Complex university course timetabling

This paper summarizes the work done to solve a complex course timetabling problem at a large university and provides new insights into the overall timetabling process. The first step in the successful solution of this problem was to define a course structure model that allowed application of classical course timetabling methods. Several methods were necessary to solve the complete problem. First, support procedures were needed to detect and correct an infeasible problem where hard constraints were being violated. The resulting timetabling problem was then solved via a search for a complete assignment of times and rooms to classes, taking all hard and soft constraints into account. Methods were also developed for modifying a computed solution in response to changes introduced at a later time while having a minimal impact on existing assignments.