OR/ISE/MA505 Syllabus

OR/ISE/MA 505: Syllabus

Fall 2023

Time

Tu, Th 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

* DELTA Classroom System will automatically record our lectures at the published class starting and ending times and on the published class days. Registered students can view the recorded lectures in our 505 classroom content folder at: <https://ncsu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx#folderID=4b5840ca-8eaf-4332-95b5-b05600759cab>

* DELTA also provides a synchronized video service with a 40-second delay at the same link to enable you attending the class online.

* If a student opens the course folder before the start time of the webcast, then they will need to refresh their browser and select the title of the webcast. The webcast will then open in a new tab. Because of the 40 second delay, the following message will appear: “This page will update once the webcast begins”. After 40 seconds the webcast will begin.
* If a student opens an individual webcast link and attempts to view it before the webcast start time then the following message will appear: “This page will update once the webcast begins”. After 40 seconds the webcast will begin.

Room

00313 Monteith Engineering Research

Instructor

Professor S.-C. Fang (fang@ncsu.edu)

 

  • Office Hours
    Tu, Th 2:30 – 3:30 PM (or by appointment)

Teaching Assistant

Prerequisite

  • Matrix Theory
  • Linear Algebra
  • OR 501 – Introduction to Operations Research (or equivalent)

Related Courses

  • OR 501 – Introduction to Operations Research
  • OR/MA 504 – Introduction to Mathematical Programming
  • OR 705 – Large Scale Linear Programming Systems
  • OR/MA/ST 706 – Nonlinear Programming
  • IE/OR/MA 766 – Network Flows
  • ISE789/OR791 – Support Vector Machines and Neural Networks
  • ISE789/OR791 – Optimization Models for Machine Learning

Course Objectives

ISE/OR/MA 505 is a course that provides the fundamental understanding to the theory and algorithms of linear optimization. It involves mathematical analysis, theorem proving, algorithm design and numerical methods. It intends to lead students into more advanced optimization theory and applications. It is also a preparatory course for ISE/OR students to take their PhD Qualifying Exams on this subject.

 

Course Contents

  • Introduction to LP
  • Geometric Interpretation of LP
  • The Simplex Method
  • Duality and Sensitivity Analysis
  • Interior Point Methods
  • Robust Optimization

 

Textbook

Linear Optimization and Extensions: Theory and Algorithms (S-C Fang and Puthenpura), Prentice Hall 1993. ISBN-13‎ 978-0139152658

 

Grading

  • Homeworks – 20%
  • First Exam – 25%
  • Second Exam – 25%
  • Final Exam – 30%

Evaluation Standard

  • A – 88 and above
  • B – 75 to 87
  • C – 60 to 74
  • Fail – under 60

Homework

  • About 10 homework assignments
  • TA will hold a recitation for each homework.
  • Rule 1: No late homework without TA’s approval
  • Rule 2: Convince TA for any grade changes.

Exams

  • Rule 3: No make-up exam without instructor’s pre-approval or “doctor’s notes” from hospital.
  • First Exam: Up to the Simplex Method, closed book exam.
  • Second Exam: Up to Duality and Sensitivity, closed book exam with one 4×6 index card.
  • Final Exam: Comprehensive with emphasis on the Interior Point Methods, closed book with one sheet of 8×11 paper.

End-of-Semester Class Evaluation

Online class evaluations will be available for students to complete during the last two weeks of class. Students will receive an email message directing them to a website where they can login using their Unity ID and complete evaluations. All evaluations are confidential; instructors will never know how any one student responded to any question, and students will never know the ratings for any particular instructors.

Evaluation Website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu

Student help desk: classeval@ncsu.edu

More information about ClassEval: http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/index.htm

Academic Integrity

A student is expected to know what constitutes academic misconduct found in the Code of Student Conduct Policy ( POL11.35.1) , and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offense, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course instructor.

Students with Disabilities

North Carolina State University retains authority, through the Disability Services Office (located in Student Health Services Building, Suite 2221), in determining appropriate accommodations after giving consideration to the preferences of the student, the documentation provided, and institutional expertise in working with students with disabilities. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the Disability Services Office at the beginning of each academic term.

COVID-19 Information

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures continue to be implemented across campus.  Students should stay current with these practices and expectations through the Protect the Pack website (https://www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus/). The sections below provide expectations and conduct related to COVID-19 issues.

Health and Participation in Class  

We are most concerned about your health and the health of your classmates and instructors/TAs. 

  • If you test positive for COVID-19, or are told by a healthcare provider that you are presumed positive for the virus,  you should not attend any hybrid or face-to-face (F2F) classes and work with your instructor on any adjustments necessary; also follow other university guidelines, including self-reporting (Coronavirus Self Reporting):  Self-reporting is not only to help provide support to you, but also to assist in contact tracing for containing the spread of the virus. 
  • If you feel unwell, even if you have not been knowingly exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to a F2F class or activity. 
  • If you are in quarantine, have been notified that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or have a personal or family situation related to COVID-19 that prevents you from attending this course in person (or synchronously), please connect with your instructor to make alternative plans, as necessary. 
  • If you need to make a request for an academic consideration related to COVID-19, such as a discussion about possible options for remote learning, please talk with your instructor. 

Health and Well-Being Resources

These are difficult times, and academic and personal stress are natural results. Everyone is encouraged to take care of themselves and their peers. If you need additional support, there are many resources on campus to help you:

  • Counseling Center (NCSU Counseling Center) 
  • Student Health Services (Health Services | Student) 
  • If the personal behavior of a classmate concerns or worries you, either for the classmate’s well-being or yours, we encourage you to report this behavior to the NC State CARES team:  (Share a Concern).  
  • If you or someone you know are experiencing food, housing or financial insecurity, please see the Pack Essentials Program (Pack Essentials). 

Community Standards related to COVID-19

We are all responsible for protecting ourselves and our community.  Please see the community standards (which have been updated for 2021) and Rule 04.21.01 regarding Personal Safety Requirements Related to COVID-19  RUL 04.21.01 – Personal Safety Requirements Related to COVID-19 – Policies, Regulations & Rules

Course Expectations Related to COVID-19:

  • Face Coverings: All members of the NC State academic community are expected to follow all university policies and guidelines, including the Personal Safety Rule and community standards, for the use of face coverings.  Face coverings are required in instructional spaces. Face coverings should be worn to cover the nose and mouth and be close fitting to the face with minimal gaps on the sides. 
  • Course Attendance: NC State attendance policies can be found at:  REG 02.20.03 – Attendance Regulations – Policies, Regulations & Rules.  Please refer to the course’s attendance, absence, and deadline policies for additional details. If you are quarantined or otherwise need to miss class because you have been advised that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should not be penalized regarding attendance or class participation. However, you will be expected to develop a plan to keep up with your coursework during any such absences.  If you become ill with COVID-19, you should follow the steps outlined in the health and participation section above. COVID 19-related absences will be considered excused; documentation need only involve communication with your instructor.
  • Technology Requirements:  This course may require particular technologies to complete coursework.  Be sure to review the syllabus for these expectations, and see the syllabus technical requirements for your course. If you need access to additional technological support, please contact  the Libraries’ Technology Lending Service:  (Technology Lending).

Course Delivery Changes Related to COVID-19

Please be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 is frequently changing, and the delivery mode of this course could change accordingly, including from in-person to remote.  Regardless of the delivery method, we will strive to provide a high-quality learning experience.  

NO LONGER AVAILABLE – Grading/Scheduling Changing Options Related to COVID-19

Two policies, (1) enhanced S/U Grading Option, and (2) Late Course Drops, were put in place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to ease student stress and promote course completion. Those two policies have been discontinued and thus are no longer available to students.

For situations where relief may be needed, and depending on the details, students should explore the applicability of an “incomplete” grade in the course. If you are experiencing difficult or extenuating circumstances, you should discuss possible options with your instructor and your academic advisor.     

Need Help?

If you find yourself in a place where you need help, academically or otherwise, please review these Step-by-Step Help Topics.

Other Important Resources