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Introduction to Mathematical Programming (MAT 2131)

Sean L. Forman

Spring 2005

Contact Information:

Office:	217 Barbelin (the wing with the bell tower)
Office Phone:	x3394
Math Office:	x1540
E-Mail:	sforman@sju.edu
MailBox:	In math office
Webpage:	http://www.sju.edu/~sforman

Course Time and Place: TuTh, 4:00 - 5:15, MV 220

Course Website: http://www.sju.edu/~sforman/courses/2005S_MAT_2131/
The course webpage will contain information regarding homework, tests, quizzes, and, possibly, interesting links.

Office Hours:

Tuesday	1:00-2:00
Wednesday	10:00-12:00
Thursday	3:00-4:00

and other times by appointment. I expect you to come to office hours when you have questions.

Textbook: Introduction to Mathematical Programming, by Wayne Winston. We will cover most topics from Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 10 and 12, and maybe some additional material. We will also be using the CD-ROM in the book.

Goals:

1. Understand how to formulate a linear programming model.
2. Use the simplex method to solve a variety of linear programming problem.
3. Understand basic issues in duality and sensitivity analysis.
4. Solve simple non-linear optimization problems and understand the issues and techniques used to solve more complicated problems.

Prerequisites: This is an introductory course in Mathematical Programming (or optimization). I will expect you to remember or quickly pickup some multivariable calculus like gradients and matrix algebra like matrix multiplication, inverses, rank, etc. I will give refreshers when applicable.

Homework: We will have around twelve weekly homework assignments and six short quizzes. The homework will contain both programming and problem sets. The programming will utilize the solution of larger problems using software packages provided to you. You may also be required to use some simple MAPLE programming to solve some of the problems. The quizzes will resemble the homework assigned. I will use your five best quizzes and ten best homeworks in your grade. Each homework will have 10 points deducted for each school day (M-F) that it is late.

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 two mid-term exams and a cumulative final exam. These may be a take-home exam, but it is unlikely.

Grading: I will follow roughly a 100-90-80-70-60 grading scale.

Homework sets	20%
Quizzes	20%
Midterms	35%
Final	25%

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.

Changes: If they become necessary, I will notify you of any changes made to the syllabus.