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Systems Optimization

A chart demonstrating a network formulation in terms of monthly production, inventory and demand.

Example of a network formulation. (Courtesy of Prof. John Vande Vate.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

15.057

As Taught In

Spring 2003

Level

Graduate

Cite This Course

Course Features

Course Description

Managers and engineers are constantly attempting to optimize, particularly in the design and operation of complex systems. This course is an application-oriented introduction to (systems) optimization. It seeks to:

  • Motivate the use of optimization models to support managers and engineers in a wide variety of decision making situations;
  • Show how several application domains (industries) use optimization;
  • Introduce optimization modeling and solution techniques (including linear, non-linear, integer, and network optimization, and heuristic methods);
  • Provide tools for interpreting and analyzing model-based solutions (sensitivity and post-optimality analysis, bounding techniques); and
  • Develop the skills required to identify the opportunity and manage the implementation of an optimization-based decision support tool.