Geometric Optimization 202-2-6281
Fall 2020

Prerequisite: Algorithms

Some background in Computational Geometry is needed in order to understand some of the material. Most of this background will be provided in class when it becomes relevant; in some cases though the students will be referred to specific pages in one of the Computational Geometry textbooks.


Announcements:


Instructor:

Matya Katz  ( matya@cs.bgu.ac.il

Office hours: Monday 12:15-13:00 (and by appointment)  Office hourse

 

Teaching Assistant:

         

 

Class Time:

Tuesday 16-18


Course Description:

The course deals with various topics in geometric optimization. Several techniques and a selection of approximation algorithms will be presented. More precisely, a subset of the following optimization techniques will be discussed: parametric searching and searching in sorted matrices, the shifting strategy, geometric local search, epsilon-nets and epsilon-approximations, core sets, (geometric) linear programming. In addition, approximation algorithms (mostly based on these techniques) dealing with, e.g., geometric covering, (wireless) network design, and facility location will be presented. 


Bibliography:

Most of the material is taken from recent papers and cannot be found in textbooks.There are several survey papers on geometric optimization and on specific topics in geometric optimization. References will be provided later on.

A recommended textbook in computational geometry is

M. de Berg Otfried Cheong, Marc van KreveldMark Overmars

Springer-Verlag


Requirements, Assignments and Grades:

Attendance: You may miss up to 3 classes. This is a necessary condition for passing the course.

The final grade will be determined by 4 homework assignments (~50%), and a final project which may include (among other requirements) the presentation of a scientific paper (~50%).

 

 


Course summary:

Below you will find, after each class, a brief summary of the topics covered in class. This should not be taken as a complete description of the course's content.

 

 

Last update: October 14, 2020