Optimization Techniques in Engineering
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There is also another engineering optimization course taught by Dr. Andrew Ning of the Mechanical Engineering department. Dr. Ning has another optimization textbook that is very good and focuses on aerospace engineering examples.
There is also another engineering optimization course taught by Dr. Andrew Ning of the Mechanical Engineering department. Dr. Ning has another optimization textbook that is very good and focuses on aerospace engineering examples. There are also many online resources such as Mathematical Optimization for Engineers (edX course).
- Martins, J, Ning, A., Engineering Design Optimization, Cambridge University Press, 2021. Preprint

John Hedengren worked 5 years with ExxonMobil Chemical on Optimization solutions for the petrochemical industry. He conducts research in optimization methods, modeling systems, and applications in Chemical Engineering. The PRISM group is actively working on oil and gas drilling automation, reservoir engineering, process optimization, unmanned aerial vehicles, and systems biology.
John Hedengren leads the BYU PRISM group with interests in combining data science, optimization, and automation with current projects in hybrid nuclear energy system design and unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. He earned a doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin and worked 5 years with ExxonMobil Chemical prior to joining BYU in 2011. | ![]() |
Office: 801-422-2590, 350R CB
Office: 801-422-2590, 330L EB
- Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., and L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, 2001. Entire Book (PDF) |Chapters
- Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., and L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, 2001. Book | Chapters
- Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., and L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, 2001. Download PDF
- Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., and L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, 2001. Entire Book (PDF) |Chapters
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There is also another engineering optimization course taught by Dr. Andrew Ning of the Mechanical Engineering department. Dr. Ning has another optimization textbook that is very good and focuses on aerospace engineering examples.
We will use a set of course notes that take the place of the book. Everyone will have access to these notes through this web-site. You will need to thoroughly understand everything in the notes. Please read the notes before coming to class and I will indicate the reading on the course schedule.
Everyone will have access to the book (download PDFs). You will need to thoroughly understand everything in the chapters. Please read the appropriate section before coming to class as indicated on the schedule.
Mechanical / Civil Engineering 575
Optimization Techniques in Engineering MWF - 3:00-3:50 pm, 254 CB
ME575/CE575: Optimization Techniques in Engineering (3 credit hours). This course covers theory and applications for optimization in engineering design. Topics include:
- Optimization Introduction
- Mathematical Modeling
- Unconstrained Optimization
- Discrete Optimization
- Genetic Algorithms
- Constrained Optimization
- Robust Optimization
- Dynamic Optimization
Both MATLAB and Python are used throughout the course as computational tools for implementing homework and exam problems and for the course projects. Tutorials in MATLAB and Python are provided as part of a separate computational tools course.
Mechanical Engineering 575 / Civil Engineering 575
Mechanical / Civil Engineering 575
Teaching Assistants
Reza Asgharzadeh reza_asghar_sh [at] yahoo.com Office hours MWF 10-11 AM in 210B FB Abraham Lee abrahamlee@byu.edu Office hours MWF 2-3 PM in 308 CB

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(:cell width=85%:) John Hedengren worked 5 years with ExxonMobil Chemical on Optimization solutions for the petrochemical industry. He conducts research in optimization methods, modeling systems, and applications in Chemical Engineering. The PRISM group is actively working on oil and gas drilling automation, reservoir engineering, process optimization, unmanned aerial vehicles, and systems biology. (:tableend:)
Professors
Alan R. Parkinson
Contact: parkinson [at] byu.edu

John D. Hedengren
Professor: John D. Hedengren
D Skip class, don't turn in homework or turn it in late, start learning during the exam.
D Skip class, don't turn in homework or turn it in late, start learning during the exam.
Disability Resources
If you suspect or are aware that you have a disability, you are strongly encouraged to contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC) located at 2170 WSC (801-422-2767) as soon as possible. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Examples include vision or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD). When registering with the UAC, the disability will be evaluated and eligible students will receive assistance in obtaining reasonable University approved accommodations.
Office hours Tu / Th 10-11 AM in 308 CB
Office hours MWF 10-11 AM in 210B FB Abraham Lee abrahamlee@byu.edu Office hours MWF 2-3 PM in 308 CB
Alan R. Parkinson parkinson [at] byu.edu
Alan R. Parkinson
Contact: parkinson [at] byu.edu
John D. Hedengren
John D. Hedengren'''
john.hedengren [at] byu.edu
Contact: john.hedengren [at] byu.edu
Professor
Professors
Alan R. Parkinson parkinson [at] byu.edu

Office: 801-422-2590, 350R CB,
Office: 801-422-2590, 350R CB
Office hours M, W, Fr 4-5 PM, 350R Clyde Building

TA/Graders:
Jose Mojica jlmojica [at] gmail.com

Teaching Assistants
Reza Asgharzadeh reza_asghar_sh [at] yahoo.com
Nathan Edwards nathanedwards8 [at] gmail.com Office hours We / Fr 2-3 PM in 308 CB
OptdesX Support
Abraham Lee tisimst [at] gmail.com
Office: 350R CB, 801-422-2590
Office: 801-422-2590, 350R CB, Cell: 801-477-7341
A Read material in advance including the reading questions. Be attentive and ask questions in lectures, understand and do all homework on time, study hard for exams well before the exam starts, work hard and perform well on exams and the class projects.
A Read material in advance, be attentive and ask questions in lectures, understand and do all homework on time, study hard for exams well before the exam starts, work hard and perform well on exams and the class projects.
Office hours Tu / Th 9:30-10:30 AM in 308 CB
Office hours Tu / Th 10-11 AM in 308 CB
Office hours Tu / Th 9-10 AM in 308 CB
Office hours Tu / Th 9:30-10:30 AM in 308 CB
Office hours M / We 9-10 AM in 308 CB
Office hours Tu / Th 9-10 AM in 308 CB Nathan Edwards nathanedwards8 [at] gmail.com Office hours We / Fr 2-3 PM in 308 CB
OptdesX Support
Office hours T / Th 3-4 PM in 308 CB
Mechanical Engineering 575
Mechanical Engineering 575 / Civil Engineering 575


20%
15% (:cellnr:) Participation (:cell:) 5%

About the Professor: John Hedengren worked 5 years with ExxonMobil Chemical on Optimization solutions for the petrochemical industry. He conducts research in optimization methods, modeling systems, and applications in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering.

Book
We will use a set of course notes that take the place of the book. Everyone will have access to these notes through this web-site. You will need to thoroughly understand everything in the notes. Please read the notes before coming to class and I will indicate the reading on the course schedule.
Honor Code
Elder Henry B. Eyring has encouraged us to make this the type of university where Christ would like to come. He is also very interested in justifying the tithing money of faithful members of the church. It is such a pleasure to work at this university with such great young men and women. Please remember to adhere to the Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards.
- Computer Policy: Computer accounts in the department are privileges to be used in conjunction with and in support of various classes and research projects. Violation of university and department computer patron policy in any form will result in immediate suspension of your account(s) and may result in suspension from the University. If an abuse involves violation of the honor code, you will be referred to the University Honor Code Office.
- Academic Honesty: Receiving help from others is sometimes a "gray" area in terms of what is and is not appropriate, so I would like to state a policy for this class. Working with others can be an efficient means of learning. However, you are not to copy another's work. Homework study groups should not be larger than 3 people, and each member should contribute to the problem solutions and submit his/her own write-up. If we have an optimization assignment that is not a group assignment, you are to code your own model, interpret it, generate results from it and do your own write-up. For group projects, all students should contribute equally. As mentioned previously, you are not to refer to tests or homework assignments from previous semesters.
Resources
- T.F. Edgar, D.M. Himmelblau, L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, 2001. Download PDF
References
- Belegundu A. and T. Chandrupatla Optimization Concepts and Applications in Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1999.
- Gen, M. and R. Cheng, Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Optimization, Wiley, 2000.
- Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., and L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, 2001. Download PDF
- Fletcher R., Practical Methods of Optimization Volumes 1,2, John Wiley 1980, 1981.
- Luenberger and Ye, Linear and Nonlinear Programming Third Edition, Springer, 2008.
You will be required to complete two group projects. Groups will consist of 3 students and one report will be submitted for the group. Homework assignments will be reduced during the time which the project is assigned.
You will be required to complete two group projects. Groups will consist of 3 students and one report will be submitted for the group. Each group member is to fully participate. I will provide suggestions or you can do something of your own interest or something that is integrated with a campus or off-campus research project.
One of the most common questions that I receive from students who would like to take this class is, "How much programming experience is required to succeed in the class?"
To address this concern, we have prepared software tutorials that assume very little knowledge of programming. There are also many excellent resources on the internet that give tutorial introductions to programming. Those students who have no or little programming experience can review these step-by-step instructional videos to gain some of the required background. We can also hold recitation sessions in a computer lab outside of normal class times if there is need.
This is an optimization course, not a programming course, but some familiarity with MATLAB, Python, C++, or equivalent programming language is required to perform assignments, projects, and exams. Students who complete the course will gain experience in at least one of these programming languages.
Elder Henry B. Eyring has encouraged us to make this the type of university where Christ would like to come. He is also very interested in justifying the tithing money of faithful members of the church. It is such a pleasure to work at this university with such great young men and women. Please remember to adhere to the Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards.
Elder Henry B. Eyring has encouraged us to make this the type of university where Christ would like to come. He is also very interested in justifying the tithing money of faithful members of the church. It is such a pleasure to work at this university with such great young men and women. Please remember to adhere to the Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards.
- Computer Policy: Computer accounts in the department are privileges to be used in conjunction with and in support of various classes and research projects. Violation of university and department computer patron policy in any form will result in immediate suspension of your account(s) and may result in suspension from the University. If an abuse involves violation of the honor code, you will be referred to the University Honor Code Office.
- Academic Honesty: Receiving help from others is sometimes a "gray" area in terms of what is and is not appropriate, so I would like to state a policy for this class. Working with others can be an efficient means of learning. However, you are not to copy another's work. Homework study groups should not be larger than 3 people, and each member should contribute to the problem solutions and submit his/her own write-up. If we have an optimization assignment that is not a group assignment, you are to code your own model, interpret it, generate results from it and do your own write-up. For group projects, all students should contribute equally. As mentioned previously, you are not to refer to tests or homework assignments from previous semesters.
MWF - 3:00 pm, 254 CB
MWF - 3:00-3:50 pm, 254 CB
About the Professor: John Hedengren worked 5 years with ExxonMobil Chemical on Optimization solutions for the petrochemical industry. He conducts research in optimization methods, modeling systems, and applications in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering 436
Process Dynamics and Control MWF - 1:00 pm, 256 CB
Mechanical Engineering 575
Optimization Techniques in Engineering MWF - 3:00 pm, 254 CB
Office hours M, W, Fr 2-3 PM, 350R Clyde Building
Office hours M, W, Fr 4-5 PM, 350R Clyde Building
ME 575: Optimization Techniques in Engineering (3 credit hours).
ME 575: Optimization Techniques in Engineering (3 credit hours). Also cross-listed as CE EN 575. Application of computer optimization techniques to constrained engineering design. Theory and application of unconstrained and constrained nonlinear algorithms. Genetic algorithms. Robust design methods. Prerequisite: MATH 302; C, C++, or similar computer language.
A Read material in advance, including the reading questions. Be attentive and ask questions in lectures, understand and do all homework on time, study hard for exams well before the exam starts, work hard and perform well on exams and the class projects.
A Read material in advance including the reading questions. Be attentive and ask questions in lectures, understand and do all homework on time, study hard for exams well before the exam starts, work hard and perform well on exams and the class projects.
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(:title Optimization Techniques in Engineering:) (:keywords nonlinear, optimization, engineering optimization, kuhn-tucker, gradient methods, grg, interior point, active set, differential, algebraic, modeling language, university course:) (:description Optimization Techniques in Engineering at Brigham Young University:)
Chemical Engineering 436
Process Dynamics and Control MWF - 1:00 pm, 256 CB
Professor
J.D. Hedengren Office: 350R CB, 801-422-2590 john.hedengren [at] byu.edu Office hours M, W, Fr 2-3 PM, 350R Clyde Building
TA/Graders:
Jose Mojica jlmojica [at] gmail.com Office hours M / We 9-10 AM in 308 CB Abraham Lee tisimst [at] gmail.com Office hours T / Th 3-4 PM in 308 CB
Resources
- T.F. Edgar, D.M. Himmelblau, L.S. Lasdon, Optimization of Chemical Processes, 2001. Download PDF
Recitation Sessions
As needed through-out the semester. The Teaching Assistants will conduct the recitation sessions. Generally they will be held:
- Before exams
- To help work through difficult project issues
- For additional class time
Catalog Description
ME 575: Optimization Techniques in Engineering (3 credit hours).
Course Objectives
Grading
(:table border=0 width=50%:) (:cell:) Homework/Quizzes (:cell:) 20% (:cellnr:) Projects (:cell:) 30% (15% Each) (:cellnr:) Mid-Term Exam (:cell:) 20% (:cellnr:) Final Exam (:cell:) 30% (:tableend:)
Reading
Reading is essential to succeeding in this class. There are a number of resources that are available on this web-site or through external sources.
Quizzes
Unannounced quizzes will be given on the assigned reading material for that day. The number of quizzes will increase as student preparation for classes decreases. Motto: BE PREPARED! Quizzes will not be rescheduled, and extra credit is not available. Quizzes count for a homework grade each. The quizzes are intended to: 1) provide an opportunity for you to practice responding to questions under time pressure, 2) provide encouragement for you to keep up with the course material, 3) encourage attendance.
Exams
There will be a mid-term and the final exam. These exams may be closed book and/or open book, in-class or in the testing center, as specified by the instructor prior to the exam. Exams will only be given after the scheduled date by special permission. Students with conflicts should arrange to take the exam prior to the scheduled date.
Project
You will be required to complete two group projects. Groups will consist of 3 students and one report will be submitted for the group. Homework assignments will be reduced during the time which the project is assigned.
Computer Tools
Citizenship
I will come prepared to each class, ready to help explain the material covered in the reading. I appreciate attentive students who respect my time and the time of other students.
Honor Code
Elder Henry B. Eyring has encouraged us to make this the type of university where Christ would like to come. He is also very interested in justifying the tithing money of faithful members of the church. It is such a pleasure to work at this university with such great young men and women. Please remember to adhere to the Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards.
Study Habits
Grade Expectations
A Read material in advance, including the reading questions. Be attentive and ask questions in lectures, understand and do all homework on time, study hard for exams well before the exam starts, work hard and perform well on exams and the class projects.
B Skim material in advance, attend lectures and try to stay awake, depend on TA for homework help, casually study for the exam by working the practice exam instead of learning concepts.
C Never read book, work on other homework during class, skip some homework assignments, start cramming for the exam the night before the exam.
D Skip class, don't turn in homework or turn it in late, start learning during the exam.