stephen; Vandenberghe, Lieven (2018): Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra: Vectors, Matrices, and Least Squares. Cambridge, UK; New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

GLPK - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF) (o. J.): GLPK. Online im Internet: URL: https://www.gnu.org/software/glpk/ (Zugriff am: 21.05.2018).

Hillier, Frederick S.; Lieberman, Gerald J. (2014): Introduction to Operations Research. 10th edition edition. New York, NY: Mcgraw-Hill Education.

Nahmias, Steven; Olsen, Tava Lennon (2015): Production and Operations Analysis: Strategy - Quality - Analytics - Application. 7 edition. Long Grove, Ill: Waveland Pr Inc.

Python Software Foundation (o. J.): python. Online im Internet: URL: https://www.python.org/ (Zugriff am: 21.05.2018).

Sierksma, Gerard; Zwols, Yori (2015): Linear and Integer Optimization: Theory and Practice, Third Edition.Boca Raton: CRC Press (= Advances in Applied Mathematics).

Mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance learning)

Classroom-based course with distance learning components and compulsory attendance in individual teaching units (exercise discussions). In addition to the content discussed in the lecture, students receive supplementary materials and exercises. The exercises serve to deepen the material covered in the lecture and are intended to give students the opportunity to check whether the knowledge acquired can actually be implemented. Individual sample solutions are discussed during the attendance hours.

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