Preferences based decision-making model (PDM) for faculty course assignment problem

This paper presents a preferences based decision-making approach (PDM) to the faculty-course assignment problem that is believed to offer advantages over previous mathematical scheduling methods. A variety of criteria such as faculty preferences over the subject, student preferences and administrative preferences of the faculty over a particular subject, the faculty-research work load and faculty-teaching load are considered in developing the model. The PDM approach is solved using decision-making technique called analytic hierarchy process (AHP). AHP is a theory of measurement based on informed judgments. When measurements are known, the AHP gives them back exactly as they are in relative form. When they are not known as the case is with intangibles, they are derived from paired comparisons of the elements in response to the question of the relative dominance of one element over another with respect to the common property under consideration. When the elements are far apart, they are grouped together into homogenous groups each with a small number of elements in such a way that successive groups are close together with a pivot element from one group to an adjacent one to make possible the integration of the measurements of the two groups. A person who is familiar with the elements and with their relations makes the comparisons. This PDM was applied to a department in a major institute and real-world faculty-course assignment examples were used to illustrate the model´s potential. The course coordinators subsequently validated the PDM´s recommendations. The system demonstrates that PDM´s can be an effective tool for faculty-course scheduling. The decision support system developed can be easily implemented for the educational institutions to which outcome assessment measures are administered on a regular basis.