COMP7310: Green Information Technology Strategies

Semester 1 2010 (22 February to 4 June)

Topic: Reduce carbon emissions and increase organisation efficiency with computers. Solving climate change has become one of the world's greatest challenges. Computers are both part of the problem and part of the solution to climate change. This course teaches students how they can reduce carbon emissions and improve organisational efficiency at the same time. Save your company money and save the planet. For more information on the course design and content e-mail Tom Worthington. Enrolled students can now access the course via the Wattle Learning Management System. Delivery: On-line with no attendance required. Students can undertake the course entirely online via the web from anywhere in the world. Available: as part of the ANU Graduate Studies Select program to anyone who wants to do just this one course on its own, where you can register online to students at other universities in Australia and around the world. as part of an ANU masters course COMP7310 is offered subject to sufficient enrolments.

For information on enrolling in this course including fees, please see enrolment information. If you have any queries concerning enrolement e-mail Debbie Pioch (phone 6125 8020).

The StudyAt entry for Course Description and Learning Outcomes and the Course Flyer provide more information.

Assessment:

Students are assessed on their contributions to the course weekly online discussion forum. One mid-semester and end of semester written assignment require the student to estimate the carbon emissions of Information and Coommunication Technologies at a real organisation and recommend how to reduce it. Students can opt to present their results at the weekly seminar to an audience from government, industry and academia. There are no examinations for the course.

Designer: Tom Worthington FACS HLM, Green Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) consultant to government and industry.

The Green Information Technology Strategies course is designed by Tom Worthington, a past President, Fellow and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Computer Society. Tom has been a consultant on computer energy use to the federal Environment Department and founded the ACS Green ICT Group. Tom was commissioned by the ACS to write the world's first globally certified green ICT course, which the ANU course is a development of.

Green ICT Frequently Asked Questions:

• Do I Have To Come To The Campus To Do The Course?

  No, the course is delivered via the web.

• How Much Work Is Required To Pass The Course?

  You need to complete the set weekly readings and other activities. You are required to participate in the weekly online forums to pass the course.

• Will I Learn How to Design Low Power Computers?

  No, this is a course for people who supervise those who do the technical work.

• I Have Seen A Three Day Course Offering Green Certification. How Is It That Your Course Takes Weeks

  This is a full, university-level course.

• Will This Be Of Use In My Work?

  Yes. The course is designed to answer questions relevant to many government, commercial and non-profit organisations, including how do we measure our carbon emissions, conform to government requirements and reduce our carbon emissions?

• Can I Have More Time For The Assignments?

  The course requires students to participate in weekly online forums and submit two written assignments. These are an essential part of learning and have fixed deadlines. Extensions will be allowed only for medical and other genuine emergencies.

• Do I Have To Sit An Exam?

  All assessment is by weekly forum discussion and assignments.

• Do I Have To Write Essays?

  The major part of the assessment is two written assignments. However, the weekly forums are designed to help the students be ready to write their assignments.

• Do I Need A Degree In Computer Science?

  The course assumes no technical knowledge of computing. If you do not have a degree, you are expected to have work experience in the ICT or similar areas. Reading and writing business reports would be a suitable background for a prospective student.