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
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
Lectures in TU2.