Stochastic OR Methods

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts and applications of the following five topics: queuing systems, inventory systems, reliability theory, decision theory and simulation.
• demonstrate practical skills in decision analysis, modelling queueing and inventory systems and calculating the reliability of systems.
• demonstrate gained skills in using computer software and programming.
• understand how to implement and analyse a discrete event simulation model using Simul8 software.
• demonstrate skills in technical report writing.
• demonstrate skills in team working.

Queuing Systems: Basic elements of a queue and applications of queuing systems.

Inventory System: EOQ models, newsboy models, inventory model with stochastic demand.

Reliability Theory: Reliability of a component, reliability of a system, maintenance models, reliability and economics.

Decision Theory: Bayes’ rule, value of information, Decision trees, and utility.

Simulation: The emphasis is on simulation computing skills, which are developed in computer labs based on the SIMUL8 package.

Lectures cover: the concept of randomness; and sampling from probability distributions including discrete and continuous models.

Teaching and learning methods

Twelve 2-hour OR techniques lectures

Twelve 1-hour OR techniques tutorial sessions

Three 2-hour simulation lectures

Six 1-hour simulation computer sessions

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Ross, SM. Applied Probability Models with Optimization Applications. Dover.

Nelson, BL. Stochastic Modeling: Analysis & Simulation. Dover.

Hillier, F. Introduction to Operations Research. McGraw-Hill.

Schaum. Outline of Operations Research.

Winston, WL. Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms. Duxbury.

Assessment strategy

The summative coursework assessment will be on Simulation (one

individual assignment & one group assignment)

The referral/repeat assessment includes both coursework and examination. If the coursework was previously passed, it is not retaken.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External