Project Oriented Optimization

1
Project Oriented Optimization

• Mark Parker
• Carroll College
• Helena, MT

2
Overview

• Background
• Department Goals
• Course Goals
• Course Layout
• Logistics
• Topics
• Specifics
• Computer Lab Lessons
• Computer-based Projects

3
Department Goals

• Create a curriculum that is
• Interdisciplinary
• Show the role of mathematics in solving a wide
  variety of problems.
• Focus on applications.
• Motivate theory thru applications.
• Technology-Enriched
• Extend understanding of topics.
• Solve advanced problems.

4
Course Goals MA 421 Math. Optimization, Apps
Analysis

• students derive, analyze, and explore concepts
  and theory using computers
• students solve REAL problems
• students gain proficiency in modern scientific
  computing tools
• build upon skills and tie together concepts from
  previous courses
• model building
• sensitivity analysis
• Mathematica/Excel skills

5
Course Logistics

• Meeting
• Two 75-minute meetings/week
• Computer lab or classroom
• Day to Day
• Introduce topic
• Lecture/worksheet/lab
• Explore topic
• Worksheet/lab
• In-Depth Analysis
• project

6
Course Topics and Tools

• Modeling
• Excel, GAMS
• Linear and Integer Programming
• Excel, GAMS
• Revised simplex
• Sensitivity analysis
• Branch and Bound
• Nonlinear Programming
• Excel, Mathematica
• Gradient search
• Heuristic Techniques

7
Sample Materials Labs

• Spreadsheet Optimization and Excel File
• Introduction to LP in Excel
• Constrained non-linear optimization
• Introduction to inequality constraints
  visualization with Mathematica

8
Sample Materials Projects

• Parker Oil Company
• Formulation
• Follow up implement in GAMS
• Diet Problem and Excel File
• Lab project handed out after first Excel Lab
• Gradient Search and Student Soln.
• Handed out after in class discussion

9
Resources

• Presentation web page
• http//web.carroll.edu/mparker/ictcm-2004/talk.htm
  
• My web page (course schedules have other
  materials)
• http//web.carroll.edu/mparker