MATH 177- Linear and Nonlinear Optimization-Fall, 2003

Math 177  Linear and Nonlinear Programming (Optimization)  Fall 2003

Section 1  MW 17:30-18:45  MH 235 

Professor: Brad Jackson

Office: MH 316

Phone: (408) 924-5129

Fax: 408-924-5080

Email: jackson@math.sjsu.edu

Web page: http://www.math.sjsu.edu/~jackson/  

Professor Brad Jackson  MH 316  Phone: 924-5129

Email: jackson@math.sjsu.edu

Office Hours:  MWF 10:30-11:30, MW 14:00-15:00 (or by appointment)

Learning is best accomplished in an interactive environment so students are encouraged to attend Professor Jackson's office hours when they have questions.  You are also encouraged to ask questions in class at any time or submit questions by phone or email. Feedback from your fellow students is also helpful for many so students are encouraged to work together in groups on any of the homework assignments.

Text: Introduction to Mathematical Programming (4th edition) by Winston

Prerequisites:  Math 129A with a grade of at least C- (or instructor consent)

Goals of the Course: In Math 129A you learned the basic techniques of matrix manipulation.  In this class you will learn how to apply these techniques to a variety of important optimization problems (linear programming, integer programming, transportation and network problems, game theory).  We will learn how to model a variety of applied problems in mathematics, computer science, and business as LP problems as well as analyzing the algorithms that can be used in solving these problems.  Professor Jackson has software available that is able to implement the algorithms that we learn on a PC and it is also possible to use the software that comes with your book.  It is recommended but not required that each student become familiar with some version of software that is able to solve LP problems. 

Homework:  Daily reading and homework assignments will be given at the beginning of each chapter.  Students are requested to read the material before the lectures, daily assignments are for practice but will not be collected.  Review problems (at the end of each chapter) will be collected every 3 weeks. There will be 3 homework assignments each worth 30 points. Answer keys will be provided to the homework problems on the day that they are due so no late homeworks can be accepted.  An end of the semester modeling project on a larger programming problem will be collected and also worth 30 points. 

Exams:  Two 50 point midterms will be given during the semester. At the end of the semester a comprehensive final exam (chapters 3,4,6,7,8,9, and 11) will be given.  It will count 80 points for a total of 300 points altogether.  No makeup exams will given without prior approval.

Professor Jackson is also faculty advisor of the Math/CS club and the Spartan juggling club.  All students are encouraged to participate in these activities.  The juggling club will also meet on Wednesday afternoons at 15:00 by the fountain in front of Tower hall.  All students are invited to come and learn to juggle or to sharpen your juggling skills.  No equipment needed.  Professor Jackson also encourages all students to participate in the problem of the week competition.  Prizes are given at the end of the semester to the 3 best students in each division (undergraduate and graduate).  Stay tuned for further details.

Please read the SJSU CAMPUS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES at http://www.sjsu.edu/news_and_info/emergencies/emergency_procedures.html