Timetabling Algorithms?

Phil John queries: "I'm developing a system for a University Student Union which employs 400+ student staff. Allocating shifts up till now has been a manual task keeping 1 member of staff busy for at least a day. I've been asked to implement a Web/SQL based system to get student availability (which changes each week), get shifts required and automatically allocate shifts. Now, here's the problem: how do I handle the timetabling bit? Most solutions require genetic algorithms and while I can understand and implement them (having a degree in AI and CS) I'm not going to be around after the summer and this creates problems for people maintaining my code. Cheers for any help you guys (and gals) can give me!"

Comments

Sure

[You'reAFuckingMoron]

Dear Slashdot,

I have a degree in "AI". Really. I have no reason to just make that up.

Anyhow, it turns out that I am unable to implement standard AI algorithms. I have no idea where the standard AI algorithm repositories are on the net, and I am unaware of any of the standard textbooks on the subjet. In fact, I am unable to do even the most basic library research on my own.

Should I sue the school that gave me this fucked up, worthless degree? Or are my shortcomings entirely my own fault?

Sincerely,
Phil (The Turnip Head) John