An Auction Method for Course Registration

Since 1981 the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (GSB) has used a computerized course registration system that allocates limited classroom and faculty resources while satisfying students' preferences among course offerings. The method a) uses a market approach (complete with clearing prices) for allocating course sections to students, b) allows students to express preferences for combinations of courses rather than for single courses, c) allows students to express preferences for courses over multiple school terms rather than just one, and d) requires no waiting in registration queues.