Deep Learning Chromatic and Clique Numbers of Graphs

Deep neural networks have been applied to a wide range of problems across different application domains with great success. Recently, research into combinatorial optimization problems in particular has generated much interest in the machine learning community. In this work, we develop deep learning models to predict the chromatic number and maximum clique size of graphs, both of which represent classical NP-complete combinatorial optimization problems encountered in graph theory. The neural networks are trained using the most basic representation of the graph, the adjacency matrix, as opposed to undergoing complex domain-specific feature engineering. The experimental results show that deep neural networks, and in particular convolutional neural networks, obtain strong performance on this problem.

Edge Minimizing the Student Conflict Graph

In many schools, courses are given in sections. Prior to timetabling students need to be assigned to individual sections. We give a hybrid approximation sectioning algorithm that minimizes the number of edges (potential conflicts) in the student conflict graph (SCG). We start with a greedy algorithm to obtain a starting solution and then continue with a constraint programming based algorithm (CP-SAT) that reduces the number of edges. We apply the sectioning algorithm to a highly constrained timetabling model which we specify.

Automated timetabling for small colleges and high schools using huge integer programs

We formulate an integer program to solve a highly constrained academic timetabling problem at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The IP instance that results from our real case study has approximately both 170,000 rows and columns and solves to optimality in 4--24 hours using a commercial solver on a portable computer (near optimal feasible solutions were often found in 4--12 hours). Our model is applicable to both high schools and small colleges who wish to deviate from group scheduling. We also solve a necessary preprocessing student subgrouping problem, which breaks up big groups of students into small groups so they can optimally fit into small capacity classes.