CSCI 5254: Convex Optimization and Its Applications

Course Description

This course discusses basic convex analysis (convex sets, functions, and optimization problems), optimization theory (linear, quadratic, semidefinite, and geometric programming; optimality conditions and duality theory), some optimization algorithms (descent methods and interior-point methods), basic applications (in signal processing, machine learning, statistics, control, communications, networks, circuit design, mechanical engineering, and finance, etc), and some advanced topics (distributed decomposition, exact convex relaxation, and parsimonious recovery, if time permits). The objective is to give students the theoretical tools and training to recognize and formulate convex optimization problems that arise in engineering and applied science as well as the understanding of how such problems are solved, and to give students the background required to use the tools and methods of optimization in their own applications and researches.

Instructor

Lijun Chen (lijun.chen@colorado.edu)
Office hours: TUE 10:00AM-12:00PM
Office: ECOT335; Ext. 4384

Textbook

S. Boyd and L. Vandenberghe, Convex Optimization, Cambridge University Press, 2004. (This book is , but I strongly recommend to buy a hardcopy).

Optional or Other References

D. Bertsekas, A. Nedic, and A. Ozdaglar, Convex Analysis and Optimization, Athena Scientific, 2003.
´ºË®ÌÃÊÓƵ 5 papers to follow.

Lectures

Ìý

This is a tentative outline of the topics we will cover and will likely change as the semester goes by.

  • Introduction (Jan 16)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 1.
  • Convex sets (Jan 18, 23 & 25)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 2.
  • Convex Functions (Jan 30, Feb 1 & 6)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 3.
  • Convex Optimization Problems (Feb 6, 8, 13 & 15)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 4.
  • Duality (Feb 20, 22, 27 & Mar 1)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 5.1-5.7, 5.9.
  • Approximation and Fitting (Mar 6 & 8)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 6.
  • Statistical Estimation (Mar 13 & 15)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 7.
  • Geometric Problems (Mar 20 & 22)

    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 8.
  • Algorithms (Apr 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 & 26)
    (Unconstrained problems)
    (Equality constrained problems)
    (Interior-point methods)
    Reading: Boyd and Vandenberghe, Chapter 9, 10, 11.
  • Structural Signal Recovery (May 1 & 3)

Grading

This is a preliminary breakdown that may change during the semester.

  • Homework -- 40%
  • Final -- 50%
  • Participation -- 10%

Homework

There will be about eight to ten homework sets, due in class . Students are strongly encouraged to collaborate on homeworks, but should make sure to fully understand the problems and solutions and must write down solutions independently.

Final

There will be a 24-hour take home final exam.

Acknowledgement

The lecture slides are adopted from Dr. Stephen Boyd's letcture notes on at Standord University. Thank Dr. Boyd for his kind help and support.

Ìý

Accommodations for Disability

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail at dsinfo@colorado.edu.

If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Medical Conditions: Injuries, Surgeries, and Illnesses guidelines under Quick Links at Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.

Religious Observances

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, we accommodate the absences of the class and delay in homeworks and project due to religious observances, upon notifying the instructor one week ahead. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.

Classroom Behavior

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.

The instructor reserves the right to adjust grades as he sees needed, in response to the student behavior issues.

Discrimination and Harassment

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article 10, amended 11/8/2001). CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. For purposes of this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.

Honor Code

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at www.colorado.edu/policies/student-honor-code-policy.