Optimization Methods in Business Analytics

15.053x Optimization Methods in Business Analytics is a six-week MITx course from MIT Sloan, available free in the Open Learning Library. It looks at optimisation, the search for the most effective solution to a problem, through a business analytics lens, introducing the theory, algorithms and applications of the field. Linear and integer programming are taught both algebraically and geometrically and then applied to problems involving data; students learn to write algebraic formulations and use Julia with the JuMP package for computation. The theory is made approachable and requires no formal background in linear algebra or calculus, and the recommended audience is undergraduates and professionals who want to use optimisation software.

The syllabus runs through linear programming, the geometry of linear programming, two units on integer programming, sensitivity analysis and nonlinear programming. Most material is delivered in lecture and recitation videos, with an optional textbook available at no cost, and the course notes that it covers about half of the material of the 2013 on-campus subject, focusing on optimisation modelling. The instructor is James Orlin. The Open Learning Library charges no fees and does not issue certificates; if you create a free account you can track your progress and get instant feedback on exercises.