optimization
Mathematical optimization (alternatively spelled ''optimisation'') or mathematical programming is the selection of a best element, with regard to some criterion, from some set of available alternatives. It is generally divided into two subfi ...
. The MOS encourages the research, development, and use of optimization—including
mathematical theory
A mathematical theory is a mathematical model of a branch of mathematics that is based on a set of axioms. It can also simultaneously be a body of knowledge (e.g., based on known axioms and definitions), and so in this sense can refer to an area ...
mathematical programming
Mathematical optimization (alternatively spelled ''optimisation'') or mathematical programming is the selection of a best element, with regard to some criterion, from some set of available alternatives. It is generally divided into two subfi ...
methods were gaining increasing importance both in mathematical theory and in industrial application. To provide a discussion forum for researchers in the field arose, the journal ''Mathematical Programming'' was founded in 1970.
Based on activities by
George Dantzig
George Bernard Dantzig (; November 8, 1914 – May 13, 2005) was an American mathematical scientist who made contributions to industrial engineering, operations research, computer science, economics, and statistics.
Dantzig is known for his ...
, Albert Tucker, Philip Wolfe and others, the MOS was founded in 1973, with George Dantzig as its first president.
Activities
Conferences
Several conferences are organized or co-organized by the Mathematical Optimization Society, for instance:
* The ''International Symposium on Mathematical Programming (ISMP)'', organized every three years, is open to all fields of mathematical programming.
* The ''Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization (IPCO)'' conference, in
Integer programming
An integer programming problem is a mathematical optimization or feasibility program in which some or all of the variables are restricted to be integers. In many settings the term refers to integer linear programming (ILP), in which the objective ...
, is held in those years when there is no ISMP.
* The ''International Conference on Continuous Optimization (ICCOPT)'', the continuous analog of the IPCO conference, was first held in 2004.
* The ''International Conference on Stochastic Programming (ICSP)'' takes place every three years and is devoted to optimization using uncertain input data.
* The ''Nordic MOS'' conference is a biannual meeting of researchers from
Scandinavia
Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion#Europe, subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, ...
working in all fields of optimization.
* At the
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal (UdeM; ; translates to University of Montreal) is a French-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university's main campus is located in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood of Côte- ...
, annual seminars on changing topics are organized by the MOS.
Journals and other publications
There are several publications by the Mathematical Optimization Society:
* The journal ''
Mathematical Programming
Mathematical optimization (alternatively spelled ''optimisation'') or mathematical programming is the selection of a best element, with regard to some criterion, from some set of available alternatives. It is generally divided into two subfi ...
'' (series A/B): series A publishes articles from all fields of optimization; each issue of series B is devoted to a particular subject.
* The journal ''Mathematical Programming Computation''
* ''Optima'', the newsletter of the MOS, contains articles on optimization, conference information and book reviews.
* ''MPS/SIAM Series on Optimization'' is a series of books that is jointly published by the MOS (formerly MPS) and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). It has published
monograph
A monograph is a specialist work of writing (in contrast to reference works) or exhibition on a single subject or an aspect of a subject, often by a single author or artist, and usually on a scholarly subject.
In library cataloging, ''monograph ...
s,
textbook
A textbook is a book containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a branch of study with the intention of explaining it. Textbooks are produced to meet the needs of educators, usually at educational institutions. Schoolbooks are textboo ...
s, books collecting applications of optimization, and
tutorial
A tutorial, in education, is a method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of a learning process. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture, a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete ...
s.
Prizes
The MOS awards prizes in the field of optimization, including the
Fulkerson Prize
The Fulkerson Prize for outstanding papers in the area of discrete mathematics is sponsored jointly by the Mathematical Optimization Society (MOS) and the American Mathematical Society (AMS). Up to three awards of $1,500 each are presented at e ...
, the
Dantzig Prize
The Dantzig Prize is given every 3 years to one or more individuals for research which, by virtue of its originality, breadth, and depth, has a major impact on the field of mathematical programming. It is named in honor of George B. Dantzig and is ...