CIT Teaching & Learning Unit

Project Description

A Holistic Approach to University Timetabling

Project Lead

Dr Diarmuid Grimes (diarmuid.grimes@mtu.ie)

Project Status

• In Progress

Project Lead Home Department

• MTU Cork - Science and Informatics - Computer Science

Alignment to HEA and NFETLHE SATLE 2023-24 Themes

• Digital Transformation in the Tertiary Sector

Alignment to MTU Strategy Themes

• Learner Education & Experience
• People & Community
• Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Project Description

This project focuses on expanding the work done in the previous SATLE project “A Student-Centric Timetable Assistant Tool”, which focused on timetabling for the main MTU Cork campus (Bishopstown). This project considers a number of other timetabling aspects for MTU (Cork School of Music, Exam Timetabling) as well as additional functionality for the developed tool with associated scenario investigation arising out of the student feedback in the previous project.

The key focus areas are as follows:

Cork School of Music (CSM)

• Addressing the differences in timetabling software, student needs, resource allocation, and the granularity of lecture durations and start times (5-minute intervals).

Exam Timetabling

• Incorporation of three key components: general exam timetabling, allocation of exam invigilators (with potential adjustments to the general timetable), and timetabling of students requiring Disability Support Services (DSS).
• Inclusion of preferences for specific invigilators working with certain student groups (e.g., DSS students).
• Exploration of the possibility of allocating exam rooms consistently for students across multiple years.

Bishopstown Campus

• Extension to include a simulation module for assessing the impact of potential infrastructure changes on the existing timetable.
• Investigation of a scenario to address the issue of peak transport demand, particularly in the morning, as highlighted by student feedback.
• Exploration of extending the existing timetabling tool to incorporate energy usage considerations. Focus on optimising timetabling during off-peak periods (evening and weekend courses) to consolidate classes in a smaller subset of campus buildings, thereby reducing energy consumption for HVAC, lighting, and other facilities.

What is the anticipated impact of this project?

The anticipated impact of this project is far-reaching, benefiting students, staff, and the broader higher education community, while also contributing to more sustainable campus operations. By developing a versatile timetabling tool and engaging in collaborative knowledge sharing, the project aims to enhance the overall efficiency and well-being of all stakeholders involved.

This project will benefit:

Students and Staff of MTU

• It will produce improved timetables resulting in a better learning experience for students and a more engaged teaching experience for staff
• It will provide for better allocation of resources, benefiting Heads of Departments, timetable coordinators, and university management
• It will reduce stress and improve well-being for students during exam periods due to enhanced exam timetabling.

Other Higher Education Institutions

• Through the organisation of workshops, the project will provide a forum for crowdsourcing timetabling issues and solutions across HEIs in Ireland.
• Dissemination of the project's work will help improve the timetabling experience across the Irish higher education sector.

Environmental Impact

• It may potentially reduce MTU's contribution to energy consumption by optimising timetabling to minimise the impact of transportation and the use of campus facilities.

HOW Will the outputs of this project be DISSEMINATED?

The project's findings and solutions will be disseminated through a number of output types to contribute to the improvement of timetabling practices within MTU and across the national/international higher education landscape.

The outputs will be disseminated as follows:

Software Tool and User Instructions

• The project will deliver a comprehensive timetabling software tool, along with detailed user documentation and instructions to ensure effective implementation and utilisation within MTU.
• In-depth analysis of the usage of the tool, including the simulation of different timetabling scenarios.

Workshop Demonstration

• The project team will organise a workshop event to demonstrate the capabilities of the timetabling tool to interested stakeholders, including Heads of Departments, timetable coordinators, and other key users within MTU.

Dissemination to MTU Stakeholders and External Partners

• The project findings and the developed timetabling tool will be disseminated to the wider MTU community, including students, faculty, and administrative staff, to ensure broad awareness and uptake of the solution. 
• In addition, the project team will engage with other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Ingenium partners to share the outcomes and facilitate knowledge exchange across the national and international higher education sector.

Conference and Journal Publications

• The project team will author and submit research papers to relevant academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals, showcasing the methodologies, scenarios tested, and the outcomes of the project. 
• These publications will contribute to the broader academic discourse on timetabling challenges and solutions within the higher education context, fostering collaboration and further advancements in the field.

Team Members

The project will be carried out by the following 3 team members: