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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Mathematics : Mathematics

Postgraduate Course: Fundamentals of Optimization (MATH11111)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Mathematics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryClassification of optimization problems; Convexity in optimization; Linear programming: Model formulation and assumptions; Graphical solution; Simplex method; Duality theory; Dual simplex method; Sensitivity analysis; Large-scale linear programming; Unconstrained nonlinear optimization; Optimality conditions.
Course description This course is designed to expose students to different types of optimization problems and to introduce appropriate solution approaches for each type. The role of convexity in optimization is emphasised. The course provides an in-depth treatment of linear programming and solving linear programming problems using the simplex method. The students will be exposed to the theoretical foundations of linear programming problems. The role of duality and sensitivity analysis for linear programming problems are examined. Alternative solution approaches for large-scale linear programming are discussed. The course gives a brief introduction to nonlinear optimization and introduces a few basic algorithms for unconstrained optimization. A tentative list of course topics is as follows: -Introduction, taxonomy of optimization problems, basic examples -Convex sets, convex functions, role of convexity in optimization-Introduction to linear programming, graphical solution, standard form linearprogramming, vertices, simplex method in tableau form -Two-phase simplex method, infeasible and unbounded LPs -Finite convergence of the simplex method -Duality theory -Dual simplex method -Sensitivity analysis, economic interpretation of the dual problem-Large-scale linear programming, column generation, cutting plane methods -Introduction to nonlinear optimization, optimality conditions -Basic algorithms for unconstrained optimization
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: ( Proofs and Problem Solving (MATH08059) AND Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH08057)) OR ( Accelerated Proofs and Problem Solving (MATH08071) AND Accelerated Algebra and Calculus for Direct Entry (MATH08062))
Students MUST have passed: Several Variable Calculus and Differential Equations (MATH08063) OR Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus (PHYS08042)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Note that PGT students on School of Mathematics MSc programmes are not required to have taken pre-requisite courses, but they are advised to check that they have studied the material covered in the syllabus of each pre-requisite course before enrolling.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Course Start Date 16/09/2024
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 22, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 62 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 20% coursework, 80% examination
Feedback Before each assessment, a problem set will be announced. Each problem set will have the same format as the following assessment, i.e., a combination of STACK exercises and open-ended problems. STACK exercises will provide instant individual feedback to students. Open-ended problems will be discussed during the workshop in the following week, virtual office hours,and possibly in the discussion forums.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Fundamentals of Optimization2:120
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify different types of optimization problems, and be able to connect these with the available methods for their solution.
  2. Apply appropriate optimization techniques to solve small optimization problems by hand.
  3. Discuss and interpret the sensitivity of a solution of an optimization problem to changes in the parameter values of the problem.
Reading List
-Introduction to Linear Optimization, Dimitris Bertsimas and John N. Tsitsiklis, Athena Scientific, Dynamic Ideas, LLC, Belmont, Massachusetts, 1997, ISBN: 1886529191 -Linear Programming: Foundations and Extensions, Robert J. Vanderbei; Fred Hillier (Editor); Robert J. Vanderbei (Editor), Springer US, Boston, Massachusetts, 2008, Third Edition, International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, ISBN: 0387743871 -Linear Programming and Network Flows, Mokhtar S. Bazaraa, John J. Jarvis, Hanif D. Sherali, Hoboken, N.J, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, Fourth edition, ISBN: 0471485993-Linear and Nonlinear Programming, David G. Luenberger, Yinyu Ye, Springer US, New York, NY, 2008, Third Edition, International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, ISBN: 0387745025
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsFuO
Contacts
Course organiserProf Alper Yildirim
Tel: (0131 6)50 5271
Email: E.A.Yildirim@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Gemma Aitchison
Tel: (0131 6)50 9268
Email: Gemma.Aitchison@ed.ac.uk
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