EMTH604-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Optimisation

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

Techniques for optimising smooth functions both with and without constraints present.

Course Information:
Mathematical optimization is an important subject that has applications to many areas in science, data science, commerce and engineering. This course introduces some of the fundamental concepts, including describing what an optimization problem is, understanding what is meant by a solution, and introducing several of the foundational algorithms that can be used to tackle optimization problems. Emphasis is placed on algorithms and understanding both how and why they work.

Topics Covered:
This course focuses on the minimization of smooth functions of several variables, in both the unconstrained and constrained cases. Topics may be chosen from the following list: Gradient Descent; Newton’s method; quasi-Newton methods; Conjugate Gradients; Augmented Lagrangian methods; Interior point methods; Trust region methods; Convexity; Positive Definiteness; Derivative approximations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will:

· Be familiar with the foundational algorithms for optimization;
· Understand why, when and how these algorithms work;
· Have observed computational aspects of the algorithms via software;
· Have had the opportunity to learn problem solving skills both as part of a team and as an individual;
· Have developed written and oral communications skills, emphasizing the ability to explain what the mathematics means.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of School.

Restrictions

Course Coordinator

For further information see Mathematics and Statistics Head of Department

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,344.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 5 people apply to enrol.

For further information see Mathematics and Statistics .

All EMTH604 Occurrences

  • EMTH604-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026