Web Sites for Teaching Undergraduate Operations Research and/or Optimization

Game Theory Simulation, by Stefan Waner and Steven R. Costenoble at Hofstra University.

This uses Javascript to let a student experiment with a zero-sum 2-person game with up to 5 strategies per player. Besides playing the game, the student can see dominance reduction. You can backup to see more of this site, including a True/False Quiz.

INFORMS Case Studies ^{[NEW ... Added 7-16-00]}

These could be useful to discuss in the classroom.

An Introductory Sketch of Game Theory, by Roger A. McCain at Drexel University ( frames version).

This has a series of short notes that explain key elements of game theory. Among the introductory topics, the Prisoner's Dilemma is featured. Other examples and paradoxes are given after some mathematical and economic foundations.

Mathematical Optimization, by the Computational Science Education Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

This is an electronic book that covers many areas of mathematical programming. It is accessible as html portions, but the entire book can be obtained as a postscript file.

Mathematical Programming Glossary, by Harvey J. Greenberg at UCD.

This is a general resource for students to bookmark. See the LP Short Course for how one might use this for assigned reading.

NEOS Guide to Optimization, from Argonne National Laboratories.

This has general information that the student might read, and there are links to other places. NEOS also has free software, and there is a Java interface for solving some LPs, notably the diet problem.

OR-Notes, by J.E. Beasley at Imperial College.

This has modules in most mathematical programming topics,

OR-Objects, by OpsResearch.

this is a library of Java classes for developing operations research applications. It includes tutorials on using the classes to build applications, which can be used in the classroom, or students could use this for their term project.

The Science and Technology of Decision-Making, by David Bernstein at Princeton University.

This is a great example of how the web can support teaching. There are 10 modules. The first half presents a cross section of deterministic optimization models, and the second illustrates techniques, like simulation, to deal with uncertainty. The problems are very interesting and fun for the students. Java codes add to an interactive environment created by Professor Bernstein. Each module requires 2 class sessions.

Sequential simplex optimization, by Frederick H. Walters, Lloyd R. Parker, Jr., Stephen L. Morgan, and Stanley N. Deming.

This is a complete book, which is an electronic version of one previously published by the authors. The book is also available (free) as a pdf file. Its vantage is from statistical quality control, and there is software one could buy that use the methods described in the book.

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