A tabu search approach to solve the capacitated examination timetabling in the new Faculty of Education of the University of Seville. (3rd January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yanes, Cristina; Cortés, Pablo
• Is Part Of: International journal of information and operations management education. Volume 4:Number 3/4(2011)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2012-01-03
• Subjects: timetabling -- exams -- education -- EHEA -- European Higher Education Area -- tabu search; Continuing education -- Periodicals; Information organization -- Periodicals; Operations research -- Periodicals; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; 025.00711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-2303

Abstract

Spanish university degrees have recently been adapted to the European Higher Education Area and this has meant that new teaching approaches have had to be implemented, requiring small-sized classroom groups among other aspects. This led to small classrooms and spaces adapted to this new teaching/learning approach being included in the new building design of the Faculty of Education of the University of Seville. However, old (largesized groups) and new (small-sized groups) degrees need to coexist and share the same examination rooms for a short period of time. This has made it increasingly difficult to prepare the examination timetabling. In this paper, we present a tool based on a tabu search approach that schedules the examination timetabling while providing excellent solutions compatible with hard and soft constraints in the case study for the Faculty of Education.