OR 442/542 & MATH 442

Operations Research: Stochastic Models

Spring 2006

 

Instructor:                                             Dr. Martin Durbin

Phone:                                                    (703) 414-5012 (O); (703) 282-9622 (C)

E-mail:                                                   mdurbin@gmu.edu

Office Hours:                                        By appointment

Text:                                                      Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms (4rd Ed.) by Winston

 

Description: The intent of this course is to provide a modern perspective on the analysis of systems that are stochastic in nature, that is, systems that have a random component.  There will be an emphasis on the underlying random processes, ultimately leading to the development of practical strategies for dealing with the design and analysis of these systems in a contemporary technological environment.  Prerequisites are knowledge of the fundamental elements of probability (no statistical inference is needed) and a general graduate-level maturity in applied mathematics.  There will also be an emphasis on the numerical solution of problems using spreadsheet software. 

 

Topic                                                                     Assignment*

 

Introduction and Review of Probability     Read Ch.12 

                                                                              Pg 712 (1)

                                                                              Pg 714 (1, 2, 6)

                                                                              Pg 722 (1, 6)

                                                                              Pg 729 (1)

                                                                              pg 735 (4, 5, 6, 7)

                                                                                                                                                           

Decision Making Under Uncertainty                        Read Ch.13, § 1-4, 6, 7

                                                                              Pg 741 (1, 4)

                                                                              Pg 754 (1, 7, 14)

                                                                              Pg 758 (3)

                                                                              Pg 764 (1, 3, 6, 11)

 

Deterministic Inventory Modeling                            Read Ch.15, § 1-7

                                                                              pg 858 (1, 3, 11)

                                                                              Pg 864 (1, 3)

                                                                              pg 868 (2, 3, 4)

                                                                              pg 872 (2)

 

Probabilistic Inventory Models                                Read Ch.16, § 1-6

                                                                              Pg 884 (1, 2)

                                                                              Pg 888 (2, 4)

                                                                              pg 897 (3, 4)

                                                                                               


 

Markov Chains                                                       Read Ch. 17, § 1-5

                                                                              Pg 931 (1, 3)

                                                                              pg 934 (3)

                                                                              pg 940 (3, 10, 13)

                                                                              Pg 948 (9, 10)

 

Queueing                                                               Read Ch. 20, § 1-11

                                                                             pg 1062 (1, 2, 4)

                                                                              Pg 1072 (1, 2)

                                                                              pg 1081 (1, 2, 3, 4, 14)

 

Forecasting                                                             Read Ch. 24, § 1-6 

                                                                              Extra Credit HW

                                                                              Forecasting Worksheet

 

Simulation                                                               Read Ch. 21, § 1-9,

                                                                              Exponential WS

                                                                              Simulation WS

                                                                               

 

* Homework sets will be assigned on a weekly basis from appropriate problems in the textbook.

 

Grading:                                  Midterm                         40%

                                                Final Exam                               40%

                                                Class & Homework         20%

                                                                                                100%

 

Calender:                                  1st Class 25 Jan 06

                                                  Midterm 08 Mar 06

                                                  Spring Break                  12 Mar 06 – 19 Mar 06

                                                  Final                              10 May 06  (7:30 pm – 10:15 pm)