Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to the algorithmic theory and applications of discrete optimisation. The main aims of this unit are: Learn how to model various practical problems as abstract optimisation problems; Learn the theory underlying efficient algorithms for solving these problems; Learn how to use these tools in practice. Specific topics include: Linear and integer programming, polyhedral theory, and approximation algorithms.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(DATA3888 or COMP3888 or COMP3988 or CSEC3888 or ISYS3888 or SOFT3888 or ENGG3112 or SCPU3001) and (COMP2123 or COMP2823) and (COMP3027 or COMP3927)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	COMP3530 or COMP5530
Assumed knowledge ?	A major in a computer science area. Discrete mathematics and probability (e.g. MATH1064 or equivalent) and Linear algebra (e.g. MATH1061 or equivalent)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Julian Mestre, julian.mestre@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Final exam	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quizzes Fortnightly quizzes	8%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes per quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assignment 1 Assignment 1	8%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Sep 2025	10 working days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assignment 2 Assignment 2	8%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Sep 2025	10 working days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assignment 3 Assignment 3	8%	Week 09 Due date: 07 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Oct 2025	10 working days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assignment 4 Assignment 4	8%	Week 11 Due date: 20 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 Oct 2025	10 working days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assignments: There will be four individual assignments. These will consist of written problems, as well as implementation/experimental problems.
Quizzes: There will be five individual Canvas quizzes throughout the semester.
Final Exam: A written examination covering all the material covered in class. There is a 40% barrier for the final exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submissions for Assignments will not be allowed beyond the 5-day simple extension. As such, there are no late penalties in this unit of study. Quizzes can do done any time during the week they are released.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to optimisation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Simplex	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Modeling	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Duality theory	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Applications of linear programming	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Integral polyhedra	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Integer programming	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Large scale optimisation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Lagrangian relaxation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Maximum submodular coverage	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Minimum submodular coverage	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	LP rounding	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Laurence A. Wolsey, Integer Programming.
Bertsimas, D., and J. Tsitsiklis., Linear Optimization.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand fundamental algorithms for several optimisation problems, such as linear and integer programming, approximation algorithms, and fixed-parameter tractability
LO2. implement algorithms and use standard tools for solving real life problems
LO3. model application problems as optimisation problems
LO4. apply and tailor known algorithms for solving new, and challenging problems

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit is taught.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

COMP4530: Discrete Optimisation

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links