Course Name : Operations Research

Credits
Faculty Name
Program
Academic Year and Term

2.0
Prof. Manidatta Ray
MBA
2014-16
Term-II

1. Course Description
The complexities involved in decision making especially in the corporate world, require decision makers to
formulate structures of problems on which decisions are required. This considers various alternatives,
uncertainties associated with outcomes, analysis of problems in sequences and so on. To overcome these
issues in a competitive business environment and explaining the decision process in an effective manner,
this course Operations Research gives an insight to the students on several approaches like linear
programming, transportation problems, game theory, queuing theory, decision tree and networking. After
working on this course the students will be in a position to assimilate all the above cited facts in an
effective manner.
2.

Student Learning Outcomes

o
o
o
o

Students would be able to use of Operations Research methods for managerial decision making.
Students would be able to structure the managerial decision problems as mathematical models;
Students would be able to obtain the solution of those models and also to interpret the solutions
in taking effective yet efficient decisions.
This course would provide hands-on experience with software such as SOLVER/ LINGO to
demonstrate its use for solving OR problems.

3. Required Text Books and Reading Material

Books :

(i)
(ii)

Operations Research : By- H.A. Taha. (PHI Publication) Text Book.

Operations Research : By- Hillier and Lieberman. (TMH Publication) Reference Book.

Other Materials :
(i)
(ii)

Course Materials (PPTs) would be shared with students.

Handouts on specific topics would be given to students as and when required.

4. Tentative Session Plan (14 Sessions)

Session Number
1

3,4

Topics/Activities

Reading/case list etc.

Introduction to OR.
Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)
What is OR ?
Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Need of OR for Management Students. Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts
Applications of OR.
Introduction to LPP, Objective
Function, Constraints. Solutions to
LPP: Optimal, Feasible, Infeasible
Solutions .Formulation of LPP.
(Product Mix, Diet example)
Solving LPP : Graphical Method,
Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)
Bounded and Unbounded region
Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs)
Solving LPP : By Simplex Method and Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)
EXCEL Solver and LINGO.
Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs)
Transportation Models :
Introduction, Supply and Demand in
Transportation Model, Balanced and
Unbalanced transportation problem.
Solution of Transportation Model :
North-West corner Method , Least
Cost Method , VAM.
Optimality Test of Transportation
Model : Stepping Stone and MODI
Method .

Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)

Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts

Assignment Models : Introduction .

Solution (Hungarian Method)
Travelling Sales Man Problem .

9,10

Network Problem Modeling :

Introduction , Terminology, Shortest
Path ,CPM and PERT.

Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)

Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts
Case Discussion.
Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)
Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts

11,12

Game Theory : Introduction, Two

Person Zero Sum Game , Solution of
Pure Strategy Games, Principle of
Dominance.
Decision Analysis: Introduction,
Terminology , Various Decision
Environments, Decision Tree.

6, 7

13,14

Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)

Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts

Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)

Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts
Case Discussion.
Book : H.A. Taha .(Text Book)
Hillier and Lieberman(Ref)
Course Material (PPTs) and Handouts.
Case Discussion.

5. Evaluation Components and Distribution of Marks

Class participation : 10% of M.M.
Quizz 1 in session # 5 : 10% of M.M. (Course covered in Session 1 -4)
Quizz 2 in session # 10 : 10% of M.M. (Course covered in Session 5-9)
Quizz 3 in session # 14 : 10% of M.M. (Course covered in Session 10-14)
Mid-Term Examination : 25% of M.M (Course covered upto mid term)
End-Term Examination : 35% of M.M. (Course covered after Mid-term Exam)
Max. Marks (M.M.) : 100
6. Academic Integrity

Make your presence available inside the class five minutes before the schedule. As a matter of courtesy, do
not knock the door once the class room door is closed.
Clear your doubts immediately after the class so that you do not accumulate.
Handouts on a particular subject will be given to you as and when required.
Come with calculator and Laptop to the class.
Alterations in deadlines are not allowed under any circumstance.
Do not ask for any break in a 1 hr 30 minutes class.