1. COURSE RECOMMENDER
 Mechanism for recommendation of choice of courses at IIT Mandi
 Choose the best combination and secure your future
 Make the right choice using Multi-attribute Decision Making

2. INTRODUCTION
Why is this a Managerial Decision Problem?
1. Deliberative Decision Making
2. Complex Decision Making
3. Important Decision Making
On the idea of which courses should you register for at the
beginning of the semester?

3. • How many courses and credit hours should you opt for?
• What electives should you choose for this semester?
• How do you fill up course baskets?
• Should you go for a minor?
• Should you consider taking an online course on audit?

4. • How many courses and credit hours should you opt for?
• What electives should you choose for this semester?
• How do you fill up course baskets?
• Should you go for a minor?
• Should you consider taking an online course on audit?

5. • What courses and how many credit hours should
you opt for in this semester?
• Go for 7 courses as everyone does (21 credits)
• Take overload courses (>21 credits)
• Go for less number of credits for this semester
• Drop the semester and go on an internship
abroad

6. • What courses and how many credit hours should you opt for in this
semester?
• Go for 7 courses as everyone does (21 credits)
• Take discipline electives for most of the slots
• Take more humanities / basic sciences electives and
finish the required basket credits as soon as possible
• Equally distribute amongst all disciplines
• Take overload courses (>21 credits)
• Go for less number of credits for this semester
• Drop the semester and go on an internship abroad

7. • What courses and how many credit hours should you opt for in this
semester?
• Go for 7 courses as everyone does (21 credits)
• Take overload courses (>21 credits)
• Take a discipline overload
• Take a basic science overload and aim for a minor
• Take an online course on audit
• Go for less number of credits for this semester
• Drop the semester and go on an internship abroad

8. • What courses and how many credit hours should you opt for in this
semester?
• Go for 7 courses as everyone does (21 credits)
• Take overload courses (>21 credits)
• Go for less number of credits for this semester
• Try to clear backlogs, if any, and enjoy life
• Work on an external project or startup
• Drop the semester and go on an internship abroad

9. • What courses and how many credit hours should you opt for in this
semester?
• Go for 7 courses as everyone does (21 credits)
• Take overload courses (>21 credits)
• Go for less number of credits for this semester
• Drop the semester and go on an internship abroad

10. Discipline
Electives
Prefer one of
Humanities / Basic
7 courses (21 Sciences
credits)
Equal
Discipline
preference
overload
Which courses? How
many credit hours? Minor
Overload courses Overload
(>21 credits)
Online / Audit
course
Clear Backlogs
Lesser credits
Project /
Go on an
Startup
internship abroad

11. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref.
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit
Lightweight Clear backlogs,
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan
ge

12. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

13. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M 
ge

14. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H 
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

15. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref.
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H 
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

16. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Feasible Choices
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

17. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline 4 7 3 7
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 8 4 6 4
Sciences
Equal Pref. 7 5 8 2
Overload (>21 Discipline 3 9 2 9
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 5 8 4 6
Audit 6 6 1 3
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 9 2 9 1
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 2 3 5 8
Abroad Internship/Exchan 1 1 7 5
ge

18. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Rank - Sum
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 4 7 3 7 21
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 8 4 6 4 22
Sciences
Equal Pref. 7 5 8 2 22
Overload (>21 Discipline 3 9 2 9 23
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 5 8 4 6 23
Audit 6 6 1 3 16
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 9 2 9 1 21
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 2 3 5 8 18
Abroad Internship/Exchan 1 1 7 5 14
ge

19. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

20. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

21. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

22. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan
ge

23. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan
ge

24. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit H M H H
Lightweight Clear backlogs,
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan
ge

25. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Rank
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a good
CGPA
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H 2
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit H M H H 1
Lightweight Clear backlogs,
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exchan
ge

26. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Best Choice
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H L
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H M
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L H 2
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H L
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H M
Audit H M H H 1
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L H
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M L
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M M
ge

27. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H 50
Audit H M H 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M 30
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M 60
ge

28. Even Swaps Trade-off adjusting rules :
• High = Medium + 25
• Low = Medium - 25

29. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H 50
Audit H M H 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M 30
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M 60
ge

30. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H 50
Audit H M H 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M 30
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M 60
ge

31. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Leaving : Quality
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a of college life
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H L H 40 15
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M M H 70 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M M L 90 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H L H 20 -5
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H L H 50 25
Audit H M H 80 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L H L 100 125
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H H M 30 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H H M 60 85
ge

32. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H H 15
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M H 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M L 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H H -5
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H H 25
Audit H H 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L L 125
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H M 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H M 85
ge

33. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H H 15
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M H 70
Sciences
Equal Pref. M L 90
Overload (>21 Discipline H H -5
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H H 25
Audit H H 80
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L L 125
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H M 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H M 85
ge

34. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Leaving :
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a Exposure
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H H 15 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M H 70 95
Sciences
Equal Pref. M L 90 75
Overload (>21 Discipline H H -5 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H H 25 50
Audit H H 80 105
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L L 125 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H M 55 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H M 85 85
ge

35. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M 95
Sciences
Equal Pref. M 75
Overload (>21 Discipline H 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H 50
Audit H 105
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H 85
ge

36. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H 40
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M 95
Sciences
Equal Pref. M 75
Overload (>21 Discipline H 20
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H 50
Audit H 105
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H 55
Abroad Internship/Exchan H 85
ge

37. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Leaving : Career
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a Opportunities
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline H 40 65
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic M 95 95
Sciences
Equal Pref. M 75 75
Overload (>21 Discipline H 20 45
credits) Overload
Minor Overload H 50 75
Audit H 105 130
Lightweight Clear backlogs, L 100 75
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup H 55 80
Abroad Internship/Exchan H 85 110
ge

38. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Best Choices
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 65
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 95
Sciences
Equal Pref. 75
Overload (>21 Discipline 45
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 75
Audit 130 1
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 75
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 80
Abroad Internship/Exchan 110 2
ge

39. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 62.5 25 75 25
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 12.5 62.5 37.5 62.5
Sciences
Equal Pref. 25 50 12.5 87.5
Overload (>21 Discipline 75 0 87.5 0
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 50 12.5 62.5 37.5
Audit 37.5 37.5 100 75
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 0 87.5 0 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 87.5 75 50 12.5
Abroad Internship/Exchan 100 100 25 50
ge

40. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Best Choices
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 62.5 25 75 25 187.5
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 12.5 62.5 37.5 62.5 175
Sciences
Equal Pref. 25 50 12.5 87.5 175
Overload (>21 Discipline 75 0 87.5 0 162.5
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 50 12.5 62.5 37.5 162.5
Audit 37.5 37.5 100 75 250
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 0 87.5 0 100 187.5
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 87.5 75 50 12.5 225
Abroad Internship/Exchan 100 100 25 50 275
ge

41. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 62.5 25 75 25
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 12.5 62.5 37.5 62.5
Sciences
Equal Pref. 25 50 12.5 87.5
Overload (>21 Discipline 75 0 87.5 0
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 50 12.5 62.5 37.5
Audit 37.5 37.5 100 75
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 0 87.5 0 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 87.5 75 50 12.5
Abroad Internship/Exchan 100 100 25 50
ge

42. The preference weights considered are :
• Chances of achieving a good CGPA ( 0.4 )
• Career Opportunities ( 0.3 )
• Exposure to one’s interests ( 0.2 )
• Quality of College life ( 0.1 )

43. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 62.5 25 75 25
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 12.5 62.5 37.5 62.5
Sciences
Equal Pref. 25 50 12.5 87.5
Overload (>21 Discipline 75 0 87.5 0
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 50 12.5 62.5 37.5
Audit 37.5 37.5 100 75
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 0 87.5 0 100
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 87.5 75 50 12.5
Abroad Internship/Exchan 100 100 25 50
ge

44. ALTERNATIVES ATTRIBUTES Career Quality of Exposure to Chances of Best Choices
Opportunities college life one’s interests achieving a
good CGPA
7 courses Discipline 62.5 25 75 25 46.25
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Basic 12.5 62.5 37.5 62.5 42.5
Sciences
Equal Pref. 25 50 12.5 87.5 50
Overload (>21 Discipline 75 0 87.5 0 40
credits) Overload
Minor Overload 50 12.5 62.5 37.5 30.25
Audit 37.5 37.5 100 75 65
Lightweight Clear backlogs, 0 87.5 0 100 48.75
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup 87.5 75 50 12.5 48.75
Abroad Internship/Exchan 100 100 25 50 65
ge

45. Rule 1 Rule 2 Rule 3 Rule 4 Rule 5 Rule 6
7 courses Discipline
(21credits) Electives
Humanities/Bas
ic Sciences
Equal Pref.
Overload (>21 Discipline
credits) Overload
Minor Overload
Audit
Lightweight Clear backlogs,
Semester Enjoy life
Project, Startup
Abroad Internship/Exch
ange

46. CONCLUSION
Multi-attribute Decision Making methods clearly report that
taking an overloaded semester with an online course on audit ,
is apparently the best choice when faced with a decision on
choosing courses.
The decision optimally takes care of one’s preferred attributes
of CGPA, Career, Exposure and Quality of life.