Course syllabus

Synopsis

The course discusses fundamentals of discrete optimization methods as applied to the problems in mechanical design and manufacturing. Topics include discrete optimization models, integer and mixed-integer programming algorithms, graph search algorithms, heuristic algorithms, an introduction to NP completeness (optional), and case studies.

Lectures present the key concepts and mathematical basis of each topic and its applications in mechanical design and manufacturing. A term project emphasizes the applications of the course materials to a realistic engineering problem.

Prerequisites

Graduate standing with fair familiarity with C/C++ programming on Windows. Some knowledge in optimization, algorithms and discrete mathematics would be helpful, but not required. 

Textbooks

None. Course notes and a list of references are available on the Web.

Lectures

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am - 12:00pm in 133 Chrysler Center

Instructor

Professor Kazuhiro Saitou
Department of Mechanical Engineering
3211 EECS, x6-0036, kazu@umich.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 2:00pm -  3:30pm or by email appointment (min. 24 hour advance notice). No walk-in service available.

Grade breakdown

The Honor Code is in effect for both the problems sets and the term project.  Unless otherwise indicated/announced, all problem sets and reports for term project are due at 11:00am in the classroom, on the dates indicated in Schedule page.  Late submission (no-no ) is accepted according to the past due policy. Early submission to the Instructor is of course welcomed.

Problem sets

There are seven problem sets consisting of written problems and computer assignments. The computer assignments include simple programming in MATLAB and C++ in CAEN Windows environment. Although the programming assignments are mostly on simple "fill-in-the-blank'' style translation of pseudocode discussed in the lectures into C++ programs, familiarity with basic code development cycle (i.e. debug-make cycle) is assumed.  There will be neither tutorials nor troubleshooting offered on MATLAB and C++ programming.  See Software info page for information on course software. Some relevant resources can also be found in References and Links pages.

All problem sets are to be done individually. While it is acceptable, and often helpful, to discuss basic strategies for some problems, all work must be completed individually. Referring to past year's problem set solutions, in any forms, are strictly prohibited.

Course project

The course project emphasizes the application of the course material to the engineering design problems of your choice. It can be done individually or by a team of two or more depending on the enrollment. You are encouraged to work on the problems relevant to your research topics. The project requires a proposal (5%), a progress report (15%), an oral presentation (10%), and a final paper (20%). Members of a team will receive same grades for the proposal, reports and final presentation. Detailed guidelines on each of these, as well as abstracts from past projects, are found in Project info page. 

While is it acceptable to work on the same project topic for another course taken in the past or concurrently with this course, the project reports must describe the work distinctively done for this course.  In particular, the students must consult with the instructor a priori to share or recycle the project topic done in ME555 and/or ME590, and must submit a copy of the reports for these courses together with ME558 reports.

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