Green Computing - MA

Course content

Increased awareness of green issues across all sectors of business and the economy and the almost universal adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) draw attention to the environmental impact of technology. ICT is estimated to consume around 10% of the UK’s electricity, and rises in energy prices mean that companies are looking to streamline their ICT systems, increase sustainability and save costs. As well as being a part of the problem of energy use, appropriate applications of ICT can also provide energy-saving solutions, if properly understood and effectively utilised.

This course develops your skills and knowledge to allow you to play a key role in developing sustainable ICT strategies. You will assess the environmental impact of ICT and investigate green ICT technologies, whilst researching and designing practical alternative strategies to implement sustainable computing within a legal and ethical framework.

Core modules

• ICT and the environment
  Explores the tools and techniques available to measure the methods available, and the ways in which outputs from those measurements define an organisation’s ICT–related energy consumption.
• Green computing technologies
  Discusses the characteristics of technologies which offer ICT at lower energy cost, including; cloud computing, virtualisation, thin client systems and desktop power management.
• Sustainable computing
  You will research how ICT can change life and working patterns, examples include; video conferencing and efficient printing, as well as uses of ICT in areas such as energy monitoring and control.
• Responsibly green
  Addresses the legal and ethical topics surrounding green computing, including; national and international legislation and the demands of corporate social responsibility.
• Developing green ICT strategies
  You will consider the processes necessary to manage the changes which allow organisations to operate more sustainably. Existing strategies are reviewed, and those appropriate to different organisations are developed.

Please note the list of modules is not exhaustive and modules may change from time to time. If you would like further information relating to this course, please contact us.

Benefits of studying this course

This is the first course of its kind to run in the UK. You will work with academic and technical staff who developed the University’s Green IT strategy, and who implement many of the technologies addressed in the modules. Our academic staff are actively researching Green IT, ethics and change management, including grant-supported projects to measure the energy use of ICT systems and to develop low-energy networking systems. In addition, we have strong links with industry, through membership of the British Computer Society’s Green IT Specialist Group.

Future opportunities

Large ICT users are creating specific posts for green computing specialists. We expect that many smaller businesses will either require that role to be carried out as part of another role, or will seek support on a consultancy basis. Individuals with the depth and breadth of knowledge gained from this course are likely to be in high demand to fill those roles. Our contacts with industry leaders and our focus on practical research prepares you for key roles within large organisations; to embark on a career in consultancy, or to pursue PhD research at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have an honours degree in computing, IT or related subject, or significant work experience (typically a minimum of three years) with skills and knowledge comparable to those gained from an honours degree.

Key Facts

Course code: GRNCM
Place of study: Headingley Campus
Start date: September or January
Length of study: Full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years
IELTS scores: 6.0 with no skill below 5.0 (or equivalent)

More Information

Find out more about the Green Computing MSc - Full time | Part time.