BUS230 Operations Research

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Marie Gotteberg Steen

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel.

About this course

Management Science is an approach to management decision-making that makes extensive use of quantitative methods. This course aims to introduce students to the application of quantitative techniques to problems where models capture problem structure and use it to help optimise the decision outcome. The most central methods are linear programming including graphical representations, sensitivity analysis, different classes of network models, integer/binary programming, non-linear programming, goal programming, queuing models and forecasting models. A combination of computer sessions and example classes demonstrate how advances in computing power have made these techniques more accessible to managers and how the techniques can be applied to a range of different situations. These broad aims map to a number of explicit learning outcomes presented below.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On completion of the course students should be able to:

  • discuss the practical use of the techniques covered
  • use the modelling techniques covered to help structure management problems
  • solve models built using the techniques covered
  • demonstrate that they can identify which of the techniques covered is most suitable for a management problem
  • demonstrate that they can interpret the results of their analysis of a management problem

Skills

On completion of the course students should:

  • be able to demonstrate that they can build and analyse a model of a management problem
  • be able to demonstrate their ability to apply their computer skills to support the analysis of a management problem
  • have developed their quantitative and modelling skills.
  • Lectures (2 hours/week) with integrated use of IT, especially use of spreadsheets, to analyse different models interactively in class. Computer lab exercises in smaller groups.
  • The main lecturer is available through e-mail and phone, and for office visits by appointment, throughout the whole semester. The teaching assistants are also available for guidance.
  • Introductory courses in mathematics, statistics and microeconomics (ECN102/MATH100, STAT100, ECN110).
  • Final written examination (3,5 hours) counts 100%.
  • External examiner will control the quality of syllabus, questions for the final examination, and principles for the assessment of the examination answers.
  • Compulsory elements, minimum 9 out of 12 assignments (or 75%) have to be passed. Compulsory elements are also valid the year after, but not longer.
  • Lectures: 26 hours (2 hours per week). Exercises: 26 hours (2 hours per week).
  • Reduction of credits: 5 ECTS with BUS336.
  • Letter grades
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)