• Lecturer: Kevin Buchin
• Module: INF-MSc-603
• Type: 2 SWS lecture + 2 SWS tutorial
• Moodle: 59636 (enroll via lsf)
• Language: English

Description

This course explores how algorithms research can contribute to addressing challenges of sustainability. We will study algorithmic techniques and applications with a focus on both theoretical foundations and practical impact. Topics include:

• Computational Movement Analysis
• Routing Algorithms for Sustainable Mobility
• Energy-efficient Algorithms
• Algorithmic Fairness

Prerequisites 

• Solid background in algorithms and data structures
• Interest in both the theory of algorithms and in practical, application-driven algorithm design
• Readiness to apply algorithms in hands-on, project-based work

Format 

• weekly lecture (Tue 10:15-11:45) and tutorial (Wed 10:15-11:45)
• Tutorial sessions combine exercises on lecture content with project discussion and practical guidance

Projects

Each student will work on a small-scale project, comparable in scope to course work for a regular course. Projects can be done individually or in pairs. Students are free to propose their own topics. By default, however, projects will be based on the frameworks and ideas introduced in the course and discussed in the tutorial sessions.
Possible projects include, for example:

• developing a MoveApp for MoveBank,
• implementing routing algorithms as part of our tour4me framework (https://tramectory.github.io/tour4me/)
• evaluating and engineering basic algorithms for energy efficiency (e.g., for sorting, convex hulls, or another fundamental problem).

Language

• The course will be taught in English

Studium oecologicum
This is a 6 CP computer science course. If you are not a computer science student, there is also the option of taking this course as a 3 CP course within the studium oecologicum. If you take it as 3 CP course then

• regular participation in the lecture (2h per week) is mandatory
• you do not do a project and do not need to take part in the tutorial
• your oral exam is more focussed on the fundamentals covered in the lectures
• the 3 CP can only be used for the studium oecologicum

Of course, also if you take the regular 6 CP course, the 6 CP can be used for the studium oecologicum.

Schedule

Further guest speakers will be added once confirmed.

Previous Iterations

Winter 2025/2026

Invited lectures and talks

• 14.10.2025: Dr. Henning Moldenhauer, Sustainability Office TU Dortmund: "Sustainability goals"
• 16.10.2025: Dr. Andrea Kölzsch, Assistant Professor for Ecology, Radboud University: "MoveApps Introduction"
• 23.10.2025: Mart Hagedoorn, PhD student in Algorithms, TU Dortmund: "Integrating Route Planning Algorithms in Tour4Me"
• 13.11.2025: JProf. Ben Hermann, TU Dortmund: "Measuring energy-efficiency of programs"
• 18.11.2025: Prof. Sabine Storandt, University of Konstanz: "Route planning for accessibility in digital twins"
• 09.12.2025: JProf. Ben Hermann, TU Dortmund: Energy-efficiency in Software Engineering
• 13.01.2026: Prof. Melanie Schmidt, HHU Düsseldorf: "Fairness in Geometric Cluster Analysis"
• 27.01.2026: Dr. Vera Schemann, University of Cologne: "Challenges in analyzing and evaluating global climate simulations"