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Solving a University Course Timetabling Problem Based on AACSB Policies

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  • Nancy M. Arratia-Martinez

    (Department of Business Administration, Universidad de las Américas Puebla/Ex-Hacienda Santa Catarina Mártir, San Andres Cholula, Puebla 72810, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Paulina A. Avila-Torres

    (Department of Business Administration, Universidad de las Américas Puebla/Ex-Hacienda Santa Catarina Mártir, San Andres Cholula, Puebla 72810, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Juana C. Trujillo-Reyes

    (Department of Business Administration, Universidad de las Américas Puebla/Ex-Hacienda Santa Catarina Mártir, San Andres Cholula, Puebla 72810, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to solve the university course timetabling problem (UCTP) that consists of designing a schedule of the courses to be offered in one academic period based on students’ demand, faculty composition and institutional constraints considering the policies established in the standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. These standards involve faculty assignment with high level credentials that have to be fulfilled for business schools on the road to seek recognition and differentiation while providing exceptional learning. A new mathematical model for UCTP is proposed. The model allows the course-section-professor-time slot to be assigned for an academic department strategically using the faculty workload, course overload, and the fulfillment of the AACSB criteria. Further, the courses that will require new hires are classified according to the faculty qualifications stablished by AACSB. A real-world case is described and solved to show the efficiency of the proposed model. An analysis of different strategies derived from institutional policies that impacts the resulting timetabling is also presented. The results show the course overload could be a valuable strategy for helping mitigate the total of new hires needed. The proposed model allows to create the course at the same time the AACSB standards are met.

Suggested Citation

  • Nancy M. Arratia-Martinez & Paulina A. Avila-Torres & Juana C. Trujillo-Reyes, 2021. "Solving a University Course Timetabling Problem Based on AACSB Policies," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(19), pages 1-19, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:9:y:2021:i:19:p:2500-:d:650657
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Al-Yakoob, Salem M. & Sherali, Hanif D., 2006. "Mathematical programming models and algorithms for a class-faculty assignment problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 173(2), pages 488-507, September.
    2. Domenech, B & Lusa, A, 2016. "A MILP model for the teacher assignment problem considering teachers’ preferences," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 1153-1160.
    3. Moritz Mühlenthaler & Rolf Wanka, 2016. "Fairness in academic course timetabling," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 239(1), pages 171-188, April.
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