Prerequisites: Basic calculus and linear algebra

CORTONA: Third TERM: August 18th - August 31st;
part of: OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Prof. Henry Wolkowicz of University of Waterloo
at: Scuola Matematica Interuniversitaria, Via S. Marta 13/A, I-50139 FIRENZE, Italy

Miscellaneous Problems (pdf file) (ps file)

In Lecture 1
In Lecture 2
In Lecture 3
In Lecture 4
In Lecture 5
In Lecture 6
In Lecture 7
In Lecture 8
In Lecture 9
In Lecture 10
In Lecture 11


All the Classes and as a ps file

List of Students - with email links:

• Bernardetta Addis with email address b.addis@ing.unifi.it
• Marcel Bogdan with email address marcel@science.uttgm.ro
• Maurizio Bruglieri with email address bruglier@elet.polioni.it
• Sebastian Buhai, with email address buhai@tinbergen.nl and URL www.tinbergen.nl/~buhai.
• Elisa Caprari with email address ecapran@eco.unipv.it
• Giuliana Carello with email address carello@orgroup.polito.it
• Luca Coslovich with email address coslovic@units.it
• Bernardo D'Auria, with email address dauria@diema.unisa.it
• Luigi Degiovanni with email address degiovanni@athena.polito.it
• Guglielmo Guastalla with email address willi@alum.mit.edu
• Clara Rosa Herranz with email address clara6@terra.es
• Manuel Iori with email address miori@deis.unibo.it.
• Sara Mattia, with email address mattia@dis.uniroma1.it.
• Mariagrazia Mecoli with email address mariagrazia.mecoli@uniroma1.it
• Ana Osvald with email address osvald@univ.trieste.it
• Barbara Panicucci (Pisa, Italia) with email address panicucc@mail.dm.unipi.it
• Emiliano Parrello with email address parrello@dis.uniroma1.it.
• Mauro Passacantando with email address passacan@mail.dm.unipi.it
• Veronica Piccalli, with email address piccialli@dis.uniroma1.it.
• Mara Servilio with email address servilio@di.univaq.it
• Renato Torelli with email address renato.torelli@istat.it
• Matteo Triossi, with email address mtriossi@elrond.uc3m.es

Useful Links

• The book is complemented by the NEOS GUIDE, at http://www.mcs.anl.gov/home/otc/GUIDE.
  This is also called the The Optimization Technology Center with notes and software - will solve problems online. Also, see the optimization tree, a graphical picture (clickable) of optimization topics. Also, nonlinear programs can be solved by e.g. LANCELOT see e.g. LANCELOT at OTC, and LANCELOT home page. We will be using LANCELOT in this course.
• An Operations Research home page with LOTS of useful information, e.g. jobs, FAQs, addresses, ...;
• An electronic optimization book; (from the Computational Science Education Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
• An FAQ (frequently asked questions) on nonlinear programming;

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Numerical Methods for Optimization

Prerequisites: Basic calculus and linear algebra

See the original outline of the course (ps file); and original outline of the course (pdf file).

• Cortona

  • map of Cortona region and where it is and what to expect locally and The Best in Tuscany (tourism) and
    more on Tuscany with maps/guides to main cities

    ,

  • Assisi and Perugia are two places quite close to Cortona. Assisi is located on hills rising to higher mountains. It is usually packed with tourists (catholic pilgrims), but definitely worth seeing. Hint: finding a place to park is tricky. On the way back you may want to stop in Perugia. This is a very charming city.
    Arezzo is also nearby.
  • Firenze and Siena: Firenze is also always packed with tourists, but going to see Ponte Vechhio, the Uffici Museum and the cathedral is a must. The city itself is not as interesting as Siena. Siena is not as big, but it is located on several hills, giving it a spectacular appearance. In Siena you should definitely go to see the Piazza del Campo. It has the shape of a shell, and gives you an impression of medieval Italy.
  • Pisa and the coast: Aside from the piazza dei miracoli (with the leaning tower and the cathedral), Pisa is not as interesting as many of the other places.
  • Lucca has a nicely kept old center of the city.
  • Further down the coast (further south then Elba) is the peninsula called monte argentario with Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. Both these are typical coastal towns, with fishing boats, a nice harbour, nearby beaches - very enjoyable. It is a resort for rich Romans, getting out of the city during the summer.
    Finally, there are several other smaller places in Tuscany which are definitely worth to go and see, such as Volterra, Montepulciano (located on top of a hill, beautiful sight, good wine)
    Possible places on the seaside on the east: Ravenna and Rimini are the major cities there.
    One thing to keep in mind: 100 km on country roads may take quite some time....

• Historical/Tourist Information:

  • Tourism
    • pictures at "Il Palazzone"
    • Info on Rome, e.g. Il Gelato di San Crispino - ice cream at Via della Panetteria 42 ( Very near the Trevi Fountain. Facing the fountain, turn right onto V. Lavatore and take your 2nd left; the gelato temple is on the right.)
    • Tourism in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
    • Virtual Tourist
    • Tours through Hotel Panama Garden
  • History
    • The Development of Western Civilization, World History, Rome
    • History in Italy