THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

Department of Systems Engineering & Engineering Management

2017/2018
2nd Term

Course Code & Title: SEEM 2420 — Operations Research I

Instructor and Teaching Assistants

Instructor
Name Dr. NG, Chi-Kong, Kevin（伍志剛博士）
Office Room 704, William M.W. Mong Engineering Building
Telephone 3943 8305
Email ckng@se.cuhk.edu.hk

Please consult the course website

TA
http://www.se.cuhk.edu.hk/~ckng/seem2420/index.html

Lectures

Monday 2:30p.m. – 4:15p.m. LSK-LT1

Wednesday 4:30p.m. – 5:15p.m. MMW-LT2

Tutorials

• Tutorial sessions will be scheduled during the first lecture.

• Attend ONE of the tutorial sessions.
• NO tutorials in the first week.

1
Course Description & Content

This course aims at providing the fundamental understanding to the theory and algorithms
of some classes of Simplex-based linear optimization.

• Review of linear algebra.

• Linear programming: simplex methods, duality and sensitivity analysis.
• Network optimization: transportation and assignment problems.
• Modeling issues in linear programming and network applications.

Learning Outcomes

(P1) Ability to apply knowledge of linear algebra to the basic understanding of the theory
and algorithms of some classes of Simplex-based linear optimization
(P5) Ability to identify, formulate and solve some classes of Simplex-based linear
optimization problems
(P11) Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice appropriate to the degree discipline
(P12) Ability to use computer tool(s) to solve simple linear programming problems

Learning Activities

Activities Number of Hours (Per Week) Nature of Activities

Lecture
In class 0.75 × 3 M
Outside class
In class 0.75 M
Interactive Tutorial
Outside class
In class
Laboratory Work
Outside class 0.5 O
In class
Group Discussion
Outside class
In class
Field Trip
Outside class
In class
Project
Outside class
In class
Assignment
Outside class 1 M
In class
Reading
Outside class 3 O
In class
Other
Outside class
M: Mandatory activity in the course
O: Optional activity

2
Learning Resources

Notes (will be available for download from the Course Website):

[1] Lecture Notes
[2] Tutorial Notes
Textbooks (one copy of each book has been reserved in the University Library):
[3] F.S. Hillier and G.J. Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, 10th Edition,
McGraw-Hill, 2015
[4a] H.A. Taha, Operations Research: An Introduction, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2007 or
[4b] H.A. Taha, Operations Research: An Introduction, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2011.
Software:
• TORA (in the CDROM accompany with [4a] / available on the Companion Website of
[4b] http://www.pearsonhighered.com/tahainternational)
• Microsoft Excel with Solver
Course Website:
• http://www.se.cuhk.edu.hk/~ckng/seem2420/index.html
• Please do NOT distribute the web password through any channel, e.g., e-mail, forum,
newsgroup, etc.

Assessment Scheme

Task Nature Weight

Homework: 20%
• Individual homework assignments
• Will be available for download from the Course Website
Mid-Term Examination: 25%
• Monday, March 5
• In class (1.5 hours)
Final Examination: 55%
• Will be arranged by the University
• 2 hours
• ALL materials

3
Course Schedule (Tentative)

Class/Week Topic Requirements or References

0.5 week Introduction and Course Overview [1] Chapter 1
1 week Mathematical Background for Linear [1] Chapter 2
Programming Assignment 1A
1.5 week OR Modeling Approach and Linear [1] Chapter 3
Programming Model [3] Chapter 2, 3.1-3.5
[4a] 2.1-2.4.1
[4b] 2.1-2.3.1, 2.4
Assignment 1B
3.5 weeks Solving Liner Programming Problems by [1] Chapter 4
the Simplex Method [3] 4.1-4.7
[4a/b] 3.1-3.5
Assignments 2 and 3
2 weeks The Revised Simplex Method and the [1] Chapter 5
Fundamental Insight [3] Chapter 5
[4a/b] 7.1-7.2
Assignment 4
2.5 weeks Sensitivity Analysis and Duality [1] Chapter 6
[3] Chapter 6, 7.1-7.2
[4a/b] 3.6, Chapter 4, 7.4-7.5
Assignment 5
2 weeks Transportation Problems [1] Chapter 7
(and Assignment Problems) [3] Chapter 9
[4a/b] 5.1-5.4
Assignment 6

Feedback for Evaluation

• Questions and comments can be sent to the course e-mail account

seem2420@se.cuhk.edu.hk
• You should use your @Link accounts (@link.cuhk.edu.hk) or SEEM accounts
(@se.cuhk.edu.hk) for communication with the department especially for official
communication. E-Mails from other personal email accounts could be treated as spam
or junk mails by CUHK/Department computer servers and therefore NOT able to reach
the mailboxes of your course teacher and/or course tutors. Please also quote the
COURSE CODE and your STUDENT I.D. in your e-mail, otherwise, your
questions/comments may NOT be answered/handled.
• Comments can also be sent to the class representative(s). Class representative(s) will be
picked/elected later.
• At the completion of the course, you will be requested to fill out a course evaluation.

4
Course Rules

Lectures:
• Switch off your mobile phones or switch them to the silent/vibration mode during class.
• Refrain from talking and chatting in class.
Homework Assignments:
• Please hand in your homework to the assignment box (Locker B04, 5/F, ERB) before
2:00 p.m. on the prescribed due day.
• Submitting your homework to a wrong assignment box is considered as late
submission.
• Late submission of homework will NOT be accepted.
• According to the University’s regulation, every assignment must accompany by a
SIGNED DECLARATION of originality; assignments without such a declaration will
NOT be marked.
• The declaration form is available for download from:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/Eng_htm_files_(2013-
14)/declaration_en.doc
Examinations:
• Candidates may be DISQUALIFIED from the examination if they use unapproved
calculators. Sharing of calculators between candidates is NOT allowed. NO backup
calculators will be served. To see the list of approved models, please refer to
http://rgsntl.rgs.cuhk.edu.hk/rws_prd_life/re_menu/ex_00000004_p.asp?id=486
• NO make-up mid-term examination will be provided unless you can provide a doctor’s
sick leave certificate (but NOT an attendance certificate).
• Final examination will be held on the date scheduled by the University and it will not
be optional. If you could not sit for the final examination, you must apply in writing to
the Registrar for permission of absence. In case of illness/injury, the application must
be accompanied by a doctor’s letter certifying that you are unfit to take the
examination. To see the guideline, please refer to
http://rgsntl.rgs.cuhk.edu.hk/rws_prd_life/re_menu/ex_00000517.asp

Academic Honesty

• Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work,

and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedure applicable to breaches of such policy
and regulations. Details may be found at
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.
• With each assignment, students will be required to submit a statement that they are
aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures.