Teaching#

NPS Courses#

Systems Optimization (OS3211 / OS3007)#

When: Fall, Winter, Summer
Length: 10 weeks
Number of Times Taught: 6

As the title suggests, this course is all about optimization. Optimization is one of the primary tools used in Operations Research. This course introduces optimization from an application-oriented perspective. Primary topics covered are:

Mathematical optimization techniques: linear, integer, and multi-objective programming.
Optimization modeling tools: Excel Solver
Model and results analysis: sensitivity and post-optimality analysis.
Optimization applications: military and private sector optimization applications in production planning and scheduling, inventory planning, personnel scheduling, project scheduling, distribution systems planning, facility sizing and capacity expansion, communication systems design, and product development.

Critical Infrastructure Analysis and Defense (OS4621 / NS4721)#

When: By Special Request Only
Length: 10 weeks
Number of Times Taught: 6

The premise of this course is straightforward: our dependence on critical infrastructures makes us vulnerable to both deliberate and non-deliberate events that can disrupt our physical, economic, and social welfare. This course develops the literacy and competencies necessary to analyze potential vulnerabilities and recommend realistic solutions for military and civilian infrastructure in the United States. Students gain experience evaluating infrastructure vulnerability through case studies on civilian and DoD systems and a course project.

Fundamentally, this course is about answering the following questions:

What is critical infrastructure? How do infrastructure assets connect and operate as systems to provide services like electricity, water, mobility, and telecommunications? How does our dependence on these systems make us vulnerable to accidents, failures, and attacks?
Who is involved in making infrastructure protection decisions? What policies, organizations, and regulations influence critical infrastructure operations and protection? What perspectives influence how vulnerabilities and threats are mitigated?
How do we evaluate critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and what can be done to protect against them? How can we make sense of the likelihood and consequences of threats to identify critical infrastructure vulnerabilities across the US? What can be done in the short-term to mitigate against them? What are the long-term strategic goals for critical infrastructure protection? What needs to be done to get there?

External Courses, Short Courses, Seminars#

Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection & Resilience#

For: NATO Centers of Excellence
Audience: Military leaders, infrastructure operators, analysts
When: By Special Request Only
Length: 1 week
Number of Times Taught: 6

This course is a short-course version of OS4621 / NS4721. It develops the literacy and competencies necessary to analyze potential vulnerabilities and recommend realistic solutions for military and civilian energy infrastructure in Europe and surrounding regions. Students gain experience evaluating infrastructure vulnerability through case studies on civilian and DoD systems and a course project.

Installation Energy Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resilience#

For: Naval Facilities Command (NAVFAC) Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS)
Audience: NAVFAC Civil Engineers (Intermediate / Advanced)
When: ~4 times per year
Length: 4 hours
Number of Times Taught: 8

This seminar is a facilitated discussion on infrastructure vulnerability and resilience surrounding the Dysruption Game developed to study environmental surprise. We play a series of games involving the robustness and rebound capabilities for a simplified energy system on the island of Dystopia. The seminar teaching systems thinking from an infrastructure perspective, helps students develop strategies to find system vulnerabilities, and shows tradeoffs in their management.