Sem3 UAQ Optimisation

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Applications  @  UAQ  30 ECTS credits

Mathematical modelling and optimisation

The curriculum proposed by the University of L'Aquila (UAQ), "Mathematical Modelling and Optimisation" (MMO), provides students with strong mathematical foundations of data analytics and train them to their applications in complex decision making processes. The theoretical topics include basic equations of mathematical physics and nonlinear equations arising in traffic flows and fluid dynamics, stochastic processes, forecasting models, analysis and design of dynamic multi-agent networks. The curriculum emphasizes a comprehensive introduction to optimisation theory, including linear and non-linear optimisation, and deepen advanced topics in combinatorial and network optimisation and operations scheduling. The program also includes hands-on practice in the formulation, analysis and application of optimisation in science and engineering, along with computational training with state-of-the-art optimisation software.

Research interests of MMO faculty cover several areas of theoretical and computational Optimisation with long-standing partnerships with European and US institutions. Among them, the universities of Wisconsin-Madison, Lehigh (Pennsylvania), Lancaster (UK), Bilkent (TR). A well-established collaboration is also on-going with the IASI institute of Italian National Research Council (CNR). The Optimisation group in L'Aquila has a long tradition in the applications of data analytics and operations research in industry as well. Optimisation solutions have been developed is several fields, such as telecommunication,
manufacturing, operations and workforce management and logistics, in partnerships with important industrial and institutional players.

Below you can find information about the subjects for this semester.

  • Advanced analysis [6 credits]

    Advanced analysis

    • ECTS credits 6
    • University University of L'Aquila
    • Semester 3
    • Objectives

       

      The main objectives of the course are as follows: to provide knowledge of mathematical methods that are widely used by researchers in the area of Applied Mathematics; to apply this knowledge to a variety of topics, including the basic equations of mathematical physics and some current research topics about nonlinear equations (traffic flow, gas dynamics, fluid dynamics).

    • Topics

       

      Measure and integration theory. Functions of bounded variation. Distributions theory. Fourier transform. Sobolev spaces. Application to the study of partial differential equations: elliptic equations of second order, parabolic equations of second order, hyperbolic systems of first-order equations, nonlinear conservation laws. An outline of semigroup theory.


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  • Optimisation models and algorithms [6 credits]

    Optimisation models and algorithms

    • ECTS credits 6
    • University University of L'Aquila
    • Semester 3
    • Objectives

       

       Learn algorithmic techniques for important combinatorial optimization problems. Be able to formulate and solve combinatorial optimization problems using integer linear programming. Understand the computational complexity of the problems studied.

    • Topics

       

      Elements of graph theory and of computational complexity. Combinatorial Optimization (CO) problems. Formulation as 0-1 linear programming. Unimodular and totally unimodular matrices. Hoffmann-Kruskal’s Theorem. Convex hull and ideal formulation of an integer LP. Recursion in CO: optimal paths in a DAG, 0-1 Knapsack. Projection of polyhedra, Fourier-Veronese’s Theorem, Fourier-Motzkin’s Method. Fundamentals of duality theory in LP. Matroids and the Greedy Algorithm: uniform, graphical, partition and vector matroid. Matroid representation and hierarchy. Matching problems. Weak dual inequalities: transversal, stability number, edge-cover and matching. The bipartite case: Gallai’s and König’s Theorem. Guaranteed approximation algorithms for CO: TSP. Polynomial approximation schemes: 01 Knapsack. Linear relaxation of a (mixed) integer linear program. Branch-and-Bound Method. Linear bounds. Dichotomy on a fractional variable. Combinatorial bounds.

    • Prerequisites

       

      (short survey included in the course): elements of graph theory and of computational complexity

    • Books

       

      C.H. Papadimitriou, K. Steiglitz, Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity (Dover Publications)
      Course slides and exercises freely available from the DISIM website


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  • Modelling and control of networked distributed systems [6 credits]

    Modelling and control of networked distributed systems

    • ECTS credits 6
    • University University of L'Aquila
    • Semester 3
    • Objectives

       

      The aim of this course is to provide basic knowledge of the analysis and design of dynamic multiagent networks.

    • Topics

       

      Introduction to graph theory: graphs; matrices representation; algebraic and spectral graph theory; graph symmetries. The agreement protocol - the static case: undirected and directed networks; agreement and markov chains; the Factorization Lemma. The agreement protocol - Lyapunov and LaSalle: agreement via Lyapunov functions, agreement over switching digraphs, edge agreement, generalizations to nonlinear systems. Formation Control: formation specification-shapes and relative states; shape based control; relative state based control, dynamic formation selection, assigning roles. Mobile Robots: Cooperative robotics; weighted graph based feedback; dynamic graphs; formation control revisited; the coverage problem.

    • Prerequisites

       

      Linear Algebra. Linear control systems. Stability theory for linear control systems

    • Books

       

      M. Mesbahi and M. Egerstedt, Graph Theoretic Methods in Multiagent Networks. Princeton University Press. 2010


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  • Optimisation in signal processing and wavelets [6 credits]

    Optimisation in signal processing and wavelets

    • ECTS credits 6
    • University University of L'Aquila
    • Semester 3
    • Objectives

       

      The aim of the course is to introduce the main constructions of wavelets and frames, show their applications to the modern signal processing and to numerical algorithms, and consider optimization problems solved in that theory. The course provides students with all necessary tools from functional and harmonic analysis to construct and analyze systems of wavelets and with the methods of optimal control for the corresponding optimization problems.

    • Topics

       

      A short overview of the Fourier analysis. Direct and inverse theorems of the approximation theory. Discrete and fast Fourier transform. Haar, Shannon-Kotelnikov, and Meyer systems. The cascade algorithms for the wavelet transform. The noise analysis. Compactly supported wavelets and frames. Daubechies wavelets. Optimization problems in wavelets: the best approximation rates, the smallest support, the minimal uncertainty constants. Methods of optimal control. Calculus of variations and the Pontryagin maximum principle.


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  • Process and operations scheduling [6 credits]

    Process and operations scheduling

    • ECTS credits 6
    • University University of L'Aquila
    • Semester 3
    • Objectives

       

      Let students earn a comprehensive knowledge of mathematical models for machine scheduling along with their relationship with project scheduling models. Students learn how to classify these problems in terms of computational complexity and solve them by heuristic, approximation or exact algorithms. This topics are presented so as to stress their relationship with the fundamental Combinatorial Optimization problems and the techniques of Integer Programming. Although the course is marked on strong a methodological basis, it provides pointers to all the steps of the lifecycle of industrial applications, from recognizing scheduling problems in industrial contexts to developing and experimenting algorithms. Students are trained to these aspects by implementation projects and case studies.

    • Topics

       

      Elements of a (deterministic) scheduling problem, examples of practical applications. Classification of scheduling problems. Integer Linear Programming formulations. Single machine scheduling: computational complexity, heuristic and exact algorithms. Parallel machine scheduling: exact, heuristic and approximation algorithms. Relationships with basic Combinatorial Optimization problems. Optimization problems in Project Scheduling. Job Shop scheduling: formulations, heuristic and exact algorithms.


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