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Quick Facts

Medium Of Instructions	Mode Of Learning	Mode Of Delivery
English	Self Study	Video and Text Based

Course Overview

This fundamental course focuses on the mathematical approach to networks and optimization issues. This course is presented by edX, a popular online education medium along with the institution of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), a top European institution for technology and science. This short intermediate course is provided with a flexible learning system and a comprehensive curriculum which will be under the experienced EPFL professor, Michel Bierlaire. The students can either go for a free audit session with limited benefits or a verified track session with complete Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization certification benefits.

The course mainly highlights five different sections: Transhipment, Discrete optimization, Shortest path, Exact methods for discrete optimization, and Networks which will be individually assessed and graded as well. Apart from these key concepts, the syllabus focuses on other important aspects such as modelling, the curse of dimensionality, total unimodularity, network representations, and so on. Two different tracks are available on edX which may be opted for by the students to complete the course. Both the tracks are self-paced but during the verified track, the candidates may access the course for a lifetime by paying some fee. To access the audit track, nothing is charged but the materials will only be accessible for a limited period.

The Highlights

The course provided by edX
Presented by EPFL institution
The course duration of 5 weeks with 6-8 hours per week
Verified and shareable certification
Self-paced instructor-led online classes
Free audit sessions for a limited period
Intermediate course on math

Programme Offerings

Instructor-led
Practise Exercises
Discussion Forums
Online Classes
Final examination
& Video lectures

Courses and Certificate Fees

Fees Informations	Certificate Availability	Certificate Providing Authority
INR 4907	yes	Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

Students have been provided with online payment options for this course.
There are two different learning ways: Audit session users and verified track users.
The audit users are accessible by all enrolled students and have zero payments.
The verified track needs to be purchased at an amount of Rs. 4,907 which unlocks all the benefits.

Fee category	Amount in INR
Base fee	-
Upgradation fee	4,907

Eligibility Criteria

Education

Students are assumed to have prior knowledge in linear optimization and are advised to follow the companion course if they are unfamiliar with this concept. Also, programming skills with python language are encouraged since it would make the learning process easier. It's not a mandatory requirement.

Certification qualifying details

The students will only be provided with the certificate of completion if they have become a verified track user after the necessary payments. Students should meet a grade requirement of 60% or above in the final grade based on the final examinations.

What you will learn

Mathematical skillKnowledge of Algorithms

The course is designed to give students a plethora of learning outcomes focused on various skills such as the following:

Students are taught how to deal with various networks with a detailed study of the mathematical formalism of networks and graphs under the Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization programme.
Students are given a comprehensive account of Transhipment problems or minimum cost flow problems as a part of the Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization training.
The different transhipment properties along with special instances are provided to the students to give a conclusive account on the topic.
Students are trained in different algorithms to easily find the shortest path in a network.
Students are given the training to specify and isolate a discrete optimization problem.
Students are trained to find ideal methods for combating discrete optimization problems through two sets of algorithms to solve the problems Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization training.
Students are given a brief and coherent account on the mathematical concept of networks Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization online course.
The modelling power of discrete optimization is taught to the students in detail along with reference to classical issues.
Different algorithms such as branch and bound algorithms are taught with examples along with the concept of cuts with Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization programme.
Students are trained to have a mathematical approach and intuitions to allow a thorough understanding of key concepts on optimization.

Who it is for

The following students can apply for this course:

Aspirants who have a keen interest to learn the fundamentals of networks and discrete optimization.
Students who wish to build an impeccable career in this field with knowledge of python programming.

Admission Details

The intermediate course provides the learners an easy and quick online registration process within a few clicks.

The following steps can be adopted by the learners in order to register in the course:

Step: 1- Browse the course website with the URL provided- https://www.edx.org/course/network-and-discrete-optimization.

Step: 2- Sign up on the edX website using any one of your social media accounts or creating a new account and complete email verification of the ID you provided by clicking the confirmation link sent to the same ID.

Step: 3- Enrol in the desired course and you will be directed to a page confirming your enrolment and to select whether you want to go for direct payment or continue auditing.

Step: 4- click on the option, purchase the verified track if you wish to go for direct upgrading. After choosing, proceed to Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization training fee payment.

Step: 5- Become a verified track user after completing the payment using any of the given payment options.

Application Details

The Syllabus

Welcome
What this course is about
Practical information

Introduction
Definitions
Trees
Networks: flows
Networks: capacities
Networks: supply and demand
Networks: costs
Network representations

Introduction
The transshipment problem
Optimality conditions
Total unimodularity
Modeling

Introduction
Properties
The shortest path algorithm
Dijkstra's algorithm
The longest path problem

Introduction
Modeling
Classical problems
The curse of dimensionality
Relaxation

Introduction
Branch and bound
Cutting planes

Questions
Networks
Transshipment
Shortest path
Discrete optimization
Exact methods for discrete optimization

Questions
Networks
Transshipment
Shortest path
Discrete optimization
Exact methods for discrete optimization

Farewell

Instructors

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1: Will the students lose their course progress if the audit period expires?

Once the audit session expires after a given period, the students will lose access to the Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization training content along with their progress up to that time.

2: What all basic concepts are covered?

This intermediate course on optimization mainly covers five different sections in-depth, which include networks, shortest path, discrete optimizations, methods for discrete optimization, and transshipment.

3: Can an absolute beginner apply for the course?

This is an intermediate course and if the learner has a good knowledge of python programming and linear optimization, they can apply to this course.

4: In which all social media platforms can the certificate be shared and then reaped Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization certification benefits out of it?

The students can officially share their completed course certification and other course updates to different social media platforms like Google, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or with your mail IDs.

5: Does the course have any other language transcripts other than English?

At present, the students are not offered video transcripts in any other language other than English. English is the official language to suit maximum students.

6: What is the recommended course duration?

Even though it is a self-paced course, students are provided with a course duration of 5 weeks which can be achieved with an effort of 6-8 hours weekly.

7: Can the students claim refunds anytime?

Students can only officially claim full amount refunds if they have unenrolled from the Optimization: Principles and algorithms- Network and discrete optimization training within the refund eligibility period of 14 days from the purchase date or class start.

8: When should the students apply for financial assistance?

The students should apply to avail the financial assistance provided before or on the deadline given for purchasing the upgrade for becoming a verified track user.

9: Can the students pursue multiple courses together?

If the students can manage and schedule the courses accordingly, students can pursue any number of courses that can be accessed from the dashboard itself.

10: Can the due dates be changed?

This is a self-paced course and hence the due dates are just provided for regulating your studies systematically. However, dates fixed by the instructors cannot be shifted.