What is optimization?

Optimization is the act of selecting the best possible option to solve a mathematical problem when choosing from a set of variables. The concept of optimization has existed in mathematics for centuries, but in more recent times, scientists have discovered that other scientific disciplines have common elements, so the idea of optimization has carried over into other areas of study from engineering to economics to physics to biology. Optimization seeks to discover the maximum or minimum of a function to best solve a problem. It involves variables, constraints, and the objective function, or the goal that drives the solution to the problem. For example, in physics, an optimization problem might seek to discover the minimum amount of energy needed to achieve a certain objective. The advent of sophisticated computers has allowed mathematicians to achieve optimization more accurately across a wide range of functions and problems.

Why learn optimization?

Optimization helps data scientists and computer systems process data more effectively, estimate how many resources it will take to solve a problem, and search for the best solution based on the data available. These features make optimization a key tool that can help those who collect and analyze data. The methods of optimization work hand in hand with statistics and linear algebra to help you understand and process large amounts of data. Solving complex problems that rely on data becomes much easier when you apply the methods and formulas of optimization to them, which makes it essential for machine learning. In fact, today's computer science relies heavily on the relationship between machine learning and optimization. The principles of optimization apply in a different way in business, because nearly every business decision centers on maximizing or minimizing various factors and outcomes.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn optimization?

When you study optimization with online courses on Coursera, you can gain a broad base of knowledge as well as applications that allow you to put what you learn into practice. Beginning courses include those in which you learn the basics of optimization, whereas more advanced courses go deeper into topics like stochastic processes, machine learning through specific applications, or how to estimate financial models.

What are the benefits of taking an online Optimization course?

Online Optimization courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Optimization skills. Choose from a wide range of Optimization courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Optimization courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Optimization, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Optimization Courses - Learn Optimization Online

Explore the Optimization Course Catalog

The University of Melbourne
Discrete Optimization
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Combinatorics, Applied Mathematics, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Mathematical Modeling, Computational Thinking, Linear Algebra, Computational Logic, Computer Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
777 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
Operations Research (1): Models and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Business Modeling, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Production Planning, Inventory Management System, Microsoft Excel, Scheduling, Linear Algebra
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
541 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
Operations Research (2): Optimization Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Linear Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Algorithms, Process Optimization, Engineering Calculations, Program Implementation, Mathematical Software, Computational Thinking, Operational Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Decision Making, Calculus
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
149 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Skills you'll gain: Keyword Research, Search Engine Optimization, Web Analytics and SEO, Content Creation, Social Media Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Target Audience, Client Services, Content Marketing, Peer Review, Social Media Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Google Analytics, Presentations, Marketing, Forecasting, Digital Marketing, Expectation Management, Content Strategy, User Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Improving Deep Neural Networks: Hyperparameter Tuning, Regularization and Optimization
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Performance Tuning, Artificial Neural Networks, Machine Learning Algorithms, Analysis, Debugging
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
63K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Portfolio Optimization using Markowitz Model
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Finance, Financial Modeling, Correlation Analysis, Investment Management, Risk Modeling, Equities, Probability & Statistics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
318 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with Squarespace
Skills you'll gain: Blogs, Content Management Systems, Search Engine Optimization, Web Analytics and SEO, Keyword Research, Web Content
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Stanford University
Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Bioinformatics, Theoretical Computer Science, Network Model, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Analysis, Programming Principles, Probability & Statistics, Network Routing, Probability, Operations Research, Design Strategies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The University of Melbourne
Basic Modeling for Discrete Optimization
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Decision Support Systems, Computational Thinking, Network Model, Data Modeling, Data Structures
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
451 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Python Development
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Structures, Git (Version Control System), Generative AI, Version Control, Matplotlib, Plotly, DevOps, Agile Methodology, Web Development, Data Ethics, Flask (Web Framework), Scripting, GitHub, Debugging, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Restful API, Docker (Software), Test Driven Development (TDD)
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
214 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Design of Experiments
Skills you'll gain: Experimentation, Sample Size Determination, Research Design, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Modeling, Design Strategies, Probability & Statistics, Data Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Data Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Variance Analysis, Quality Control
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
360 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Theoretical Computer Science, Algorithms, Data Structures, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Computational Logic, Computer Science, Advanced Mathematics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Program Development, Analysis, Design Strategies, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
221 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks