Optimization
models and methods can be applied to management, engineering, and science,
and more. Within 15.053, we show how
to optimize problems within machine learning and statistics, sports
analytics, finance, operations, marketing, as well as other domains.
Students
have an opportunity to apply what they learn in 15.053 in their course
project. Students often choose
projects of importance to MIT or of personal interest to themselves.
The
following are some examples of course projects for 15.053 from past years.
1. Determine the optimal
baseball batting order for the Boston Red Sox
2. Determine an optimal
strategy for the last 30 seconds of a basketball game
3. Determine an optimal brackets
for March Madness.
- MIT related
optimization.
1.
What is the optimal assignment of freshmen to dorms?
2.
For a given student in major X, determine the best choice of
courses during the remaining semesters at MIT so as to satisfy
prerequisites, satisfy major requirements, balance workloads, and maximize
the total "utility" of a given student.
3.
Optimally assign little sisters to big sisters in a sorority.
(Little sisters are the newest members of the sorority; big sisters are the
continuing members.)
1.
Determine the minimum number of gates needed at Logan to meet a
fixed schedule.
2.
Determine the least cost way of providing wireless internet
coverage to a country (of your choice).
3.
Determine the least cost way of delivering vaccines to a country
(of your choice).
4.
Optimally locate electric car charging stations on highways in
Boston.
5.
Determine the optimal way to wager in Final Jeopardy.
- In the past, students have
chosen a variety of topics that interested them. (1) What is
the smallest number of gates needed at Logan to meet a fixed schedule?
(2) What is the least cost way of providing wireless internet
coverage to a country? (3) What is the least cost way of
delivering vaccines to a country? (4) Where should Zipcars be
located in Boston and Cambridge? (5) Where on highways should
electric car charging stations be located?
- Some other past topics (either proposed by the instructor
or selected by previous project groups).
1. What is the optimal wager in
final Jeopardy?
2. What is the optimal
portfolio of stocks and bonds?
3. What is the optimal
assignment of tasks to fraternity members over the semester?
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