Multi-Site Timetabling

Timetable construction in Universities is a moving target. De Werra [1] indicates that educational methods are driving changes in models and software applications, helping or constructing timetables. In this article we present a new timetable model which came from a new program in one Faculty at the Université de Sherbrooke. The basic difference of this new program compared with other instances of timetabling constructions in the University is that the courses in a term are taught at different sites instead of only one. In the case of one site all rooms are located in a single building, whereas in this new department the courses take place in three different sites. These sites are located in three cities (the longest distance between two sites being about 150 km). Some professors can teach at one site, some others can teach at two sites. For the moment nobody teaches at the three sites, but it could change, which means that the algorithm and the program must handle this possibility. One last special constraint is that in two sites there is one teleconference room, which means that in some cases a professor can give a lecture in both sites at the same time. This implies that the lecture can be taught to two sections at the same time. The article is organized as follows: First we introduce the current model for courses timetabling, then we show the new model to make clear where the differences are. Next, we present the steps that we follow to integrate the functionality of multi-site problem. After that we present how DIAMANT was modified to take into account the new data and the new algorithm, followed with a discussion of the experience. We end with a conclusion.