Overview

This course studies operations research decision-making techniques and data analysis using spreadsheets. The topics in the course will be divided into two broad types of problems: optimization and data analysis. Specific topics include:

Optimization

  • Break Even Analysis
  • Linear Programming
  • Integer Programming
  • Non-Linear Programming
  • Goal Programming

Data analysis

  • Descriptive statistics

  • Visualizing Data

  • Correlation Functions

  • Percentile Functions

  • Linear regression

Key Resources

  • Instructor: Mario Giacomazzo

  • Instructional Assistant: Bongsoo Yi

  • Syllabus: Section 1

  • Description: This course studies operations research decision-making techniques and data analysis using spreadsheets. The topics in the course will be divided into two broad types of problems: optimization and data analysis. Specific topics include:

    • Break even analysis
    • Linear programming
    • Integer programming
    • Non-linear programming
    • Goal programming
    • Descriptive statistics
    • Visualizing data
    • Correlation functions
    • Percentile functions
    • Linear regression

  • University Approved Absence: Online Form

  • Zoom Links:

Course Material

Date Topic Slides Spreadsheets Reading
JAN 20 Introduction
JAN 22 Break-Even Analysis Slides Ch. 1
JAN 25 Basic Linear Programming Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 1-2
JAN 27 Additional Linear Programming Slides Ch. 2
JAN 29 Special Cases / Computer Solution Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 2-3
FEB 1 Sensitivity Analysis Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 3, Link 1
FEB 3 Complex Linear Program/ Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 4
FEB 5 Linear Algebra Link 1, Link 2
FEB 8 Review in Applications Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3 Ch. 4
FEB 10 Basic Integer Programming Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 5
FEB 12 Advanced Integer Programming Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3 Ch. 5-6
FEB 15 Wellness Day I
FEB 17 Transport/Transship/Assign Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 6
FEB 19 Intro to Network Flow Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 6-7, Link 1
FEB 22 Shortest Route Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 7
FEB 24 Midterm 1 Review Ch. 1-5
FEB 26 Midterm 1 Solutions Spreadsheets Ch. 1-5
MAR 1 Maximal Flow Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 7
MAR 3 Minimal Spanning Tree Slides Ch. 7
MAR 5 Intro to Goal Programming Slides Ch. 9
MAR 8 Intro to Goal Programming (Cont.) Slides Ch. 9
MAR 10 Goal Programming in Excel Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 9
MAR 12 Wellness Day II
MAR 15 Review of Midterm I
MAR 17 Goal Programming Case Study Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 9
MAR 19 Goal Programming Practice / Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 9
Activity Sheet 3, Sheet 4 Ch. 9
MAR 22 Intro to Nonlinear Programming Slides Ch. 10
MAR 24 More Nonlinear Programming Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 10
Sheet 3, Sheet 4 Ch. 10
MAR 26 More Nonlinear Examples Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 10
MAR 29 Nonlinear Case Study Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 10
MAR 31 Descriptive Statistics Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 11, Link 1, Link 2
APR 2 BEST FRIDAY
APR 5 Wellness Day III
APR 7 Midterm 2 Review Ch. 6-7, 9
APR 9 Midterm 2 Solutions Spreadsheets Ch. 6-7, 9
APR 12 Descriptive Statistics (Cont.) Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 11, Link 1, Link 2
APR 14 More Descriptive Statistics Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 11
APR 16 Bivariate Data Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 11, Link 1, Link 2
APR 19 Intro to Probability Slides Ch. 11, Link 1, Link 2
APR 21 Additional Probability Slides Ch. 11
APR 23 Definitely Probability Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 11
APR 26 Discrete Simulation Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 14, Link 1, Link 2
APR 28 Continuous Simulation Slides Sheet 1 Ch. 13-14, Link 1
APR 30 Final Simulation Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 13-14
MAY 3 Final Simulation (Cont.) Slides Sheet 1, Sheet 2 Ch. 13-14
MAY 5 Exam Review
May 13 (8AM) Final Exam

Asynchronous Mini-Lectures

For additional resources, check out these mini-lectures designed by Will Lassiter and Mariana Olvera-Cravioto. My advice is to watch these before class so that you may be better prepared on key content before class.

Week Video
JAN 25-29 Link
JAN 25-29 Link
FEB 1-5 Link
FEB 1-5 Link
FEB 8-12 Link
FEB 8-12 Link
MAR 1-5 Link
MAR 1-5 Link
MAR 15-19 Link
MAR 15-19 Link
MAR 22-26 Link
MAR 22-26 Link
MAR 29-31 Link
MAR 29-31 Link
APR 5-9 Link
APR 5-9 Link
APR 12-16 Link
APR 12-16 Link
APR 19-23 Link
APR 19-23 Link
APR 26-30 Link
APR 26-30 Link

Assignment Tracker

All homework assignments are to be submitted through Sakai by 11:59PM on Friday. No late homework is accepted.

Assigned Material Homework Solutions Due
JAN 22 Chapter 1-2 HW1 HW1 JAN 29
JAN 29 Chapter 2 HW2 HW2 FEB 5
FEB 5 Chapter 3-4 HW3 HW3 FEB 12
FEB 12 Chapter 5 HW4 HW4 FEB 19
FEB 26 Chapter 6 HW5 HW5 MAR 5
MAR 3 Chapter 7 HW6 HW6 MAR 12
MAR 14 Chapter 7 HW7 HW7 MAR 21
MAR 19 Chapter 7,9 HW8 HW8 MAR 26
MAR 26 Chapter 10 HW9 HW9 APR 9
APR 9 Chapter 10-11 HW10 HW10 APR 16
APR 16 Chapter 11 HW11 HW11 APR 23
APR 23 Chapter 11,13-14 HW12 HW12 MAY 5 (WED)

Additional Resources

This page was last updated on 2021-05-12 09:58:59 Eastern Time.