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Course

Introduction to Operations Research - ZEIT7401

Faculty: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

School: School of Engineering & Information Technology @ UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Course Outline: https://gateway.unsw.adfa.edu.au/isas/current_students/outlines/index.html

Campus: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Career: Postgraduate

Units of Credit: 6

EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)

Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3

Enrolment Requirements:

Restricted to students enrolled in Graduate Certificate programs.

CSS Contribution Charge: 2 (more info)

Tuition Fee: See Tuition Fee Schedule

Further Information: See Class Timetable

View course information for previous years.

Description

Operations research - a topic conceived in the Second World War by the US military - is the science of understanding and analysing problems to come up with a recommended course of action. It mimics the Military Appreciation Process. This course introduces students to the wide variety of models in Hard and Soft Operations Research (OR). The course starts with an overview of OR, its history, the code for best practice, and problem formulation. Hard OR topics will include linear programming, network theory, project management, trend analysis, probability theory, queuing theory and game theory. Soft OR topics will include an introduction to soft OR and simulation.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course you will know about:
1. different steps of quantitative decision making processes
2. a number of basic techniques in Management Science such as
a. Linear programming
b. Spreadsheet modelling
c. Network modelling
d. Project management
e. Trend analysis
f. Queuing models
g. Game theory
h. Simulation
i. Soft-OR
3. capability and limitations of Management Science techniques
4. applications of Management Science tools in quantitative decision making
5. spreadsheet-based decision modelling and other available software in Operations Research /Management Science.

Delivery Mode

Distance

Topics

  • History of Operations Research
  • Introduction to Modelling and Decision Making
  • Code of Best Practice
  • Linear Programming and Graphical Method
  • LP Formulation and Spreadsheet modelling
  • LP: Spreadsheet applications and Sensitivity Analysis
  • Network Modelling
  • Project Management
  • Trend Analysis (Regression & Time series)
  • Trend Analysis Contd.
  • Probability Theory
  • Queuing Models
  • Game Theory
  • Simulation
  • Introduction to Soft OR
  • Review & Case study

Assessment

5 assessment items in this course: 4 assignments and 1 project (or case study).
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Assignment 3
Assignment 4
Course Project

Course Texts/Software

Prescribed Text:
Ragsdale, C, T., Spreadsheet Modelling and Decision Analysis, South-Western College Publishing. 6th edition 2011

Recommended Text:
Nil

Prescribed Software:
You will need to use Excel Solver using PC to complete the requirements of this course.

Resources

You are expected to utilise a library, ADFA bookshop, community sources and online sources to obtain additional resources.
Aerial

Study Levels

Undergraduate Study Postgraudate Study Postgraduate Research Study Non-Award Study

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