28669 - Optimisation Tools Laboratory T-A

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of simulation and optimization software for complex systems.

Course contents

A good knowledge of the basics of Operations Research is required.

The course focuses on applying theoretical techniques of simulation and mathematical modelling studied in Operations Research to solve decision problems by software tools.

The goal is, on one hand, to let the students get a good familiarity of the simulation and optimization software, and, on the other hand, to deepen their knowledge on optimization techniques to solve complex problems.

Syllabus:
1. Review of Numerical Simulation
2. Process Interaction Simulation
3. Arena Commercial Software (use of the basic modules, statistic computation, queue analysis)
4. Review of Linear Programming and Integer Linear Programming
5. Mathematical models
6. Microsoft Excel with Excel solver (model definition and solution, sensitivity analysis)
7. AMPL Software with commercial solvers (syntax, model definition and solution)

Readings/Bibliography

Course slides available on virtuale.unibo.it.
Supplementary material: software handbooks available on the web.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into two parts: the first one is about numerical simulation and Arena software, while the second part deals with Linear and Integer Linear Programming models as well as Excel and AMPL software.
The course consists of lectures and exercises, all of them in the computer lab. The lectures teach the use of the simulation and optimization software on simple problems. In addition, the basics of the theory employed by the software is recalled. The exercises are guided by the teacher and case studies are proposed: the students are invited to solve some variants on their own by using the simulation and optimization software. At the end of each exercise, the teacher shows a solution.

 

As indicated by the University: according to the type of activities and didactic methods of this laboratory course, to attend the course students are required to participate, before the course starts, to modules 1 e 2 of the e-learning course on safety in the study places, [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/].

Assessment methods

For the exam assessment during the course refer to section News: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/valentina.cacchiani/avvisi/0f1b768a

Each project is evaluated by A, B or C. A corresponds to >=18, B corresponds to >=15 and <18, and C corresponds to <15. The exam is passed only if the evaluations of the two mid-term projects are: both projects with A, or one project with A and the other one with B.
If one gets C in the first mid-term project or does not prepare any mid-term project, he/she cannot take part to the second project and must take the complete lab exam at the end of the course. If one does not take part to the second project, he/she must take the complete lab exam (even if the first project was evaluated A or B).

For the exam assessment at the end of the course:

The student has to do a complete lab exam, that is on both parts (simulation and mathematical models) in the same day and takes about two hours.

The lab exam aims at verifying the student skills in the use of the software to solve simulation and optimization problems. A good knowledge of the basics of Operations Research is required.

The student develops the project by using the suitable software and writes answers to simple questions on the project. Only the material (e.g. slides, exercises) uploaded on the student's account in the lab pc can be used. Usb sticks, paper notes, books, smartphones, laptops, tablets cannot be used.

It is required that the students register on AlmaEsami to take part to the exams (both for the mid-term and for the complete exams).

Teaching tools

The commercial software ARENA for Process Interaction Simulation.
Excel and AMPL software for Integer Linear Programming.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Cacchiani