Units
Operations Research 3B
Unit code: MAN625
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Operations research techniques are used in most industries that are concerned with the application of scientific methods in decision making, especially the allocation of resources. There is thus a need for graduate students who can make decisions on the most appropriate technology to solve a particular problem and implement it. This unit will build on the foundation of previous Operations Research units to develop knowledge and skills in using advanced techniques, tools and methods.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Operations research techniques are used in most industries that are concerned with the application of scientific methods in decision making, especially the allocation of resources. There is thus a need for graduate students who can make decisions on the most appropriate technology to solve a particular problem and implement it.
Aims
This unit will build on the foundation of previous Operations Research units to develop knowledge and skills in using advanced techniques, tools and methods.
Objectives
Successful completion of this unit will enable you to:
1. Formulate a real-life problem in mathematical terms.
2. Select and apply Operations Research techniques, tools and methods to solve and analyse a variety of problems in this area.
3. Use spreadsheet modelling and other computer based techniques.
4. Express the solution to a problem in both quantitative and qualitative form; and
5. Use abstract and critical thinking skills in relation to operations research problems.
Content
- Phases of an operations research study.
- Decision analysis:
- Queuing theory:
- Simulation:
- Implementation in operations research:
- Heuristic techniques:
- Recent developments in operations research.
- decision making without experimentation;
- Bayes' criterion;
- decision making with experimentation; and
- operations research applications and real life case studies.
- the distribution of service times;
- single server and multi-server queues;
- the effect of changes in facility utilisation;
- queues with priorities, pre-emptive priorities; and
- application to a variety of situations.
- pseudo-random numbers and their generation;
- sampling from observed binomial, poison, exponential, erlang and normal distributions;
- variance reducing techniques;
- the simulation languages;
- the design of simulation experiments verification and limitations of simulation;
- simulation in system analysis and system design; and
- cases include application in the utilisation of plant, scheduling, queuing systems, rail systems and business management.
- the role of management in operations research projects, why management should be involved and how it may be involved;
- the selection of projects, cost effectiveness, time availability and data availability;
- the control of projects, co-operation or lack of it from interested parties; and
- testing and implementation, the importance of completeness and validating results.
- metaheuristics; and
- application of heuristics to real life case studies.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The material will be presented by formal lectures of two hours duration per week. Consolidation of concepts and techniques presented is achieved through workshops and practical sessions with emphasis placed on solving problems related to specific work situations. Operations Research computer package programs and Microsoft Office Excel will be used for quick connection of theory and practice. Real-life case studies in the application of operations research techniques to solve problems from different industry sectors will be provided as assignments to you.
Creativity in problem-solving and critical assessment skills will be promoted with open discussions.
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits that postgraduate and undergraduate students attend the same lectures. Separate practical/discussion groups will be provided for postgraduate student where numbers allow.
Assessment
The assessment procedure is carefully designed to help you manage and optimise your learning throughout the semester, allowing for different individual situations and capabilities. The assessment procedure is designed to help you develop your understanding and skills throughout the semester, aiming for achievement of the synergies and synthesis of the unit by the end of semester.
The standard QUT pass parameters or less will be used in grade determination. More information can be found at the following web sites:
http://www.studentservices.qut.edu.au/assess/exams/ and http://www.studentservices.qut.edu.au/assess/appeals/Formative feedback is provided throughout the semester on individual, group and class work in verbal and written forms. Timely summative feedback is provided on all assessment, consisting of comments to assist students improve their understanding to all problems and case studies.
Assessment name:
Quiz/Test
Description:
There will be two quizzes as part of this unit.
Quiz 1 takes place in week 6 and covers weeks 1,2,3,4,and 5 of the content. Weighting: 10%.
The second quiz will take place in Week 11 and covers weeks 6,7,8 and 9 of the contents. Weighting: 10%.
These quizzes will give you an indication of your progress in this unit.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4 and 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6 & 11
Assessment name:
Case Study
Description:
There are two case studies as part of this unit.
Case study 1:Two real-life case studies using decision analysis techniques in which you will formulate, solve and analyse each problem. Weighting: 10%.
Case Study 2: Two real-life case studies using queuing theory and simulation techniques in which you will formulate, solve and analyse each problem. Weighting: 10%.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7 & 12
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
This will assess your knowledge and skills in using the techniques studied throughout this unit.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4 and 5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of Semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Texts:
Note: There is no prescribed text book. The first reference listed below is highly recommended.
References:
Note: There are several operations research books in the QUT library that you may find useful besides the five listed below:
1. Hillier FS (1995) Introduction to Operations Research, Oakland, Calif: Holden-Day
2. Winston WL (2004) Operations Research Applications and Algorithms, Boston: Duxbury Press
3. Taha HA (2010) Operations Research, An Introduction, New York: Macmillan
4. Pidd M (1984) Computer Simulation in Management Science, Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus. More information can be obtained from http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafe/index.jsp.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 03-May-2012
