About the course

Optimization theory and algorithm is an important branch of mathematics, and also it is an important research tool in the fields of scientific research and engineering technology. The problem it studies is what the best scheme is and how to find the best one. Usually, optimization methods include traditional optimization ones and modern optimization ones. The traditional optimization algorithms based on gradient method have the advantages of high efficiency, strong reliability and maturity. However, they often require the objective function to be convex, continuously differentiable and the feasible region to be convex set. Modern optimization algorithms based on biological intelligence or physical phenomena are generally random search algorithm. They do not require the continuity and convexity of objective functions and constraints, or even whether there are analytical expressions or not. To the uncertainty of the calculation data, it also has a strong adaptability.

Modern optimization methods have the following two characteristics when solving problems: first, they do not use mathematical calculation mode, but use and simulate natural phenomena, processes and their principles. They use biological intelligence, physical phenomena and their laws, and take data processing, algorithm or calculation model construction, parameter control as characteristics; second, they do not need to establish problems by the precise mathematical or logical model of itself. However, they use heuristic information in the process of calculation to guide the search of solutions. Therefore, they can approach the region of the optimal solution and gradually approach the direction of the optimal solution.

About the teacher

Tian Yubo was born in Liaoning Province, China. He received the Ph.D. at Nanjing University in 2004. Now, he is currently a full professor, doctoral supervisor and vice Dean of the School of Electronics and Information (SEI), Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST). Now, Dr. Tian is in charge of the Excellent teaching team of "Qinglan project" in Jiangsu Universities, Excellent postgraduate course "neural network" in Jiangsu Province, and Excellent course "modern optimization theory" of foreign student English teaching in Jiangsu Province. He has been awarded the nomination award of the first "Top Ten Graduate Tutors" in Jiangsu Province and famous teacher award in JUST.

All materials are contributed by Jiangsu University of Science and Technology.