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

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 module is to provide the students with competences in using a set of models for problem solving. In particular, the module mainly considers optimization problems faced by mathematical programming techniques and problems on graph and networks.

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.

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.