575.608.81 - Optimization Methods for Public Decision Making

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

Introduction to linear programming and optimization

Linear programming fundamentals

Integer and mixed-integer programming

Multi-objective programming

Algorithmic and computer-based solution methods

Facility location models 1:  location basics and networks

Facility location models 2:  P-median problem and variations

Facility location models 3:  location set covering problem and variations 

Transportation network design models

Optimization models for water reservoir management

Reserve design models for species protection

Models for land and resource management (animal population recovery; timber harvesting)

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to provide a practical familiarity with the application of constrained optimization methods to decision-making in the public sector, with a focus on environmental planning and management.  The course aims to provide basic skills in analyzing decision problems, formulating optimization models, finding solutions, and communicating results.  Students will demonstrate and apply skills and knowledge through class discussions, written assignments, and a course project.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Describe and analyze decision-making and policy-making problems that arise in the public sector, in the areas of environmental planning and management, urban and transportation planning, and biological conservation.
• Define such problems in terms of interrelated objectives, constraints, and decisions that need to be made.
• Develop and formulate constrained optimization models for such problems. Models types include linear programming models, integer and mixed-integer models, and multi-objective models.
• Apply analytical, algorithmic, and computer-based methodologies for solving optimization problems.
• Explain and interpret solutions, results, outcomes, and implications of the optimization modeling process.

Textbooks

Not required

Other Materials & Online Resources

Hof, John, Michael Bevers, Daniel W. Uresk, Gregory L. Schenbeck, 2002, “Optimizing habitat location for black-tailed prairie dogs in southwestern South Dakota”, Ecological Modelling 147, pp. 11–21.

Snyder, Stephanie and Charles ReVelle, 1996, “The grid packing problem: selecting a harvesting pattern in an area with forbidden regions”, Forest Science 42(1), pp. 27-34.

Williams, Justin C., Charles S. ReVelle, and Simon A. Levin, 2005, “Spatial attributes and reserve design models: a review”, Environmental Modeling and Assessment 10(3), pp. 163-181.

Required Software

Linear Programming Solver.  Some of the course work including the course project involves solving mathematical programs using a computer solver. You may wish to use the LP Solver in the Excel Spreadsheet, which typically is a convenient option for students.  Other options for computer LP solvers will be provided during the course, including free solvers that can be used interactively on-line or downloaded at no cost.  Another possibility is to purchase a solver, although it will be possible for you to complete the course requirements using either the Excel Solver or a no-cost option.

Student Coursework Requirements

The amount of time that this course demands will vary, depending on the student and on the module.  It is expected that each class module will take approximately 7-9 hours per week to complete, although approximately 4 additional hours per week will be required during the second half of the course to complete the course project and final exam.  Here is an approximate breakdown:

• Reading written material, listening to audio material, and completing other assigned reading (Modules 1-12): approximately 3 hours per week
• Participating in the class discussions (Modules 1-12): approximately 1-2 hours per week
• Completing problem set assignments (Modules 1-11): approximately 3-4 hours per week
• Working on/ completing course project (Modules 6-12): approximately 3-4 hours per week
• Completing final exam (Module 12): approximately 4-5 hours

Your grade for the course will be based on your performance in six areas:

• Self-check questions: 4%
• Participation in class discussions: 18%
• Problem set assignments: 44%
• Course project: 22%
• Final exam: 12%

Your Assignment submissions, Discussion posts, and submissions of other course material are expected to be on time.  No credit or partial credit may be given for late submissions, as explained below.  However, exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances such as unforeseen travel for work, family emergencies, and medical emergencies.  Please contact the instructor as soon as you know that you will not be able to submit something on time.

1. Self-Check Questions (4% of final grade calculation)

Each module (except Module 12) contains two or three very short self-check quizzes embedded in the written material.  The quizzes comprise true-false and multiple choice questions, and their purpose is to help you gauge your understanding of the module material as you cover it.  The quizzes are not graded; the only expectation is that you answer each question.  Wrong answers are not penalized, and you can take as many “do-overs” as you need to get the correct answer.  Your score will be proportional to the total number of self-check questions you complete.  If you complete all questions you will get full credit.

2. Participation in Class Discussions (18% of final grade calculation)

Participation in class discussions involves two parts.  (a) The first part is your response to the discussion question.  (b) The second part is to interact with classmates by replying to the posts of (at least) two other students.  In your posts, feel free to agree or disagree with classmates, but please make sure that your posts are always civil and constructive.  The instructor will monitor class discussions and typically will respond to some of the student posts.  In most modules the instructor will post his own response to the discussion question on the last day of the discussion, and may in some cases post a summary of the discussion for the class.

(a)  Your response to the discussion question is due by the end of Day 5 of that module week (due 11:59 PM Saturday).  You will receive a base score of 0 to 6 points for this post.  Your score will be depend on the thoughtfulness, level of detail, level of critical thinking, insight, and analysis exhibited in your post.  DQ response posts that are late by up to 48 hours will receive a 2 point (33 percent) reduction in score.  Posts more than 48 hours late will receive no credit (0 points).

(b)  Your replies to the posts of (at least) two other students are due at the end of Day 7 of that module week (due 11:59 PM Monday).  You will receive a base score of 0 to 3 points for each of your two reply posts.  Your scores will depend on the extent to which your posts enrich the discussion through a “value added” contribution.  Examples of value-added contributions include:

* Raising and discussing the implications of an important issue or fact that is relevant to the other student’s post;

* Investigating an aspect of the other student’s post to find either supporting or conflicting evidence;

* Making an insightful comparison, contrast, or connection between the other student’s post and your own DQ response.

Reply posts that are late by up to 48 hours will receive a 1 point (33 percent) reduction in score.  Posts more than 48 hours late will receive no credit (0 points).

The maximum base scores of (a) 6 points or (b) 3 points will be awarded for (a) exceptional critical thinking, insight and analysis; or (b) exceptional value added contribution.  Fewer points will be awarded for postings that do not fully meet these criteria.  If you reply to the postings of more than two other classmates (which you are encouraged to do), only the two highest scores will be counted.  So, your total discussion score for each module will range from 0 to 12 points.  At the end of the course, all 12 of your module discussion scores will be added to determine your cumulative score (out of 144 possible points).

3. Problem Set Assignments (44% of final grade calculation)

Eleven problem sets will be assigned during the course, one each in Modules 1–11.  They are intended to help you achieve the course objectives and module learning objectives.  Problem sets typically involve finding solutions to numerical problems and formulating optimization models.  Your score for each problem set will depend on the completeness and correctness of:  (a) your application of a solution method or modeling procedure; and (b) your final answer or result.  In your submission of each problem set show your work, clearly indicate your final answers, and include figures, graphs, tables, etc. as appropriate.  Your base score for each problem set will be between 0 points and a maximum possible score of 20 points.  Partial credit may be given for individual problems, as appropriate.

Each problem set assignment is due 24 hours after the end of Day 7 of that module week (due 11:59 PM Tuesday).  Submissions that are late by up to 48 hours will receive a 2 point (10 percent) reduction in score.  Submissions more than 48 hours late will receive no credit (0 points).  If you have not finished a problem set when it is due, it is recommended that you still submit it on time (or no more than 48 hours late) for possible partial credit.  Your 11 problem set scores will be added to determine your cumulative score out of 220 possible points.

Problem set answers will be posted in Canvas after the assignment due date, typically within 72 hours.  Although you will receive some feedback on your assignment, it will not be practical to provide detailed feedback to every student on every problem.  Therefore, you will be expected to compare your answers to the posted answers and to identify any differences.  You should take the initiative to identify areas of possible misunderstanding and to ask the instructor questions or request guidance regarding how particular problems can be solved or models formulated.

Submit your problem set assignments within Canvas.  The document you submit must be a single Word or PDF document.  Please paginate your document.  Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier.  Also include your last name in the filename of your submitted document.

4. Course Project (22% of final grade calculation)

This course includes an extended project that spans the second half of the course (Modules 6-12).  This project is designed to build your skills in formulating and solving mathematical optimization problems, using a computer solver, in a way that gives you hands-on experience with a real-world problem.  A detailed description of the project is available in the Canvas page for this course.  You should read through this course project description document at the beginning of the course.  You are expected to begin working on the project no later than Module 6.

The project has two submission items.  The first item is a rough draft (30 points), which is due 72 hours after the end of day 7 of Module 9 (due 11:59 PM Thursday).  The second deliverable is the final draft (170 points), which is due at the end of day 6 of Module 12 (Due 11:59 PM Sunday).  See the project description for the grading rubric.  Project submissions that are late by up to 48 hours will receive a 10 percent reduction in score (3 point or 17 point reduction).  Submissions more than 48 hours late will receive no credit (0 points).

Submit your course project deliverable documents within Canvas.  These documents (file type and format) should be as indicated in the project description.  Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier.  Also include your last name in the filename of your submitted document.

5. Final Exam (12% of Final Grade Calculation)

The final Exam will be available at the beginning of Module 12 and will cover material in Modules 1–12.  In terms of format, the exam will comprise true/ false and multiple choice questions.  Students may use any of the course content material to prepare exam answers.  However, students may not consult with other persons regarding exam questions or answers.  All questions or concerns regarding this exam must be addressed to the course instructor.

Submit your final exam answer sheet within Canvas.  The document you submit must be a single Word or PDF document.  Please paginate your document.  Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier.  Also include your last name in the filename of your submitted document.

Grading Policy

The day of the week in which gradable items are due is as indicated above, but see the course calendar in Canvas for specific due dates.  The instructor will post grades (scores) to Canvas within one week following due dates.

Spelling and grammar typically are not graded directly.  However, poor quality of spelling, grammar, and/or sentence structure may compromise your ability to communicate answers, results, etc., which in turn may detract from your grade.

As explained above, you will receive a point score for each of the five items of the course that are assessed.  Your final grade will be based on the weighted average of these five scores as per the tables below.  Final course percentage scores (out of 100) will be calculated to several decimal places then rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point.  For example:  a final course score of 89.949 would be rounded down to 89.9 which would be a course grade of B+; whereas a final course score of 89.950 would be rounded up to 90.0 which would be an A-.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.