ETF2480 Optimisation for business
Faculty of Business and Economics
ETF2480 Optimisation for business is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It needs ETF1100, STA1010, ETW1001, ETX1100, ETB1100, FIT1006, ETC1000 or SCI1020 and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before ETF2480
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
- ETF1100Business statisticsNo reviews yet
- STA1010Statistical methods for scienceNo reviews yet
- ETW1001Introduction to statistical analysisNo reviews yet
- ETX1100Business statisticsNo reviews yet
- ETB1100Business statisticsNo reviews yet
- FIT1006Business information analysisNo reviews yet
- ETC1000Business and economic statisticsNo reviews yet
- SCI1020Introduction to statistical reasoningNo reviews yet
After ETF2480
2 units list ETF2480 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
The ability to understand and mathematically formulate decision problems is a fundamental skill for managers in any organisation. This unit serves as an introduction to various optimisation techniques that are essential in business operations. You will learn to approach complex real-life problems, formulate appropriate models and compute solutions that offer managerial insights in various applications such as capacity planning, production management, and resource allocation. Methods include linear programming, integer programming and non-linear programming. Applications in management, marketing, accounting, finance and related fields are emphasised.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Artefact30%
- Quiz / Test20%
- Examination50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
select the appropriate basic optimisation models according to the business context
- 2
formulate the optimisation problem for management decision making
- 3
identify the potential limitations of the models and suggest creative solutions to overcome model weaknesses
- 4
provide interpretations and managerial insights according to the solution of the optimisation problem
- 5
implement and solve the optimisation model using scalable software.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars24 hours
- Workshops12 hours
- Tutorials12 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Technology resources
There may be an additional cost associated with purchasing a physical and/or virtual calculator. Specific details will be provided in the Learning Management System by commencement of Orientation week.
Where it fits
ETF2480 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Jessica Leung
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ETF2480?
You need ETF1100, STA1010, ETW1001, ETX1100, ETB1100, FIT1006, ETC1000 or SCI1020 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after ETF2480?
ETF2480 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including ETF3480 and ETF5480.
When is ETF2480 offered?
In 2025, ETF2480 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.
How much work is ETF2480?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ETF2480 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ETF2480?
ETF2480 is part of Business analytics and statistics.