ELEC-D7020 - Elements of Sustainable ICT, Lecture, 9.1.2024-9.4.2024

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to give an overview and introduction to the ICT ecosystem and how it tackles, or harms, a sustainable future. All technologies have a handprint (the positive effects) and a footprint (negative effects). As the world is working towards a more sustainable future, ICT is at the heart of the development, and provides many positive solutions (handprint.) Yet, at the same time, ICT consumes increasing amounts of energy and natural resources, and causes a major footprint on the world as a whole.
The goal of the course is to raise awareness of the impact of ICT and in particular the hidden footprint.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 09.01.2024 - 09.04.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jukka Manner

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Prof. Jukka Manner (jukka.manner@aalto.fi)

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course will discuss topics, such as (to be defined later in more detail):
    - Overview of the ICT ecosystem and sources of the footprint
    - The handprint of ICT
    - ICTs use of energy
    - Basics of energy generation, a comparison of technologies (to give an idea about the differences of energy sources, from coal and gas, to nuclear and renewables)
    - Energy reuse in ICT
    - The use of natural resources in ICT
    - Green data centers
    - Green software
    - AI and it’s impact on sustainability
    - Green services
    - Towards greener cellular communications
    - Consumer choices towards a greener future

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    assignments, participation in lectures.

  • applies in this implementation

    The course has a weekly presentation by either course staff or another expert.

    Every week, there are reading assignments and/or videos and multiple choice questions to answer for each.

    No final exam is held (old information that is now impossible to change in the system).


    Grading is based on lecture attendance and the weekly assignments.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    contact teaching, self learning

  • applies in this implementation

    There is a 2-hour weekly lecture and self learning from scientific publications, technical reports and videos.

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Papers, reports, lecture slides.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

  • applies in this implementation

    Lectures in TU2.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof