CO 650Combinatorial Optimization
- Units
- 0.50
- Level
- Graduate
- Faculty
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Characterizations of optimalsolutions and efficient algorithms for optimization problems over discrete structures. Topics include network flows, optimal matchings, T-joins and postman tours, matroid optimization.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6043 | 12 / 30 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
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Discussed on r/uwaterloo
6 posts and comments in 5 threads mention CO 650, October 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2019
CO 450/650 (Combinatorial Optimization) with Chaitanya Swamy? 7 points, 2 comments
u/AllenHW: “Do people have ideas about either the course (Combinatorial Optimization) or the instructor (Chaitanya Swamy)?https://uwflow.com/course/co450 Difficulty level, relative to other 400-level courses, style of the prof, etc. Thanks!”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… CO 330 CO 342 CO 351 CO 367 CO 370 CO 372 CO 442 CO 450 CO 456 CO 485 CO 499 CO 602 CO 642 CO 650 CO 681 CO 685 CO 739 CO 749 CO 750 CO 789 COGSCI 300 COGSCI 600 COMM 231 COMM 421 COMM 431 COMM 433 COOP 1 COOP 10 COOP 12 COOP 1G COOP 2 COOP 2G COOP 3 COOP 4 COOP 5 COOP 6 COOP …”
Spring 2015
What are the textbooks used in graduate CO courses? 1 point, 2 comments
u/shingeku: “I tried looking but can't find any information for the official textbooks currently being used in CO 642 (Graph Theory), CO 650 (Combinatorial Optimization) and CO 666 (Continuous Optimization)?”
u/maaaath: “It varies by term/professor. A common/standard choice of textbook for CO 650 is "Combinatorial Optimization" (http://www.amazon.com/Combinatorial-Optimization-William-J-Cook/dp/047155894X)”
CS/math graduate-level courses 3 points, 7 comments
“I'm starting a CS master's program in September, and I'm trying to figure out which courses to register in. I asked my supervisor, and the only one he suggested I take is offered in the winter term. …”
u/maaaath: “… If you're already familiar with linear programming/optimization, I recommend any of CO 650, 652, 663, and 671 (afaik, 663 and 650 are the only ones offered in fall). …”
Fall 2011
Any tips for getting involved in research / generally planning for grad school applications? (C&O) 3 points, 5 comments
“I've been told that you can talk to your professors to see if they, or anyone they know, need a research assistant, and that this can be very helpful when it comes to being accepted into graduate …”
u/JodoYodo: “Heyo I'm a C&O Masters student, I'll chime in a bit on this. I started networking with profs around my 2nd year, not in a really deep sense but just getting to know them. …”
u/JodoYodo: “I'll be honest, I wouldn't count on it unless you've taken a lot of cross-listed grad courses like CO 452/652 or CO 450/650 and done okay in them. If you've just been taking regular undergrad courses and your average is below 80, your chances aren't great. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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