Course detail

Computing Methods in Logistics Optimization Problems

FSI-SOU-AAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course introduces the students to the software tools used for modeling and solving different types of optimization problems. The main content of the course lies in recognizing and using suitable models and methods for specific logistics problems.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jakub Kůdela, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automation and Computer Science (ÚAI)

Entry knowledge

The presented topics require basic knowledge of concepts from optimization, statistics, and programming.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course-unit credit requirements: active participation in seminars, mastering the subject matter, and semester project acceptance.

Examination: Written exam focused on the successful implementation of the discussed models and methods accompanied by oral discussion of the results.


Attendance at seminars is required as well as active participation. Passive or missing students are required to work out additional assignments.

Aims

The emphasis is on the acquisition of application-oriented knowledge of logistics optimization models and methods, and on the use of computers and available software tools.


The student will acquire the ability to recognize a suitable optimization model for a given logistics problem. The student will be able to implement the said model in an adequately chosen software tool and perform a thorough analysis of the results.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Kochenderfer, M.J., Wheeler, T.A.: Algorithms for Optimization. MIT Press, 2019. (EN)
Martins, J.R.R.A., Ning A.: Engineering Design Optimization. Cambridge University Press, 2021. (EN)
Rardin, R. L.: Optimization in Operations Research. Pearson, 2015. (EN)
Williams, H.P.: Model Building in Mathematical Programming. J. Wiley and Sons, 2012. (EN)

Recommended reading

Langevin, A., Riopel, D. Logistics Systems: Design and Optimization. Springer, 2005. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-LAN-A Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme C-AKR-P Lifelong learning

    specialization CLS , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jakub Kůdela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Software tools for optimization, languages/environments (EXCEL, MATLAB, Julia). The use of solvers.
2. Implementation of basic optimization model types (linear, quadratic, integer, etc.).
3. Network-based optimization models.
4. Shift scheduling and Staff planning models.
5. Location-allocation and Facility location models.
6. Knapsack, Capital budgeting, and Bin packing models.
7. Travelling salesman problem, lazy constraints.
8. Multi-objective optimization and multi-criteria decision analysis methods.
9. Optimization in simulation environments, black-box optimization.
10. Surrogates for computationally expensive problems, selection and validation.
11. Surrogate-assisted optimization.
12. Stochastic programming, generation of scenario trees.
13. Geographic information system (GIS) software.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jakub Kůdela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The exercise follows the topics discussed in the lecture. The main focus is on software implementation.