Optimization Methods for Public Decision Making - 575.608

This course is an introduction to decision support models used in environmental planning and management. We will develop and apply analytical methods and mathematical models that help decision makers solve complex environmental and socio-economic problems and formulate associated policies. There is a focus on real-world problems in the public sector, including urban facility location, transportation planning, water resources management, biological conservation, and landscape resources management. You will learn how to structure and analyze problems and formulate optimization models to make the most of limited resources and achieve specified objectives related to efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental protection, public health, and fairness to stakeholder groups and to the public. The types of models covered in this course are linear programming, integer programming, and multi-objective models. Algorithmic solution methods are reviewed, and computer-based solution methods are applied in the context of a course project. Prerequisite: pre-calculus mathematics including algebra with multiple variables.