Optimization Methods for Public Decision Making - 575.608

This course is an introduction to operations research as applied in the public sector. Public sector operation research involves the development and application of quantitative models and methods intended to help decision makers solve complex environmental and socio-economic problems. The course material is motivated by real-world problems and is presented in an environmental engineering-relevant context. Such problems include air pollution control, water resources management, transportation planning, scheduling, resource allocation, facility location, and biological conservation. Emphasis is placed on skill development in the definition of problems, the formulation of models, and the application of solution methodologies. Methodologies covered in this course include linear programming, integer programming, multiobjective optimization, and dynamic programming.