CSCI 508 Operations Research

Fall 2010
Prerequisite: None
Administrative Information:
Class Duration:
Day/Time:
Location:
Campus Phone:

September 28 to December 19, 2010

Sunday 9:00 am.- 12:45 p.m.
Manassas Campus, Room 127
(703) 941-0949

Instructor Contact Information:

Instructor:
Office Hours:

Dr. Hossein Fateh

Before the class.
By appointment

E-mail:

hfateh.faculty@unva.edu,

Phone: (703) 713 - 0458

10:00 am 3:00 pm only

Instructional Material:
An Introduction to Operations Research, by Hamdy A. Taha. 8th edition.

Course Description:
Survey of deterministic methods of solving "real world" decision problems. The linear
programming model and simplex method of solution, duality, and sensitivity analysis; and
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an introduction to integer and nonlinear programming are covered. Emphasis on modeling

and problem solving. A survey of probabilistic methods for solving decision problems
under uncertainty.
. (3 credit hours)

Course Learning Outcome:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Explain the theories and practices of Operations Research.

Develop a basic understanding of Operations Research and
decision-making models and their application
Explain and use some of the most widely used Optimization Models
Designated weekly learning outcomes are listed in a separate file which is
available upon request.

Teaching Method:
Emphasis will be placed on Lecture and problem solving. Student are required to
complete a research paper and give the presentation in class.

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Course Schedule and Outline:

Week

Date

Lecture Topic

Assignment
Given

Assignment
Due

Textbook
Reading

10- 3 -10

Introduction to Linear Programming

Ch. 2

10-10-10

The Primal Simplex Method

Ch. 3

10-17-10

Duality and Sensitivity Analysis

10-24-10

Integer Linear Programming

10-31- 10 Classical Optimization Theory

Assignment 1

Ch. 4
Assignment 1

Ch. 9
Ch. 20

11-7- 10

Midterm test

11-14 -10

Classical Optimization Theory (cont.)

11-21- 10

Review of Basic Probability

11- 28-10 Decision Analysis and Games

10

12- 5- 10

Decision Analysis and Games (cont.)

11

12-12-10

Advanced Linear Programming

12

12-19-10

Final test

Assignment 2

Ch. 20.
Assignment 2

Ch. 12
Ch. 14

Assignment 3

Ch. 14
Assignment 3

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Ch. 7

Course Requirement and Evaluation:

Evaluation will occur via quizzes, exams, homework assignments, presentation, in-class
exercises, case analyses, class participation, class attendance, etc.

The deliverables will entail 1,000 possible points, broken down as follows:
100 points

Attendance

200 points

Paper and presentation

100 points

Home Work

100 points

Computer work

250 points

Midterm Exam

250 points

Final Exam

1000 points

The numerical score is then converted to a letter grade using the following scale:
Above 900 - A
Above 800 - B
Above 700 - C
Above 600 D (for undergrad only)
Below 599 - F

Supporting Material:
Journal of Computer Science and Operations Research
Journal of Management Science
Journal of Networking
Journal of Wireless Networking
Journal of Heuristics

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Academic Integrity:
Academic honesty is non-negotiable. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of course
requirements must be the student's own work. Plagiarism and/or any other form of
academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero on the
assignment. Students should consult the Students Handbook on the University web-site or
in the University catalog.

Attendance, Absence, Lateness, Incomplete:

International students in the US on F-1 visas, and Students receiving Veterans benefits are
reminded that regular attendance is required. The university is required by law to report
excessive absenteeism by students in these two categories.

In accordance with the policies of the University of Northern Virginia, class attendance is

required. If a student has more than three absences in consecutive weeks, he or she will
be asked to meet with the International Student Advisor.
It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor prior to an absence from class.
Messages can be left at the instructors e-mail or phone. Students are responsible for work
missed during an absence.
Each class will start promptly at the scheduled time.
A course grade of incomplete will be given only under very unusual circumstances, and
only if the student has completed at least 75% of the assigned work by the last day of class
and only when an incomplete contract is signed and approved.

Learning Resources/Library:
Utilization of library resources is an indispensible part of your education at the UNVA. Our
librarians are available to assist you from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please
take advantage of this opportunity for assistance to your success while you are here at
UNVA.
The UNVA library offers an extensive range of resources, particularly online, for student
use. Our library subscription journal databases include:
ABI/INFORM Complete
o ABI Dateline
o ABI Global
o ABI T&I
Academic OneFile
Business & Company Resource Center
Business ASAP
Business Source Complete
Computer Database
Dissertations & Theses
EconLit with Full Text
Education Research Complete
ERIC

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 Expanded Academic ASAP

General Business File ASAP
General OneFile
Health and Wellness Resource Center
Health Reference Center Academic
IBISWorld
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers
LegalTrac
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts
Literature Resource Center
Newsletters ASAP
ProQuest Psychology Journals
ProQuest Research Library
Student Resource Center Gold Edition
Teacher Reference Center
...and other article databases
The library also provides access to thousands of electronic books, including:
ebrary
EBL Books
Safari Business & Tech Books
...and other e-book collections

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