Scheduling Online Advertisements Using Information Retrieval and Neural Network/genetic Algorithm Based Metaheuristics

This document is dedicated to my entire family, but especially to Amanda, Conner, mom and pawpaw. Amanda and Conner provided me with the necessary strength, determination and never ending support and were my inspiration in pursuing and finishing my PhD. Mom and pawpaw are, without a doubt, the two most influential people in my life. For good and for bad, everything that I am is as a result of my never ending effort to model myself after these two amazing people. Pawpaw was the kindest and most sincere person that I have ever met and although he's in a better place now, I still think of him every day. My mother is the strongest and hardest working person that I know and without her many sacrifices, my life could have been completely different and I would never have had the opportunity to achieve this goal. Thank you! iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to especially thank my wife Amanda for supporting and putting up with me throughout this process. I know that it was not easy. I would also like to thank our families for their never ending support throughout this very challenging endeavor. In addition, I would like to thank my dissertation committee and the DIS department staff for their support and guidance. In particular I would like to thank and acknowledge my advisor, Anurag Agarwal, and my co-chair, Praveen Pathak, for their countless hours of training and support. I couldn't have done it without you!! v TABLE OF CONTENTS