AMPL for Teaching
We make it simple for you to teach mathematical optimization.
Teaching with AMPL for Courses
AMPL is dedicated to bringing mathematical optimization to the next generation of modelers and developers. AMPL has a long history of popularity for classroom use. Its combination of power and naturalness is unmatched for getting students up to speed quickly in formulating and solving nontrivial optimization models.
We make it simple to teach with our easily distributed AMPL and solver licenses for students and teachers.
Free bundle of AMPL and commercial solvers
AMPL for Courses is a free bundle of full-featured AMPL with no limitations on problem size, and a selection of popular commercial and open source solvers.
Easy to obtain
Contact us, or fill in a short request form through the license portal to receive your free bundle for courses.
Easy to distribute bundles
AMPL and solvers are provided in a single compressed download for each platform. Packages are easily installed on any computers used in conjunction with the course, including personal computers of professors, teaching assistants, and students.
Teaching support and materials
We provide assistance to the course instructor, with support for the students to be provided through the course.
The AMPL book provides a detailed introductory tutorial plus tutorial introductions to all basic and advanced features.
Sample models
Numerous examples are available including all models and data from the AMPL book as well as a variety of scripts for common iterative schemes.
Built-in timeout
The license and products stop working on a built-in timeout after the course ends.
Use across multiple courses
AMPL teaching licenses are used both to teach optimization and to include optimization in the teaching of other subjects. Topics of optimization classes that used AMPL for Courses included:
- Linear Programming
- Linear & Nonlinear Optimization
- Combinatorial Optimization
- Deterministic Operations Research
- Network Optimization
- Graph Optimization
- Optimal Control
Teach optimization in multiple domains
A particularly great variety of subjects used AMPL for Courses to introduce optimization into the teaching of other subjects. The following are a representative sample:
- Manufacturing systems
- Operations research
- Supply chain management
- Public transportation operations
- Econometrics
- Finance
- Environmental engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Communications networks
- Scheduling
You choose your solvers
Teachers decide which solvers to include in the course packages. Choose from the complete lineup of commercial and open source solvers that we currently distribute.
No, the request must be made by an instructor responsible for a listed course. Master copies of the AMPL + Solvers Bundles are provided for download by the instructor or by another responsible person whom the instructor designates. Then the instructor arranges for distribution of the bundles to the course’s students.
Our arrangements with the solver vendors allow for courses that are the length of an average academic term, up to about 6 months. We can extend this period somewhat to allow time for course preparation. However for a year-long course, two semiannual requests should be made.
Yes, the AMPL + solver bundles are generated separately for each course, with course identifying information in the version string and a timeout about two weeks after the course end date indicated on the request.
This program can provide AMPL + solvers for use in listed student project courses, on request from a responsible instructor. It is not available however for unsupervised student projects, multi-term project work, or support of PhD studies; for these purposes we recommend purchase at highly-discounted academic prices, or use of the free NEOS Server.
More ways to use AMPL
Community Edition
Get free access to a full-featured AMPL license and open-source solvers, with no limitations on size of problem and your AMPL license never expires. Optionally add 30-day trials of powerful solvers that we sell.
Demo Version
Download a free bundle of AMPL and all solvers with a size limit on variables and constraints to get started quickly, without commitment on testing AMPL products.
NEOS Server
NEOS is an online service providing free access to over 30 solvers that work with AMPL. Many NEOS solvers are conveniently accessed directly from an AMPL session, by use of Kestrel, a special solver-like application that we provide. Alternatively, AMPL model and data files can be uploaded through the NEOS website, with results returned by email.
Get started with AMPL for Courses
Create a profile in the License Portal and fill in a simple request form. You will receive an email reply giving complete download and installation instructions.
Get in touch, we can help.
For more information about this program, write to licensing@ampl.com.
Started for free
See also our summary of other programs including free, never expiring licenses and full trials of AMPL and solvers.