Discrete Maths and Operations Research

Subject MAST20018 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x one hour practice class per week
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Prerequisites:

One of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Plus one of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
  • MAST10013 UMEP Maths for High Achieving Students
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Charl Ras

Contact

Second Year Coordinator

Email: sycoord@ms.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject introduces the essential features of operations research methods, and also introduces the area of discrete mathematics as applied to social sciences. Operations research topics include mathematical modelling, linear programming, simplex and revised simplex methods, and duality theory. Discrete mathematics topics include scheduling, voting and fair division. The subject material has a common theme of applications of mathematics in realistic settings encountered in the business world, industry and day-to-day life.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject, students should:

  • comprehend the essential features of problems encountered in Operations Research investigations, as well as those encountered in Discrete Mathematics applied to social sciences;
  • develop basic skills required to construct formal mathematical models for practical optimization problems, and those required to analyze settings from the social sciences;
  • appreciate the extent and limitations of a number of Operations Research techniques with respect to solving real-world optimization problems, and the difficulties which arise in formulating solutions to problems in the social sciences.
Assessment:

Four written assignments due at regular intervals during semester amounting to a total of up to 50 pages (20%), and a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).

Prescribed Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include

  • problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies;
  • analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis;
  • collaborative skills: the ability to work in a team;
  • time management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments.
Notes:

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

A basic knowledge of MATLAB such as would be gained by completing any of the following subjects will be assumed.

  • MAST10007 Linear Algebra
  • MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Discrete Mathematics / Operations Research
Discrete Mathematics / Operations Research
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
Related Breadth Track(s): Accelerated Mathematics

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