Seminar Management Science

Module:

WW-D-120-SMSC / WW-MA-120-SMSC

MA-WW-BWL-1018 / D-WW-WIWI-1018

Lecturer: Tristan Becker

Course Description: 

In this course, students deal with current research questions in Management Science. Students work on a selected topic in small groups or individually, depending on the number of participants. They gather data, implement mathematical models or solution algorithms, and present their results as part of their seminar paper and presentation. Students gather skills in the areas of mathematical modeling, data processing, as well as exact and heuristic solution algorithms. They independently work with quantitative methods on a scientific level and gain an overview of the current research literature.

The course enables students to apply/implement exact and heuristic algorithms for important optimization problems in the area of Management Science and also provides an overview of real-world problems. Students will implement selected mathematical models or solution algorithms using Python 3 and Gurobi.

Topics include:

1.Solving the Rotating Workforce Scheduling Problem

2.Optimizing Ambulance Location-Allocation

3.Predictive Analytics for Wine Futures

4.Value of Modular Production Concepts in Production Networks in the Chemical Industry

5.Integrated Optimization of Staffing Levels, Shifts, and Shift Schedules at Cinema Snack Bars

6.Distributed Flow Shop Scheduling

7.Network Optimization for Sustainable Cloud Infrastructures

Course registration: 

You can register until October 15th, 2025, 09:20 am. The number of participants is limited to 15. Late registrations will be accepted at the beginning of the Kick-Off meeting if the participant limit has not been reached.

We aim to distribute topics according to student preferences.

Prerequisites:

We recommend having visited an elementary course in Operations Research.

Credit Points: 5 (60% term paper, 40% final presentation)

Course Language: English

Dates

- Kick-off: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 from 09:20 – 10:50 am. Topic and group assignments will be announced after the kick-off meeting. Room: MER 0E23/U

- Feedback presentation: November 12th, 2025 from 09:20 am – 12:40 pm. Room: SCH A107/U

- Final presentation: December 10th, 2025 from 09:20 am – 12:40 pm. Room: HSZ 208/U

- Deadline for submitting term papers (15 - 20 pages, group work): December 12th, 2025.

On these dates, attendance is mandatory. Additionally, students schedule individual consultation meetings with the lecturer. We will provide additional organizational information during the kick-off date.

Please check regularly for announcements in the learning room.

Literature will be provided for each topic individually.