EvoWebReg: Web-based course registration and optimization of student personal schedules with Evolutionary Algorithms

Abstract

This article presents a complete course registration system through the web (EvoWebReg). The system consists of three parts. The first one is a web application which allows the students to submit their course preferences to the system's database, through Internet. The second part is an administrative tool which controls the whole system and allows its smooth operation, and the third part is an evolutionary algorithm which is responsible for the optimization of the student course schedules according to their submitted preferences, and taking into consideration the constraints imposed by the department. The results of the experimental tests of the evolutionary algorithm prove that our initial objectives to provide an open generic and effective tool, which can satisfactory implement the course registration procedure, were achieved. The proposed system is quite general and can be easily adapted to incorporate the needs of other departments.