Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Thorsten Staake

Contents:
The course covers the design and application of Information Systems that help increase energy efficiency
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is directed to computer science and Information Systems
students that want to apply their skills to challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, production, and
sustainable consumption/consumer behavior.
The course introduces methods and theories from behavioral economics, operations management, and
simulation analysis that help to understand, analyze, and shape both, industry processes and consumer
behavior in the field of sustainability. Also covered are cost/benefit considerations on a micro- and macrolevel
(including, for example, rebound effects) and a discussion on the economic and societal implications
of the subject matter.
The course includes an introduction to physics and energy engineering to allow students with very limited
knowledge in these fields to participate successfully.

Learning outcomes:
Successful participants of this course shall acquire the skills to
• explain the physical and technical principals covered in this course and apply them to new problems,
• explain the components, influencing factors, requirements and challenges related to electric
mobility and describe the contribution that Information Systems can make to solve the challenges;
moreover, successful participants shall be able to set up data-based simulations to derive important
characteristic variables related to electric vehicles, such as electric reachability, peak loads to electric
grids, etc.,
• outline, assess, and conceptually model the potential of Information Systems and the effects to
heating and room climate applications,
• explain in detail the characteristics of and implications from environmental business Information
Systems,
• explain the discussed behavioral theories (e.g., the prospect theory), make use of them when
building Information Systems that support decision making and behavioral change, and be able to
evaluate the effectiveness of such systems, and
• evaluate the effects of the tools and methods introduced, including their micro- and macro-economic
effects, and critically assess the techniques used to perform such evaluations.
Moreover, successful participants shall be able to apply the acquired skills to new challenges and adjust
and extend them as needed.
Finally, the participants shall realize the scope for design and the potential that results from their IT studies
to favorably shape a sustainable and socially desirable development of our society.

Organizational details:

• 6 ECTS / 180 h
• prerequisites for the module: none
• Recommended prior knowledge: none
• Frequency: every summer semester
• Mode of Delivery: Lectures and Tutorial - 4,00 SWS
• Language: German/English
• Examination: Written examination / Duration of Examination: 90 minutes