The algorithm only schedules lessons of the selected department. All other lessons remain unaffected, i.e. periods not scheduled remain unscheduled and periods scheduled for other departments are not changed in any way.
Example of departmental optimisation
In the following example the ‘a’ classes (yellow) are assigned to the mechanical engineering department, the ‘b’ classes (green) to t he electrical engineering department and the ‘c’ classes (red) to the structural engineering department.

The starting point is an empty timetable. In the first figure on the left optimisation has been performed for the electrical engineering department. Accordingly, only the lessons of those classes belonging to the electrical engineering department are scheduled. In our example this is class 2b.

In the centre timetable further optimisation has been performed with the selection of the mechanical engineering department. The periods of the department first scheduled are not affected by this. Please note that the ‘LÜK’ lesson Tu-5 that is assigned to the ME department through the first coupling class 2a has also been scheduled in this step.
In the final timetable the remaining periods have been scheduled by selecting the SE department. The periods of the other departments already set have again not been changed.