Operations Research (MAT 2461)
Sean L. Forman
Spring 2003
Office Hours: Monday 9:00-10:00
& 1:00-2:00, Tuesday & Friday 1:00-2:00, Wednesday 10:00-11:00 and
others by appointment.
Contact Information:
| Office: | 217 Barbelin |
| Office Phone: | x3394 |
| Math Office: | x1540 |
| E-Mail: | sforman@sju.edu |
| Webpage: | http://www.sju.edu/~sforman |
Course Time and Place:
Tues. 2:00-3:00 Math Seminar Room (after first day), Wed. & Frid.,
2:00-3:00, Barbelin 225
Textbook: Operations Research, Third Edition, by Wayne Winston
Goals and Prerequisites: This
is an introductory course in Operations Research. OR is studied in a
wide variety of fields like mathematics, computer science, biology,
management science and industrial engineering. Since we are generally
interested in finding the ``best'' solution, we will look at OR
through the lens of optimization. We will do quite a bit with the
formulation and solution of various problems arising in Operations
Research. Topics we will cover include Linear and Integer
Programming, Duality, Network Models, Project Management, Dynamic
Programming and perhaps some Queuing Theory, though this will possibly
change depending on the speed and ability of the class.
I will
expect you to remember or quickly pickup some multivariable calculus
like gradients and some matrix algebra like matrix multiplication,
inverses, rank, etc. I will give refreshers when applicable.
Homework: We will have from
around 13 weekly homework assignments and short quizzes. The homework
will contain both programming and problem sets. The programming will
utilize the solution of larger problems using OR packages provided to
you. You may also be required to learn some simple MAPLE programming
to solve some of the problems. The quizzes will resemble the homework
assigned. I will use your ten best quizzes and homeworks in your
grade.
You are certainly allowed to work and discuss the
homework with others, but the work you turn in must be your own. Any
copying of homework will result in a zero on the assignment for all
involved.
Tests: There will be one
mid-term exam and a cumulative final exam. These may be take-home
exams.
Grading: I will follow roughly a 100-90-80-70-60 grading scale.
| Homework sets | 25% |
| Quizzes | 25% |
| Midterm | 20% |
| Final | 30% |
Attendance: If you know you
will be missing an exam, you are expected to notify me in advance,
make up exams beforehand, and turn in any homework early. In cases
where you are ill and miss an exam, you will need a note from a
physician in order to make up an exam. When in doubt, e-mail or call
me. Attendance will be important for this class as we will likely
work through a large number of problems in class and we have an
opportunity for a great deal of participation due to the small class
size.
Academic Honesty: You are
expected to know and follow the University's academic honesty policy.
Both copying other's work and allowing others to copy yours are
violations of this policy. On exams, you are only permitted to use
materials authorized by the instructor, and use of unauthorized
materials or other forms of cheating will result in a 0 on
the quiz or exam, the notification of the Registrar's office, and
potentially an F in the course.
Webpage: My course webpage will
contain information regarding homework, tests, quizzes, and, possibly,
interesting links. The URL is
http://www.sju.edu/~sforman/courses/.
Changes: If they become necessary, I will notify you of any changes made to the syllabus.