Research on solution to course scheduling problems based on a hierarchical planning strategy

Course scheduling is a typical combinatorial optimization problem. One of the most important tasks of course scheduling is considering multiple constraints, such as conflict in teaching hours, meeting instructor preferences, and the continuity of teaching hours, etc. In this study, a hierarchical planning strategy in operations research is applied to an automatic course scheduling system to produce course timetables, of which the procedure is divided into three steps. Firstly, bind the elements that have mapping relationship and take into account the students´ and instructors´ conflict for a selected course. Secondly, classroom conflict and taboos are considered for a certain room. Finally, generate course arrangement records based on the result of the first two steps. It is shown in the experimental result that the automatic course scheduling system proposed in this paper not only enhances the course scheduling efficiency, but also increases students´ and instructors´ satisfaction.