GRA 6227 Business Optimisation

GRA 6227 Business Optimisation

Course code: 
GRA 6227
Department: 
Accounting and Operations Management
Credits: 
6
Course coordinator: 
Karim Tamssaouet
Course name in Norwegian: 
Business Optimisation
Product category: 
Master
Portfolio: 
MSc in Business Analytics
Semester: 
2024 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

This course teaches students how to use mathematical modelling to support practical business management decisions. The course will give an introduction to the use of the most common modelling techniques for deterministic optimisation, such as linear programming (LP), integer programming (IP), mixed-integer programming (MIP) and nonlinear programming (NLP). Applications of these methods in logistics/operations, strategy, marketing, and finance will be demonstrated through exercises and using state-of-the-art software.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge
  • List the main components of an optimisation model.
  • Classify and discuss the different approaches to solving optimization problems.
  • Report and discuss the impacts and challenges of projects implementing decision-support systems. 
Learning outcomes - Skills
  • Develop mathematical models for practical optimisation problems.
  • Implement mathematical models using some programming language.
  • Solve and analyze mathematical models and their solutions.
General Competence
  • Frequent modelling activities should help the students develop analytical and logical thinking. 
  • After completing the course, the students can reflect on the value of analytical precision in business decision making.
     
Course content
  • The concept of a mathematical programming model
  • Linear programming models and the importance of linearity
  • How to interpret model output
  • Multi-period planning models
  • Integer and mixed-integer models
  • Good and bad formulations
  • Non-linear models
  • Multi-objective models
  • Heuristics
  • Practical aspects of optimization
Teaching and learning activities

Software: Python or any option allowing you to model and solve mathematical models (AMPL, R, Matlab, etc.).

We will primarily use Python (specifically the Pyomo package) throughout the course as it has a rich ecosystem of packages for business analysis.

Students may choose other options but should expect less support if lecturers are unfamiliar with the selected option.

Software tools
Software defined under the section "Teaching and learning activities".
Additional information

Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class.

All parts of the assessment must be passed in order to get a grade in the course.

Qualifications

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
30
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
3 Week(s)
Comment: 
Group assignment
Exam code: 
GRA 62273
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Exam category: 
School Exam
Form of assessment: 
Written School Exam - pen and paper
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
70
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • All printed and handwritten support materials
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Comment: 
-
Exam code: 
GRA 62274
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Sum workload: 
0

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.