Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM)

Faculty Name Dr. Sandeep Srivathsan Year/Term 2019-20/Term-3

Course Name Quantitative Methods No. of Credits 3
No of Contact Hours 20 Session Duration 90 Min.

About the Instructor: Dr. Sandeep Srivathsan is an Assistant Professor at Great

Lakes Institute of Management. He has Masters and Doctorate degrees in Industrial
Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater,
Oklahoma, USA. He has a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from
University of Madras. Following post-graduation, he has worked as a post-doctoral
researcher at the Spears School of Business at OSU, Nanyang Business School at
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), the School of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering at NTU, and Air Traffic Management Research Institute
(ATMRI) at NTU.

His primary research interests are in the field of stochastic modeling, freight
modeling, air traffic management, supply chains and queueing theory. He has
published 8 high quality research articles in top tier journals like IISE Transactions,
IEEE Transactions on Automation Science & Engineering, Computers & Operations
Research, and Transportation Research: Part B. He also has four peer reviewed
conference papers and a book chapter in the Handbook of Industrial and Systems
Engineering.

Email ID: [email protected]

Course Description: This course aims to familiarize the student with Optimization
tools that can be employed for business decision analysis and improvement. The
coverage includes linear, integer and mixed-integer programming models and
network optimization.

Introduction: In general, decision-making in real life scenarios involves taking into

account various factors such as profit and associated risk, and there needs to be a
trade-off between these factors. For example, in a manufacturing company,
companies need to increase production to improve customer satisfaction and
market share and at the same time make sure that they should not have excess
inventory. Such problems become more complex as the scope of the problem
increases (e.g., in a supply chain network where we need to consider raw material
suppliers, distribution centers, manufacturers, warehouses and retailers along with
the transit operations between these entities). This course aims to enable the
students to develop a scientific approach to obtain a reasonably good solution for
such problems. In other words, the course will present what every manager should
know about modeling without getting into the theoretical aspects of problem
solution.
Course Objective and Key Take Away: The course would introduce the students
to the formulation of optimization models (linear programming models, integer
programming models, mixed-integer programming models and network models).
Additionally, the students would also be taught to solve these models using a
graphical method (two-dimensional), and the solver add-in in Microsoft Excel.
Several real life examples like facility location problem, portfolio management
problems would be used to teach key concepts of mathematical programming in
management science. Throughout the course, the focus remains on development of
the model and solving them without actually getting too theoretical. The objectives
of the course are as follows:
 Expose the students to the relevance and power of the optimization model
and motivate them to explore the application of these techniques in various
decision making problems in management.
 Develop skills to analyze the problem and represent it mathematically in a
suitable model.
 Develop an understanding to interpret the solutions in the context of the
problem and evaluate its adequacy.
 Provide students with the ability to approach and analyze opportunities in a
systematic manner, recognize situations in which management science tech-
niques may be effectively applied and communicate with operations research
analysts.
 Use the knowledge gained from this course to continue life-long learning in
decision technologies to aid business decision-making and planning.

Course Contents: Linear programming, integer programming, mixed-integer

programming, network optimization and sensitivity analysis in linear programming.

Learning Goals: In addition to the course objectives mentioned above, students

should expect to develop the following by end of the course

Goal 1: Understanding & Application of Functional Knowledge in Business: Students will

be able to contribute to organizations by demonstrating adequate functional knowledge and
awareness of business environment by pursuing this program

Goal 2: Identify / understand ethical dilemmas & demonstrate ethical behavior: Students
will understand the importance of ethical behavior and demonstrate the same in their student /
professional lives. Students will be able to identify ethical dilemmas in cases / caselets and
suggest ways of resolving the same.

Goal 3: Develop decision making skills through problem solving using qualitative analysis
and quantitative methods: Students will demonstrate leadership and problem solving skills,
supported by appropriate analytical and quantitative techniques.
Goal 4: Effective communication and interpersonal skills: Students will be effective
communicators and demonstrate ability to work in groups.

Required Text Book: Introduction to Operations Research, 10th edition, Hillier &
Lieberman, McGraw Hill Publictions.

MS excel Add-ins: Solver, Solver Table

EVALUATION COMPONENTS:

EVALUATION COMPONENTS Percentage

MID TERM EXAMINATION 15%

END TERM EXAMINATION 35%

INDIVIDUAL
In-class quiz 10%

ASSIGNMENT (TWO) 20%

GROUP 20%
PROJECT

TOTAL 100%

I will be assigning two assignments for the course, and expect that the students
duly submit them on or before the due date. No late assignments will be accepted
unless I have been notified prior to the due date.

I expect the students to be very attentive in class, and show a willingness to

participate in appropriate class discussions as well as in the problem solving
exercises.

If you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to obtain notes
from your classmate.

COURSE MATERIAL AND HANDOUTS:

Soft copies of course material including case studies will be uploaded to e-
learning platform “Learning Exchange”. Hard copies will be distributed prior
to the class and will be available at resource center

SESSION WISE TOPICS AND READINGS:

Session No-1
Session Title Course Introduction and Overview / Introduction to
Optimization Models
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation

Session No- 2, 3, 4
Session Title Linear Programming and Integer Programming
(Model Formulation, Solution using Graphical Method
and Microsoft Excel Solver)
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation, Excel solver
demonstration

Session No- 5
Session Title Sensitivity Analysis in Linear Programming Problems
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation, Excel solver
demonstration

Session No- 6, 7, 8 ,
9
Session Title Network Optimization
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation

Session No- 10, 11

Session Title Non-linear Optimization
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation

Session No- 12, 13

Session Title Queueing Models and Discrete-event simulation
Pedagogy Discussion, Power point Presentation

ATTENDANCE

Regularity in Attendance

Regular attendance is considered extremely important in the PGPM. All

students therefore, must comply on regular attendance in class. The
relative deduction of grade points due to shortage of attendance is
explained in the table below. Students having attendance of less than
60% (irrespective of medical certificates) shall not be permitted to
appear for the examination in that term/academic year and will carry
“F” grade in the course.

Institute uses biometric attendance for recording attendance of

students. In the event of two continuous sessions, students are
required to punch twice at the beginning of each session if there is a
break in between the sessions.
The class room doors will be closed within 5 minutes of starts for each
session. Student attendance will be a component while grading them
for the course. If the instructor wishes to take physical attendance
along with the Biometric attendance, they will communicate the same
in the class. In this case also Biometric attendance will be the official
record (and not the physical attendance) for the course. Instructors
have been advised to report about habitual absentees (habitual
absentee is defined as students absent in the class for more than three
classes consecutively).

Unauthorized absence from class/institute will be considered a breach

of discipline and the Institute will be free to take appropriate action in
such cases. The same student will be asked to face disciplinary
committee. Students will not be given any attendance for any
committee related activities which warrants them to drop from the
class. They are required to undertake all committee related work
beyond class hours.

Under extra-ordinary circumstances, students may obtain leave of

absence under the following rules and procedures:

 Prior permission of the Director PGPM must be obtained for availing

of leave. Students are not permitted to go out of station during the
terms. In the event of students visiting their local guardian for
overnight stay, they must inform the Director PGPM and admin
office (Officer in charge of hostels) and only travel after receiving a
proper gate pass. If a student is noticed to be out of station for
overnight without any intimation to the Director PGPM, disciplinary
action will be taken against him/her to the extent of debarring the
student from appearing in the examinations.
 In case of sickness, medical certificate issued and/or countersigned
by the doctor along with the prescribed application form must be
submitted to the PGPM Office within 3 days of joining classes after
illness. No student shall be allowed to join the program unless
he/she presents a medical fitness certificate duly endorsed by a
Medical Officer of the designated hospital only. No medical
certificates from doctors other than the Institute approved hospital
will be entertained.

 Institute's approved hospital’s Medical Officers will issue medical

certificates only in case of diagnosed illness where they are
convinced that the student is too ill to attend classes. These include
hospitalization, communicable diseases (chicken-pox, jaundice and
typhoid) and accidental injuries (fractures, deep traumas).
 For grounds other than sickness, leave will be allowed to students in
exceptional cases depending on the genuinity of the case by the
PGPM Director. However no compensatory attendance and
examination will be held for the period of leave. Students will be
awarded grades on the basis of their attendance level and
performance only in the classes from which they were present.
Before applying for leave to the Director PGPM a student should
contact his/her course instructors to ensure that he/she is not
missing any quizzes or examinations during the leave period.

 The PGP Office or the faculty concerned will not be responsible for
the student losing any segment of evaluation on account of his/her
leave. No compensatory opportunity will be given for quizzes and
other class room based components on account of leave of any
kind.

Attendance and Performance Grade Penalty

Each student is expected to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in

each course. The grade penalty will be imposed on all the students
who do not meet the minimum 80% attendance requirements in each
course in the following manner:

Attendance of Student Performance Grade

Penalty
More than or equal to 70% but One grade drop (e.g. from
less than 80% A to A-)
More than or equal to 60% but Two grade drop (e.g. from A
less than 70% to B+)
Less than 60% F grade will be awarded

If a student gets D grade in a particular course and also gets a grade

drop due to attendance shortage, 'D' will become an 'F' grade.

If a student fails to meet the specified attendance requirement, his/her

grade in the respective course(s) would be lowered by the Director
PGPM in accordance with the grade penalty rules laid down above.

Exiting and Entering

Students are expected to remain in the classroom, be mentally alert,

and participate in the class proceedings for the duration. If a student
must leave early for unavoidable reasons, that student should obtain
permission from the professor before the class begins. Leaving and re-
entering the class is not permitted, except under extraordinary
circumstances. Faculty members may cross check the attendance and
if a student is found absent in the class, the case will be sent to
discipline committee and actions will be taken by the committee.

Norms of Behavior

Students should demonstrate respect for Faculty and fellow students.

Respectful behavior contributes to the enhanced learning experience.
Students should refrain from disruptive behavior such as eating, using
laptops, and holding side-conversations. Using laptops during is
allowed only on the instruction of the professor. If necessary, the
students are expected to seek redress for grievances at a proper forum
instead of seeking an immediate solution.

All grievances may be addressed to the PGPM-Director or respective

functional heads and in his absence, to the Executive Director. In such
cases, a copy should be marked to the above.

Respect the Facilities

Students are expected to help maintain chairs, display screen, desktop

computers, LCDs, tables, window curtains and electrical fittings in good
usable condition and not damage them or render them useless.
Students are expected not to destroy the classroom ambience. The
cost of damage, loss or theft on account of students will be recovered
from them. When this cannot be attributed to one student, the cost will
be recovered from an identifiable group of which the individual is a part
or from the entire batch. Students are expected to use cans to dispose
of trash. They are also encouraged to remove defacing or unclean
material voluntarily.

Essentially, students should always use proper reporting and escalating

mechanisms for concerns and issues. Under no circumstances should
students take matters into their own hands. Students are expected to
use only the students’ dining hall for dining. Classrooms or any of the
other administrative or academic areas shall not be used for dining.

Great Lakes has adopted the principle of preserving the environment.

Therefore, it tries to inculcate in the minds of its students and staff, a
sense of being one with nature causing no harm anytime, anywhere,
and under any circumstances which will result in damage to the
environment.
Smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol in and around the
premises is strictly prohibited. Severe penalties will accrue to those
students caught violating this.

Use of Laptops in the class

Use of laptops in the class is strictly prohibited during class hours,

unless specifically authorized by the Faculty or the Academic
Administration.

Biometric Readers:

Bio-metric readers are installed for attendance in class rooms. Stu-

dents must register their attendance using only these devices.