CSCI508 Operations Research

Prerequisite: None
Administrative Information:
Class Duration:
Day/Time:
Location:
Campus Address:
Campus Phone:

April 11, 2010 to June 27, 2010

Sunday / 2:00 p.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Online
7535 Little River Turnpike,
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 941-0949

Instructor Contact Information:

Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office Hour Location:
E-mail:

Dr. Yingwu Fang

Before or after class
By appointment
Before or after class at the classroom
Csci508@gmail.com

Telephone:

(240) 401-2338

Instructional Material:
Operations Research, An Introduction, Hamdy A. Taha, (8th ed.). Pearson
Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-188923-0

Course Description:
Operations research offers a scientic approach to decision making, most
commonly involving the optimization of benefit/cost ratios and allocation of scarce
resourcesmiximation of profit. This course develops some of the fundamental
methods used. Topics include: linear programming, the graphical method, the
simplex method and its linear algebra foundations, duality, post-optimality and
sensitivity analysis, the transportation problem, the network problem, the critical

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path method, integer programming, the branch-and-bound technique, and nonlinear programming methods.

Course Learning Outcome:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Understand the concepts and basic methods of Operation Research.
Model real world problems using the Linear Programming techniques.
Use the Graphical Method to solve simple Linear Programming Problems.
Use the Simplex Method to solve more complicated Linear Programming
Problems.
Conduct Sensitivity Analysis.
Conduct the Duality and Post-Optimal Analysis.
Grasp the techniques in solving the Transportation Model and Network Model
problems.
Understand Integer Linear Programming
Conduct Decision Analysis
Use Probalistic Inventory Models
Analyze Queuing Systems
Understand Nonlinear Programming
Use the Solver, AMPL, and Tora software to solve OR problems.
Designated weekly learning outcomes are listed in a separate file which is
available upon request.

Teaching Method:
This will be an online course that will require the students to read the textbook and
supplemental documents provided by the professor, complete assignments, and
take the mid-term and final exams.

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Course Schedule and Outline:

Week

Date

Lecture Topic

Assignment
Given

Assignment
Due

Textbook
Reading

Apr. 11

Introduction

#1

Apr. 18

Chapter 1

Apr. 18

Graphical, Simplex Method

#2

Apr. 25

Chapter 2, 3

Apr. 25

Duality, Sensitivity Analysis

#3

May 2

Chapter 4

May 2

Transportation Models

#4

May 9

Chapter 5

May 9

Network Models

#5

May 16

Chapter 6

May 16

Mid-term Exam

May 23

Integer Linear Programming

#6

May 30

Chapter 9

May 30

Decision Analysis

#7

June 6

Chapter 13

June 6

Probalistic Inventory Models

#8

June 13

Chapter 14

10

June 13

Queuing Systems

#9

June 20

Chapter 15

11

June 20

Nonlinear Programming

#10

June 27

Chapter 19

12

June 27

Final Exam

May 23

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Course Requirement and Evaluation:

Up to ten homework assignments will be given during the quadmester. Discussion of the
homework with other students is permitted, but collaboration on the writing of the
assignments is NOT. Homework will be posted on the Moodle.
During the quadmester you will be given two exams. The exams are closed-book in-class
exams. Each of them will cover the appropriate part of the lecture from the last test.
Evaluation will be based on class participation, quality and timeliness of submitted
homework assignments, the results of the mid-term and final exam. In addition, quizzes,
presentation, in-class exercises, case analyses, and class attendance will be taken into
account for the final grade.
The deliverables will entail 1,000 possible points, broken down as follows:
200 points

Homework assignments

200 points

Class participation, attendance, etc.

300 points

Midterm Exam

300 points

Final Exam (must be no more than 40% of the final grade)

The numerical score is then converted to a letter grade using the following scale:
Above 900 - A
Above 800 - B
Above 700 - C
Above 600 D (for undergrad only)
Below 599 - F

Supporting Material:
1. Hadley, G: Linear Programming, Addison Wesley
2. Pant, J.C: Optimization, Jain Brothers
3. Hillier & Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, Tata McGraw-Hill
4. Bazaraa, Jarvis & Sherali, Linear Programming and Network Flows, John Wiley

Academic Integrity:
Academic honesty is non-negotiable. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of course
requirements must be the student's own work. Plagiarism and/or any other form of
academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero on the
assignment. Students should consult the Students Handbook on the University web-site or
in the University catalog.

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Learning Resources/Library:
Utilization of library resources is an indispensible part of your education at the UNVA. Our
librarians are available to assist you from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please
take advantage of this opportunity for assistance to your success while you are here at
UNVA.
The UNVA library offers an extensive range of resources, particularly online, for student
use. Our library subscription journal databases include:
ABI/INFORM Complete
o ABI Dateline
o ABI Global
o ABI T&I
Academic OneFile
Business & Company Resource Center
Business ASAP
Business Source Complete
Computer Database
Dissertations & Theses
EconLit with Full Text
Education Research Complete
ERIC
Expanded Academic ASAP
General Business File ASAP
General OneFile
Health and Wellness Resource Center
Health Reference Center Academic
IBISWorld
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers
LegalTrac
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts
Literature Resource Center
Newsletters ASAP
ProQuest Psychology Journals
ProQuest Research Library
Student Resource Center Gold Edition
Teacher Reference Center
...and other article databases
The library also provides access to thousands of electronic books, including:
ebrary
EBL Books
Safari Business & Tech Books
...and other e-book collections

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