Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/operations-research-theory
Operations Research (OR) is a vital interdisciplinary field that harnesses mathematical and engineering methods to solve complex optimization problems across various industries such as Business, Management, Economics, and Engineering. The Coursera course “Operations Research (3): Theory” offers an in-depth exploration of deterministic optimization techniques, making it an excellent resource for students and professionals eager to deepen their understanding of linear, integer, and nonlinear programming.
This course, the third in a series, begins with the fundamentals of mathematical properties in optimization, including matrix methods for the simplex algorithm. It then advances into the theory and applications of linear programming duality, covering weak and strong duality, complementary slackness, and shadow prices, which are essential for analyzing and solving real-world problems.
A highlight of the course is its focus on network flow models. These models are crucial for decision-making in transportation, logistics, and project management. The course demonstrates how models like the minimum cost network flow generalize many classical problems and introduces the important concept of total unimodularity.
Further, the course delves into convex analysis and nonlinear programming, teaching tools like Lagrangian duality and the KKT conditions, vital for tackling constrained nonlinear problems. Practical applications are woven throughout, including a case study on NEC Taiwan’s facility location problem, emphasizing real-world relevance.
The final lessons connect theory with practice through case studies on linear regression and support vector machines, illustrating how the mathematical models underpin modern data science and machine learning algorithms.
Overall, this course is thorough, well-structured, and highly recommended for anyone looking to solidify their understanding of operations research techniques. Whether you’re a student, data analyst, or management professional, the lessons learned here can enhance your problem-solving toolkit and open doors to advanced studies in optimization and data science.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/operations-research-theory