  I have developed a procedure utilizing a Genetic-Algorithm-based optimization
scheme to fit the observed light curves of an eclipsing binary star with a
model produced by the Wilson-Devinney code. The principal advantages of this
approach are the global search capability and the objectivity of the final
result. Although this method can be more efficient than some other comparably
global search techniques, the computational requirements of the code are still
considerable. I have applied this fitting procedure to my observations of the W
UMa type eclipsing binary BH Cassiopeiae. An analysis of V-band CCD data
obtained in 1994/95 from Steward Observatory and U- and B-band photoelectric
data obtained in 1996 from McDonald Observatory provided three complete light
curves to constrain the fit. In addition, radial velocity curves obtained in
1997 from McDonald Observatory provided a direct measurement of the system mass
ratio to restrict the search. The results of the GA-based fit are in excellent
agreement with the final orbital solution obtained with the standard
differential corrections procedure in the Wilson-Devinney code.
