Courses & Units
Operations Research 2 KMA255
Introduction
This unit teaches students skills and techniques that are used to answer practical questions arising in Operations Research. These questions typically also arise in Engineering, Management, Finance, Economics, and Teaching. For example, How long do I expect to have to wait for the next bus? How should I balance the products my factory makes, to maximise my profit? and What is the best way to send electricity from this set of power stations to these homes, to minimise power loss? Operations Research includes the solution of optimization problems, modelling, and simulation. This unit provides necessary background in probability and graph theory, and then using those tools introduces students to methods in modelling stochastic systems as Discrete Time Markov Chains, and analysing their expected behaviour. It also gives students tools, such as the Simplex Method, to solve Linear Programming optimization and Transportation problems, and heuristic methods to solve computationally intractable problems like the Travelling Salesman Problem. This unit is a required component of the Statistics and Decision Science major in the BSc.
Summary
| Unit name | Operations Research 2 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KMA255 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
| Discipline | Mathematics |
| Coordinator | Professor Michael Charleston |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Intermediate |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Explain and apply fundamentals of probability and graph theory relevant to operations research.
- Analyse short- and long- term behaviour of discrete time Markov chains.
- Solve problems in linear programming using standard techniques.
- Select and apply standard heuristic methods to computationally intractable problems in operations research.
- Interpret and communicate mathematical arguments using appropriate terminology and notation, as they relate to problems in operations research.
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 010101 | $555.00 | $555.00 | not applicable | $2,648.00 |
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Prerequisites
Any KMA unitTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | 3 x 1-hr lectures, 1 x 1-hr tutorial, 1x 1-hr workshop / computer lab |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Quiz 1: Probability and Basics of Graphs (5%)|Assignment 1 (10%)|Assignment 2 (10%)|Lab exercises (10%)|Tutorial Exercises (10%)|Quiz 2: Discrete Time Markov Chains (15%)|Examination (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
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