Students

STAT2579 – Operations Research I

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor/Lecturer
Nino Kordzakhia
nino.kordzakhia@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
12WW 610
see iLearn
Lecturer
Karol Binkowski
karol.binkowski@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
12WW 614
see iLearn
Karol Binkowski
karol.binkowski@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
FOSE1015 or STAT170(P) or STAT1170 or STAT171 or STAT1371 or STAT150 or STAT1250
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit surveys the field of operations research, which is the practical application of a scientific method to the operational, organisational and economic problems of business and industry. An elementary knowledge of algebra is assumed. Students are expected to use Microsoft Excel to find solutions to formulated problems. Topics are model construction; linear programming; transportation and assignment problems; network analysis (critical path and PERT); inventory analysis and waiting lines.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Apply mathematical modelling principles to real and simulated business scenarios.
  • ULO2: Use Excel Solver to find solutions to linear programming, transportation and assignment problems and interpret the output.
  • ULO3: Use the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) for optimal project scheduling.
  • ULO4: Formulate an inventory policy which will control the stock of goods at a minimum total cost in inventory models.
  • ULO5: Evaluate probabilities of various queue lengths, average queue length and the average time spent waiting in a queue.

General Assessment Information

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION: Assignment submission will be online through the iLearn page.

Submit assignments online via the appropriate assignment link on the iLearn page. A personalised cover sheet is not required with online submissions. Read the submission statement carefully before accepting it as there are substantial penalties for making a false declaration.

  • Assignment submission is via iLearn. You should upload this as a single scanned PDF file.
  • Please note the quick guide on how to upload your assignments provided on the iLearn page.
  • Please make sure that each page in your uploaded assignment corresponds to only one A4 page (do not upload an A3 page worth of content as an A4 page in landscape). If you are using an app like Clear Scanner, please make sure that the photos you are using are clear and shadow-free.
  • It is your responsibility to make sure your assignment submission is legible.
  • If there are technical obstructions to your submitting online, please email us to let us know.

You may submit as often as required prior to the due date/time. Please note that each submission will completely replace any previous submissions. It is in your interests to make frequent submissions of your partially completed work as insurance against technical or other problems near the submission deadline.

LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK:  All assessment tasks must be submitted by the official due date and time. In the case of a late submission for a non-timed assessment (e.g. an assignment), if special consideration has NOT been granted, 20% of the earned mark will be deducted for each 24-hour period (or part thereof) that the submission is late for the first 2 days (including weekends and/or public holidays). For example, if an assignment is submitted 25 hours late, its mark will attract a penalty equal to 40% of the earned mark. After 2 days (including weekends and public holidays) a mark of 0% will be awarded. Timed assessment tasks (e.g. tests, examinations) do not fall under these rules.

FINAL EXAM POLICY: It is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is, the final day of the official examination period. The only excuse for not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these special circumstances, you may apply for special consideration via ask.mq.edu.au.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during this supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
iLearn Quizzes 20% No Week 3, 6, 9,11
Assignment 1 10% No Week 4
Assignment 2 10% No Week 8
Final Examination 60% No Formal Examination period

iLearn Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 3, 6, 9,11
Weighting: 20%

 

iLearn quizzes may be attempted multiple times. Reinforce and apply skills learned in lectures

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use Excel Solver to find solutions to linear programming, transportation and assignment problems and interpret the output.
  • Use the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) for optimal project scheduling.
  • Formulate an inventory policy which will control the stock of goods at a minimum total cost in inventory models.

Assignment 1

Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%

 

Reinforce and apply skills learned in lectures and SGTAs. Apply linear programming principles to business scenarios.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical modelling principles to real and simulated business scenarios.

Assignment 2

Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 10%

 

Reinforce and apply skills learned in lectures and SGTAs. Apply mathematical models to simulated business scenarios.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical modelling principles to real and simulated business scenarios.
  • Use Excel Solver to find solutions to linear programming, transportation and assignment problems and interpret the output.
  • Formulate an inventory policy which will control the stock of goods at a minimum total cost in inventory models.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Formal Examination period
Weighting: 60%

 

Formal invigilated examination testing the learning outcomes of the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical modelling principles to real and simulated business scenarios.
  • Use Excel Solver to find solutions to linear programming, transportation and assignment problems and interpret the output.
  • Use the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) for optimal project scheduling.
  • Formulate an inventory policy which will control the stock of goods at a minimum total cost in inventory models.
  • Evaluate probabilities of various queue lengths, average queue length and the average time spent waiting in a queue.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

The Lectures begin in Week 1 online.

The SGTAs (1- hour per week) begin in Week 2.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

  • The lecture slides and SGTA material will be made available via iLearn.
  • Reference books:
  1. Quantitative Decision Making with Spreadsheet Applications (7th Ed) by Lawrence L. Lapin, William D. Whisler, 2002  
  2. Operations Research Applications and Algorithms (4th Ed), 2004 by Winston W. L. (PWS Kent) 
  3. Operations Research: An Introduction (8th edition), 2007 by Hamdy A. Taha (Pearson/ Prentice Hall) 

Technology Used and Required

Microsoft Excel

iLearn

Students can access the iLearn page by logging on at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au. Students must log in regularly to read the Announcements and access the teaching material.

Unit Schedule

Study

Week

 

Lecture topic

 

Assessment Due

 

1

 

Introduction; LP formulation

 

 

2

 

LP formulation; graphical solution

 

 

3

 

Solving LPs

 

Electronic Quiz

 

4

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

Assignment 1

 

5

 

Simulation

 

 

6

 

Inventory

 

Electronic Quiz

 

 

 

Mid - Session Break

 

7

 

Project management

 

 

 

8

 

Project management cont.

 

Assignment 2

 

9

 

Transportation

 

Electronic Quiz

 

10

 

Transportation cont.

 

 

11

 

Queuing

 

Electronic Quiz

 

12

 

Revision

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
12/02/2021 Updated General Assessment section

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook