Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Spring 2013
Section1: 102 Leonhard Bldg., MWF 1:25 - 2:15 pm
Section 2: Web
Instructor Dr. Jos A. Ventura, 356 Leonhard Bldg., 865-3841, javentura@psu.edu
Office Hours MW 3:00 - 4:00 pm, Th 11:00 am - Noon (or by appointment)
Objective The field of operations research focuses on the formulation, analysis, and implementation of
quantitative methods to support effective management decision-making. This course will introduce
students to several important types of mathematical and stochastic models, and solution techniques,
including network flow models, dynamic programming, Markov chains, queueing theory, inventory
control, and supply chain management. Such models and techniques can provide valuable insights
into several design and planning problems, and thus facilitate their effective analysis.
Textbook F.S. Hillier and G.J. Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, 9th Ed., McGraw Hill, 2010.
References A. Ravindran, D. Phillips, and J. Solberg, Operations Research: Principles and Practice, 2nd Ed.,
John Wiley & Sons, 1987.
W.L. Winston, Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms, 4th Ed., Thomson, 2004.
H.A. Taha, Operations Research: An Introduction, 8th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2007.
Homework Assigned weekly/biweekly; no collected; may use software that comes with text; solutions provided.
Quizzes Given weekly/biweekly on ANGEL (posted: Thursday at 5:00 pm; due: Friday at 11:00 am).
Topic Outline
Calendar of Events
Date(s) Event
Jan. 7 Classes begin
Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Day - no classes
Feb. 11 - March 3 Final exam conflict - filing period
First Midterm (6:30 - 8:30 pm, Sec. 1: 358 Willard, Sec. 2: 362 Willard):
Feb. 20
one sheet of notes is allowed; bring pen/pencil, eraser, ruler, and calculator
March 4 - 8 Spring Break - no classes
Second Midterm (6:30 - 8:30 pm, Sec. 1: 358 Willard, Sec. 2: 362 Willard):
April 3
one sheet of notes is allowed; bring pen/pencil, eraser, ruler, and calculator
April 5 Late drop - deadline
April 15 Case study report due date
April 26 Classes end
Final Exam: three sheets of notes are allowed; bring pen/pencil, eraser,
To be announced
ruler, and calculator