Department of Mathematics

School of Natural Sciences

Optimization (MAT 388)

Spring 2016
Instructor: Samit Bhattacharyya
Office: 219D (C-wing), samit.b@snu.edu.in
Credits (Lec:Tut:Lab)= 3:1:0 (3 lectures and 1 tutorial weekly)
Prerequisite: Any one of MAT 102 (Calculus II), MAT 202 (Mathematical
Methods) or MAT 260 (Linear Algebra I)
Overview: Optimization deals with the problem of establishing the best &
worst cases for a given situation. This course deals mostly with the special
case of linear programming, which is commonly applied to problems of
business and economics as well as industrial problems in transportation,
energy and telecommunication.
Detailed Syllabus:
1. Mathematical modeling and optimization problem formulation
2. Application of optimization (linear case)
3. Geometry of linear optimization
4. Simplex method
5. Duality theory
6. Sensitivity analysis
7. Graphs and Network flow problems
8. Discrete optimization or Integer programming formulations
9. Non-linear optimization introduction and applications
Main References:
1. Linear Programming by G. Hadley, Narosa, 2000
2. Operations Research by Hamdy A. Taha, 2011
3. Understanding and Using Linear Programming by J. Matousek and B.
Grtner, Springer, 2006
Other references

Introduction to linear optimization by Bertsimas and Tsitsiklis

Understanding and Using Linear Programming by Matousek and Grtner

Theory of Linear and Integer Programming by Schrijver

Timetable and venue (MAT 388)

Mon

Tue
9-10.30am
(D-116)

Wed

Thu
9-10.30am
(D-116)

Thu
1-2pm
(D-007)

Teaching Method
Type

Number

Length (hours)

Lectures
Tutorials
Assignments

32 (2/week)
14
3-4

1.5 hours
1 hour

Students
engagement
4 hours/week

Tutorials include problem solving, quizzes and discussion on

assignment problems.

Assignments solutions should be back by two weeks from distribution.

Assessment Scheme:
Quizzes
Assignments
Midterm Exam
Final Exam

15%
15%
30%
40%

Attendance Policy
From the 2015 SNU Undergraduate handbook:
It is mandatory for the students to attend 75% of all contact hours of a
course. Students will not be allowed to sit for the final exam of the course if
their attendance is less than 75% and will get an F grade in the course. Also,
those who are auditing the course will get an AF grade if the attendance is
less than 75%.
Therefore attendance will be taken in every lecture and tutorial of this course,
and you must maintain an overall level of 75%. The attendance will be taken
either by a roll-call or an attendance sheet. Fake attendance counts as
academic dishonesty and will be treated accordingly.


Academic Malpractice Policy and Consequences:
The SNU Policy on Academic Malpractice and Plagiarism for Students
(downloadable from snulinks.snu.edu.in) sets out the universitys definitions of
plagiarism and cheating and the consequences for a student who commits
them.
The policy requires instructors to report any case of academic dishonesty to
the Dean (UG or Graduate), with punishment ranging from a zero in the
evaluation instrument to expulsion from the university. Instructors cannot
forgive or assign their own punishments.
In case of any doubt whether an action would be considered plagiarism or
cheating, please consult with the instructor or the Deans office. Note that you
may not claim ignorance of what is academic dishonesty as an excuse:
The University has a zero tolerance policy towards academic malpractice and
plagiarism and treats lapses without leniency. To claim ignorance will not
preclude the offender from the penalties accrued of having unintentionally
plagiarized.