LV EN RU DE FR

Computational Sustainability

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Citi1015, Fundamentals of Sustainable Development

Mate2010, Discrete Mathematics

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to give insights into tasks and solutions in multidisciplinary computation. Computational Sustainability course introduces computational models, methods and tools to support various disciplines in decision support and development of more effective policies for sustainable development. In this course students will identify common problems and computational solutions that can provide support solving climate change, society sustainability, environment, urban design, transportation logistics and preservation of biodiversity. Course introduces solutions that include analysis of interdisciplinary systems design, machine learning, optimization, statistical modelling and certain data mining methods.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knows about computational models, methods and tools for decision support for solving various interdisciplinary issues – assessment with practical assignments and test.
Have skills to analyse interdisciplinary field and find solutions using information technologies – assessment with practical assignments.
Aquire competences to individually analyse data and find reasoned information technology solution – assessment with reaction paper.

Course Content(Calendar)

Course plan
Introduction:
1.Computation sustainability as interdisciplinary field for problem solutions (1h lectures).
2.Ecosystems concept and services. Ecosystems services quantification and evaluation (2 lectures, 2h practicals).
Module: human
3.Human-computer interaction. Computer systems and device management interfaces. Human-computer interaction strategy development for various systems (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
4.Information technologies and systems accessibility. User groups and technology accessibility. Accessibility guidelines for people with disabilities. Information system accessibility standards (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
5.Cross-cultural systems development. Globalisation and localisation strategies. Methods for cross-cultural systems development. Culture marker and dimension models (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
Module: nature
6.Biological diversity evaluation and plan development. Biological diversity components. Population dynamic models and impact on biological diversity. Methods for evaluation of biological diversity and tools for planning diversity preservation and development (1h lectures, 1h practicals)..
7.Biological and social object life span analysis and estimations. Methods for life span analysis. Life span analysis and estimation application in real cases (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
8.Climate change models. Quantitative methods for simulation of climate changes, based on climate impact factors, including atmosphere layer, ocean development, land surface and ice melting dynamics (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
Module: environment and infrastructure
9.Computation solutions for building energy efficiency (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
10.Smart transportation and transport logistics solutions and challenges. Computational technologies for transportation flow monitoring in cities (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
Module: interdisciplinary information systems development
11.Agriculture, forestry and environment information management. Management system tasks and structure (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
12.Precision technology platforms. Components of precision technologies. Tendencies in development of precision technologies (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
13.Precision systems for agriculture and forestry. Precision field cultivation, animal husbandry and beekeeping solutions. Precision forestry solutions (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
Module: development of computation technologies
14.Computational technology development estimates. Information and communication technology innovation, patents and applications. Presentation of reaction paper (1h lectures, 1h practicals).
15.Application and impact measurement of technologies. Technological innovation application for interdisciplinary solutions. Presentation of reaction paper (1h lectures, 1h practicals).

Requirements for awarding credit points

To receive credit point’s students require to successfully develop and present reaction paper, pass test and develop 5 practical assignments.
Test: variety of computing solutions.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Reaction paper includes analysis of certain sustainability development issues with presentation of possible solutions and support tools for solution development. Paper presentation is included during final lectures and practicals.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Course assessment is calculated as an average score from reaction paper, test and practical assignments.
Course assesment are aquired with one reaction paper. When writing reaction paper students analyse particular problem and argue about possible solutions using computation technologies.
For every successfully developed (passed) practical assignment students receive 2 points which at the end allow acquiring 10 points.

Compulsory reading

Dastbaz, M., Pattinson, C., Akhgar B. Green Information Technology: A Sustainable Approach, Morgan Kaufmann; 1st edition, 2015, 348p.
Thiele L.P. Sustainability. Key Concepts. – Polity Press, 2016. 256 p.
Artificial Intelligence for Computational Sustainability: A Lab Companion, Available: https://ej.uz/comp_sust
Hofstede G., Hofstede G.J., Minkov M. Cultures and Orgaizations Software of the Mind. McGrawHill. 2010, 549p. Piejama Datoru Sistēmas Katedras bibliotēkā (Available in library of Department of Computer Systems)
Sun H. Global Social Media Design. Oxford Press. 2020. 272p. Piejama Datoru Sistēmas Katedras bibliotēkā (Available in library of Department of Computer Systems)
Long J. Approaches and Frameworks for HCI Research. Cambridge University Press. 2021. 282p. Piejama Datoru Sistēmas Katedras bibliotēkā (Available in library of Department of Computer Systems)

Further reading

Oliver M. Precision agriculture for sustainability and environmental protection. – 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.-283 p.
CompSust zinātniskās konferences raksti (articles from CompSust conference): http://www.compsust.net/

Notes

Bachelor (undergraduate) level study program “Information Technologies for Sustainable Development”