A MULTIOBJECTIVE COURSE SCHEDULING MODEL - COMBINING FACULTY PREFERENCES FOR COURSES AND TIMES

This paper formulates a multi objective zero-one course scheduling mod el. Through an optimization procedure, the model seeks to maximize fac ulty preferences to courses and times. The model seeks to assign facul ty members to courses and to allocate courses to time-blocks simultane ously. The core of the procedure is formed by a matrix, with rows divi ded into three sections indicating course priorities (first priority i n the first line, second priority in the second line, and third priori ty in the third line); and with letters indicating priorities for a sp ecific time-block (''a'' for first choice, ''b'' for second choice, an d ''c'' for third choice). The paper then describes application of the model to the Department of Statistics, College of Business and Econom ics at the United Arab Emirates University. The results of the applica tion demonstrate the model's capability to provide an assignment that satisfies departmental policies and procedures with regard to course o fferings, as well as recognizing the personal preferences of the facul ty for teaching particular courses during certain time-blocks. (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.