Modelling and solving the university course timetabling problem with hybrid teaching considerations

Davison, Matthew and Kheiri, Ahmed and Zografos, K. G. (2024) Modelling and solving the university course timetabling problem with hybrid teaching considerations. Journal of Scheduling. ISSN 1094-6136

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Abstract

The university course timetabling problem is a challenging problem to solve. As universities have evolved, the features of this problem have changed. One emerging feature is hybrid teaching where classes can be taught online, in-person or a combination of both in-person and online. This work presents a multi-objective binary programming model that includes common university timetabling features, identified from the literature, as well as hybrid teaching features. A lexicographic solution method is outlined and computational experiments using benchmark data are used to demonstrate the key aspects of the model and explore trade-offs among the objectives considered. The results of these experiments demonstrate that the model can be used to find demand-driven schedules for universities that include hybrid teaching. They also show how the model could be used to inform practitioners who are involved in strategic decision-making at universities.