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University-level course scheduling is basically a multiple
constraint satisfaction problem. It needs to rely on a
preceding process to get a feasible solution satisfactory to
almost all constraints and on a nogotiation process to achieve
a all- satisfying solution. Researches in autometed course
scheduling proposed various algorithms, empirical rules and
reasoning thods. Proposals were differentiated by computation
time and memory space usage, but they were not guaranteed to
succeed in finding a solution. The final stage in course
scheduling is achieved by negotiation, precisely, a group
decision process. This research proposes a course-specific
group decision support system to ease the inherent negotiation
activities required for the course scheduling issues. A course-
specific group decision support system needs some major
functions as information query, group negotiation, course
adjustment, course scheduling, explanation, constraint
relaxation and system help. A prototype system under this
general architecture has been developed, tested and evaluated.
The testing and the evaluation of the system has gained
positive public opinions.
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