CODE 66204 ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026 CREDITS 5 cfu anno 1 SAFE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS ENGINEERING 11920 (LM-26 R) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 1 INTERNET AND MULTIMEDIA ENGINEERING 11962 (LM-27) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR MAT/09 LANGUAGE English TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester MODULES Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND MACHINE LEARNING OVERVIEW Operations Research (OR) consists in a set of mathematical models and methods for solving decision problems in a very wide number of application sectors. The purpose of this course is to provide the students with competences in using a set of models for problem solving. In particular, the course mainly considers optimization problems faced by mathematical programming techniques and problems on graph and networks. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES This module aims to provide students with knowledge about a set of models and methods of Operations Research that will enable them to deal with decision problems. In particular, students will learn how to use mathematical linear programming models with continuous variables to formulate certain classes of decision problems, and they will learn how to find the optimal solution using the Simplex algorithm; in addition, students will learn how to perform sensitivity analysis and apply duality theory. A very important type of model that will be explained is the integer programming model that allows to face discrete decision problems; the branch and bound and cutting planes methods will be explained for this model. Finally, graph theory and network flow models will be presented; these classes of models are very important as they can model practical decision problems in telecommunications. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The main objective is to provide students with the skills to define mathematical programming models to solve a series of decision problems by formulating them as optimization problems. Students will be able to solve continuous and mixed integer programming problems using appropriate methods and algorithms. Students will be able to solve problems using networks flow models and graphs.The presented models and algorithms are fundamental tools for optimization in telecommunication. TEACHING METHODS The course consists of classroom lectures. Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of teaching to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns. Contacts of the School's disability contact person can be found at the following link Comitato di Ateneo per l’inclusione delle studentesse e degli studenti con disabilità o con DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova SYLLABUS/CONTENT Introduction to decisional problems and models. The process of problem formulation by means of quantitative models. Mathematical programming Basic definitions Linear programming. Graphic formulation and solution of linear programs. The simplex algorithm. Duality theory. Sensitivity analysis and economic interpretation. Integer programming and combinatorial optimization. Methods of cutting-planes and branch-and-bound. Graph and network theory. Shortest paths problems. Spanning tree problems.. Max-flow and min cut problems. Network simplex algorithm. Introduction to TSP and routing problems. Basic concepts of the theory of complexity. Examples of heuristic algorithms for combinatorial problems Basic concepts of multi-criteria decision making RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Frederick S Hillier, Gerald J Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, 9/e, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2010, ISBN: 0073376299 Students with learning disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD MASSIMO PAOLUCCI Ricevimento: Students can ask appointments directly contacting the professor by email or phone LESSONS LESSONS START https://corsi.unige.it/10378/p/studenti-orario Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Written exam text. ASSESSMENT METHODS Written examination, potentially including: * Exercises requiring the application of algorithms to the problem classes presented in the course * Short theoretical questions * Formulation of simple combinatorial decision-making problems Students with learning disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities. FURTHER INFORMATION Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework, and exams should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the School's disability liaison.
