1. Final Year in Summary…

2. Lingering Doubts?

3. Introductions

4. Today’s Agenda… Module selection Project selection Q&A

5. Modules (Semester 1) COM570: Project (Dave Bustard) COM501: Software Project Management (Dave Bustard) Choice from: COM542: Machine Learning and Data Mining (David McSherry) M COM551: Optional Research Methods (Bryan Scotney & Sally McClean) M COM569: Console Game Development (Darryl Charles)

6. Modules (Semester 2) COM570: Project (Dave Bustard) Choice from: COM524: Intelligent Systems (David McSherry) COM569: 3-D Games Technologies (Michael McNeill) COM548: Computer Networks M (Moira McAlister) COM572: Advanced Database M (Karl Stringer)

7. COM551: OPERATIONAL RESEARCH METHODS Professor Sally McClean (Module Co-ordinator) Room D059B. e-mail si.mcclean@ulster.ac.uksi.mcclean@ulster.ac.uk Professor Bryan Scotney Room D070. e-mail bw.scotney@ulster.ac.ukbw.scotney@ulster.ac.uk

8. Operational Research: “The Science of Better” In a nutshell, operations research (O.R.) is the discipline of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. By using techniques such as mathematical modelling to analyse complex situations, operations research gives executives and engineers the power to make more effective decisions and build more productive systems. The algorithms can be applied to diverse areas such as computer systems & networks, industrial processes, healthcare and business.

9. TOPICS 1. INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONAL RESEARCH 2. LINEAR PROGRAMMING & INTEGER PROGRAMMING 3. TRANSPORTATION & ASSIGNMENT PROBLEMS 4. NETWORK MODELS & SCHEDULING 5. SYSTEMS & SYSTEM PERFORMANCE 6. STATISTICS & PROBABILITY 7. SIMULATION MODELLING 8. SIMUL8 9. SIMULATION PROGRAMMING & ENVIRONMENTS

10. Final Year Goals Optimal degree classification Preparation for job/further study COM570 is central COM501 supports

11. COM501 Software Project Management Introduces useful concepts and techniques

12. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* Total

13. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 2. Possible career area 3. Just looks good 4. Know how to do it Total

14. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 4 2. Possible career area 5 3. Just looks good 2 4. Know how to do it 3 Total

15. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 42 2. Possible career area 53 3. Just looks good 25 4. Know how to do it 33 Total

16. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 428 2. Possible career area 5315 3. Just looks good 2510 4. Know how to do it 339 Total

17. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 428 2. Possible career area 5315 3. Just looks good 2510 4. Know how to do it 339 Total42

18. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 4285 2. Possible career area 53154 3. Just looks good 25101 4. Know how to do it 3394 Total42

19. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 428520 2. Possible career area 5315420 3. Just looks good 251012 4. Know how to do it 339412 Total4254

20. Rating Sheet Example Factors Affecting DecisionWP1*P2* 1. Like the supervisor 428520 2. Possible career area 5315420 3. Just looks good 251012 4. Know how to do it 339412 Total4254

21. Questions?

22. Hit the Ground Running…