OR 442/542

Operations Research: Stochastic Models

Spring 2004

 

Instructor:                                             Dr. Andrew Loerch

 

Office:                                                    Science and Tech II, Room 119

 

Phone:                                                    (703) 993-1657 (O); (703) 709-7465 (H)

 

E-mail:                                                   aloerch@gmu.edu

 

Office Hours:                                        Before or after class, or 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, ones 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 be a special emphasis on the numerical solution of problems using spreadsheet software.  Description of class administration is provided.  Other information.

 

Topic                                                                                       Assignment*

 

Introduction and Review of Probability                                      Read Chapt.12  pg 735 # 4, 6, 7

                                                                                                Review Problem Sheet  Bayes

                                                                                                           

Decision Making Under Uncertainty                                          Read Chapt.13, § 1-4, 6;

                                                                                                Problems Problems2

 

Deterministic Inventory Modeling                                              Read Chapt.15, § 1-7 pg 858 #1,3,11

                                                                                                     Pg 864 #1,3; pg 868#2,3,4; pg 872 #2

                                                                                                    

Probabilistic Inventory Models                                                  Read Chapt.16, § 1-6 Pg 884 #1,2;

                                                                                                      Pg 888 #2,4; pg 897 #3,4

                                                                                                           

Markov Chains                                                                         Read Chapt. 17, § 1-5 Graded HW

                                                                                                      Pg 931 #1, 3; pg 934 #3, pg 940 #3, 10, 13

                                                                                                      Pg 948 #9, 10

 

Queueing                                                                                  Read Chapt. 20, § 1-11 pg 1062 #1,2,4

                                                                                                            Pg 1072 #1,2, pg 1081#1,2,3,4,14

 

Forecasting                                                                               Read Chapt. 24, § 1-6  Extra Credit HW

 

Simulation                                                                                 Read Chapt. 21, § 1-9, Exp WS, Sim WS

                                                                                                            Sim Graded HW

 

* 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%