Eric Emer UROP Faculty Supervisor: James Orlin Term: Fall 2011 11/03/11 Optimization in Management Science Experiments

Project Overview This project is about exploring the theory, algorithms, and applications of optimization. I am writing VBA for Excel programs to implement into the 15.053 curriculum and explore what new optimization methods exist and can be automated. These optimization methodologies include linear programming, network optimization, integer programming, and decision trees. There are many applications to these programs and methods such as logistics, manufacturing, transportation, marketing, project management and finance. Personal Role & Responsibilities I will be writing VBA for Excel programs to use for constructing a curriculum software package that the students can use. The students will use these programs to calculate complex optimization strategies. These programs will include linear programming and complex systems of equation. We will also look at designing macros for animation, dynamic programming, network flow, Traveling Salesman Problem, covering, packing, location, number partition, and formulating and solving Sudoku. Goals I hope to learn a lot about optimization methods during this UROP. I think I will also be able to increase my skills in Visual Basic as well. I will get to hopefully design some things that have useful applications for MIT students and operates robustly. I think I will also learn how to think about complex math problems from an algorithmic perspective.

Personal Statement This project interests me because it seeks to solve a lot of interesting problems. I also see the benefit of getting to learn about optimization, which is very important in every field of science. I am also interested in how to automate functions of Excel and possibly interface it with other softwares.