Journals / Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3

Graph-Based Course Scheduling Using the Malatya Vertex Coloring Algorithm for Constraint Optimization

Kısıt Optimizasyonu için Malatya Vertex Coloring Algoritması Kullanılarak Graf Tabanlı Ders Çizelgeleme

Cezayir Karaca(İNÖNÜ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0007-9250-2612
Selman Yakut(İNÖNÜ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-0649-1993
Pages
46–56
Publication Date
2025-09-26
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The MVC Algorithm stands out with its predictability of procedural steps and its potential to operate in polynomial time, thus offering an effective alternative to classical and heuristic methods proposed in the literature.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:The course timetabling problem is a significant combinatorial optimization problem that has attracted the attention of researchers since the second half of the 20th century.
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Key Findings & Data:The algorithm operates in two main steps: first, the Malatya Centrality(MC) values of the nodes in the timetable graph are calculated; then, the node with the highest centrality is selected and labeled with an appropriate color.
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Conclusion & Impact:The MVC Algorithm stands out with its predictability of procedural steps and its potential to operate in polynomial time, thus offering an effective alternative to classical and heuristic methods proposed in the literature.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Course Scheduling · Centrality · Malatya Coloring

Abstract

The course timetabling problem is a significant combinatorial optimization problem that has attracted the attention of researchers since the second half of the 20th century. Traditionally managed through manual methods, the scheduling process is time-consuming, challenging, and prone to errors. Therefore, with technological advancements, various algorithms have been developed to offer more efficient and faster solutions. In this study, the "MVC Algorithm" is applied to the course timetabling problem. The algorithm operates in two main steps: first, the Malatya Centrality(MC) values of the nodes in the timetable graph are calculated; then, the node with the highest centrality is selected and labeled with an appropriate color. Throughout the process, the main objective is to minimize course conflicts and to generate a valid timetable that complies with defined constraints. The MVC Algorithm stands out with its predictability of procedural steps and its potential to operate in polynomial time, thus offering an effective alternative to classical and heuristic methods proposed in the literature.

Özet

Ders çizelgeleme problemi, 20. yüzyılın ikinci yarısından itibaren araştırmacıların dikkatini çeken önemli bir kombinatoryal optimizasyon problemidir. Geleneksel olarak manuel yöntemlerle yürütülen çizelgeleme süreci, zaman alıcı ve zorlayıcı olmakla birlikte hata yapmaya açık bir yapıdadır. Bu nedenle, teknolojik ilerlemelerle birlikte çeşitli algoritmalar geliştirilerek daha etkili ve hızlı çözümler sunulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu çalışmada, "Malatya Vertex Coloring(MVC) Algoritması" ders çizelgeleme problemine uygulanmaktadır. Algoritma, iki temel adımda çalışmaktadır: ilk olarak, çizelge grafındaki düğümlerin Malatya Merkezilik değerleri hesaplanmakta; ardından en yüksek merkeziliğe sahip düğüm seçilerek uygun bir renkle etiketlenmektedir. Süreç boyunca temel hedef, ders çakışmalarını en aza indirmek ve tanımlı kısıtlamalara uyumlu, geçerli bir çizelge üretmektir. MVC Algoritması, işlem adımlarının öngörülebilirliği ve polinom zamanda çalışabilme potansiyeliyle dikkat çekmekte, bu yönüyle literatürde önerilen klasik ve sezgisel yöntemlere etkili bir alternatif sunmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Karaca, C., Yakut, S. (2025). Graph-Based Course Scheduling Using the Malatya Vertex Coloring Algorithm for Constraint Optimization. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3, 46–56. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1629184

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