Engineering specialization recommendation model based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process

Abstract

Engineering is a widespread subject with a broad range of specializations to choose from, that it sometimes becomes hard to decide which specialization to undertake in one’s major degree. For this reason, many students will have a difficult time selecting which specialization is suitable for them. The choice they make prior to undertaking their degree is one of grave importance as it will be the basis for either their success or failure in their years of studying at the faculty of engineering. Not only this, but it also dictates if these students will land reasonable jobs and make progress in their careers or not. Currently, many factors affect a student’s decision for choosing his specialization. These factors include: family, past instructors, past experiences, passion, salary and recent employers. In this paper, we proposed an engineering specialization recommendation process by using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). FAHP has been proposed to help and guide students find the most suitable engineering specialization for them. The proposed recommendation process will be based on two factors. The first factor is the dependency of specialization courses on engineering fundamentals taught in the first year of engineering. The second is the dependency of a fundamental course on the student’s grade in said course.