Alex Widmer: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Alex Widmer |
| Field | Ökologische Pflanzengenetik |
| Address | Institut für Integrative Biologie ETH Zürich, CHN G 21.1 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 21 74 |
| Fax | +41 44 632 14 63 |
| alex.widmer@usys.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.peg.ethz.ch |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 551-0001-AAL | General Biology I Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 3 credits | 6R | U. Sauer, O. Y. Martin, A. Widmer | |
| Abstract | Organismic biology to teach the basic principles of classical and molecular genetics, evolutionary biology and phylogeny. First in a series of two lectures given over two semesters for students of agricultural and food sciences, as well as of environmental sciences. | ||||
| Objective | The understanding of basic principles of biology (inheritance, evolution and phylogeny) and an overview of the diversity of life. | ||||
| Content | The first semester focuses on the organismal biology aspects of genetics, evolution and diversity of life in the Campbell chapters 12-34. Week 1-7 by Alex Widmer, Chapters 12-25 12 Cell biology Mitosis 13 Genetics Sexual life cycles and meiosis 14 Genetics Mendelian genetics 15 Genetics Linkage and chromosomes 20 Genetics Evolution of genomes 21 Evolution How evolution works 22 Evolution Phylogentic reconstructions 23 Evolution Microevolution 24 Evolution Species and speciation 25 Evolution Macroevolution Week 8-14 by Oliver Martin, Chapters 26-34 26 Diversity of Life Introdution to viruses 27 Diversity of Life Prokaryotes 28 Diversity of Life Origin & evolution of eukaryotes 29 Diversity of Life Nonvascular&seedless vascular plants 30 Diversity of Life Seed plants 31 Diversity of Life Introduction to fungi 32 Diversity of Life Overview of animal diversity 33 Diversity of Life Introduction to invertebrates 34 Diversity of Life Origin & evolution of vertebrates | ||||
| Lecture notes | No script | ||||
| Literature | Campbell et al. (2015) Biology - A Global Approach. 10th Edition (Global Edition | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This is a virtual self-study lecture for non-german speakers of the "Allgemeine Biology I (551-0001-00L) lecture. The exam will be written jointly with the participants of this lecture. Example exam questions will be discussed during the lectures, and old exam questions are kept by the various student organisations. If necessary, please contact Prof. Uwe Sauer (sauer@ethz.ch) for details regarding the exam. | ||||
| 551-0003-AAL | General Biology I+II Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 7 credits | 13R | U. Sauer, R. Aebersold, W. Gruissem, O. Y. Martin, A. Widmer | |
| Abstract | General Biology I: Organismic biology to teach the basic principles of classical and molecular genetics, evolutionary biology and phylogeny. General Biology II: Molecular biology approach to teach the basic principles of biochemistry, cell biology, cgenetics, evolutionary biology and form and function of vacular plants. | ||||
| Objective | General Biology I: The understanding of basic principles of biology (inheritance, evolution and phylogeny) and an overview of the diversity of life. General Biology II: The understanding basic concepts of biology: the hierarchy of the structural levels of biological organisation, with particular emphasis on the cell and its molecular functions, the fundamentals of metabolism and molecular genetics, as well as form and function of vascular plants. | ||||
| Content | General Biology I: General Biology I focuses on the organismal biology aspects of genetics, evolution and diversity of life in the Campbell chapters 12-34. Week 1-7 by Alex Widmer, Chapters 12-25 12 Cell biology Mitosis 13 Genetics Sexual life cycles and meiosis 14 Genetics Mendelian genetics 15 Genetics Linkage and chromosomes 20 Genetics Evolution of genomes 21 Evolution How evolution works 22 Evolution Phylogentic reconstructions 23 Evolution Microevolution 24 Evolution Species and speciation 25 Evolution Macroevolution Week 8-14 by Oliver Martin, Chapters 26-34 26 Diversity of Life Introdution to viruses 27 Diversity of Life Prokaryotes 28 Diversity of Life Origin & evolution of eukaryotes 29 Diversity of Life Nonvascular&seedless vascular plants 30 Diversity of Life Seed plants 31 Diversity of Life Introduction to fungi 32 Diversity of Life Overview of animal diversity 33 Diversity of Life Introduction to invertebrates 34 Diversity of Life Origin & evolution of vertebrates General Biology II: The structure and function of biomacromolecules; basics of metabolism; tour of the cell; membrane structure and function; basic energetics of cellular processes; respiration, photosynthesis; cell cycle, from gene to protein; structure and growth of vascular plants, resource acquisition and transport, soil and plant nutrition. Specifically the following Campbell chapters will be covered: 3 Biochemistry Chemistry of water 4 Biochemistry Carbon: the basis of molecular diversity 5 Biochemistry Biological macromolecules and lipids 7 Cell biology Cell structure and function 8 Cell biology Cell membranes 10 Cell biology Respiration: introduction to metabolism 10 Cell biology Cell respiration 11 Cell biology Photosynthetic processes 16 Genetics Nucleic acids and inheritance 17 Genetics Expression of genes 18 Genetics Control of gene expression 19 Genetics DNA Technology 35 Plant structure&function Plant Structure and Growth 36 Plant structure&function Transport in vascular plants 37 Plant structure&function Plant nutrition 38 Plant structure&function Reproduction of flowering plants 39 Plant structure&function Plants signal and behavior | ||||
| Lecture notes | No script | ||||
| Literature | Campbell et al. (2015) Biology - A Global Approach. 10th Edition (Global Edition) | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basic general and organic chemistry This is a virtual self-study lecture for non-German speakers of the "Allgemeine Biology I (551-0001-00L) and "Allgemeine Biology II (551-0002-00L) lectures. The exam will be written jointly with the participants of this lecture. | ||||
| 701-0362-00L | Soils and Vegetation of the Alps  Voraussetzungen sind die bestandenen Prüfungen in "Bodenchemie" (701-0533-00L; R. Kretzschmar, D.I. Christl) und "Pedosphäre" (701-0501-00L; R. Kretzschmar). Falls gleichwertige Voraussetzungen (z.B. von anderen Hochschulen) vorliegen, muss eine Teilnahme zuvor mit den Dozenten abgesprochen werden. | 2 credits | 2P | A. Widmer, R. Kretzschmar | |
| Abstract | Field trip: Knowledge of the interactions between plants and environment (especially climate and soil) in the Alps (demonstrated in the Davos region); sites on different substrate (dolomite, acid and basic silicate, serpentine) in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and species at the respective sites. | ||||
| Objective | Knowledge of the interactions between plants and their environment (especially climate and soil) in the Alps (demonstrated in the Davos region). | ||||
| Content | Field trip in the Davos region: Sites on different substrat (dolomite, acid and basic silicate, serpentine) in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and species at the respective sites. | ||||
| Lecture notes | A guide to the excursion will be made available. | ||||
| Literature | Landolt E. 2003: Unsere Alpenflora. 7.Aufl., SAC-Verlag. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Voraussetzungen /Besonderes: Diese Lehrveranstaltung kann nur mit bestandenen Prüfungen in "Bodenchemie" (701-0533-00L; R. Kretzschmar, D.I. Christl) und "Pedosphäre" (701-0501-00L; R. Kretzschmar) belegt werden. Falls gleichwertige Voraussetzungen (z.B. von anderen Hochschulen) vorliegen, muss eine Teilnahme zuvor mit den Dozenten abgesprochen werden. Studierende, die auch die Vorlesung "Flora und Vegetation der Alpen" (701-0364-00V; A. Widmer) belegen, können diese Lehrveranstaltung nicht zusätzlich belegen Besonderes Die viertägigen Exkursion in der Region Davos findet statt vom Mittwoch, 3. Juli bis Samstag, 6. Juli 2019. Die Reisekosten werden von der ETH Zürich übernommen; die Departemente Biologie und Umweltsystemwissenschaften leisten einen Beitrag an die Unterkunftskosten; die restlichen Kosten (Unterkunft inkl. Vollpension und Exkursionsführer) von 190 Fr. müssen von den Teilnehmenden übernommen werden. Die Exkursionen finden in den Bergen statt. Die Teilnehmenden müssen deshalb geländegängig sein, auch in steilem Gelände. Bei Bedenken bitten wir um rechtzeitige Kontaktaufnahme, damit wir die Situation vorgängig analysieren und besprechen können. | ||||
| 701-0364-00L | Flora, Vegetation and Soils of the Alps | 3 credits | 1V + 2P | A. Widmer, R. Kretzschmar | |
| Abstract | Lecture: Environmental factors and interactions between plants and their environment in the area of the Alps; origin of the flora of the Alps; altitudinal levels and their characteristic vegetations. Field trip: Sites on different substrate in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and plant species. | ||||
| Objective | Familiarity with environmental factors and the interactions between plants and their environment in the area of the Alps. | ||||
| Content | Lecture: Environmental factors in the alps; adaptation of plants; patterns of distribution; genesis of the flora of the Alps; altitudinal levels; characteristic vegetation. Field trip: Sites on different substrate (dolomite, acid and basic silicate, serpentine) in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and species at the respective sites. | ||||
| Lecture notes | see under "Literatur". For the excursion a guide will be available. | ||||
| Literature | Landolt E. 2003: Unsere Alpenflora. 7.Aufl., SAC-Verlag. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Requirements: Solid background in systematic botany; successful participation in the course "Systematic Biology: Plants" (Nr. 701-0360-00). It is further recommended that participants have also participated in the block course "Plant Diversity" (Nr. 701-2314-00L), or alternatively the two courses "Plant Diversity: Colline/Montane" (701-0314-00L) and "Plant Diversity: Subalpine/Alpine" (701-0314-01L). The course consists of the lecture (spring semester, Mo 17-18, CHN G42) and an excursion in July (four days, July 3 to 6, 2019) in the Alps. The examination includes contents from the lecture and excursion. Excursion: Travel costs are covered by ETH Zurich. The Biology and Environmental Systems Science Departments contribute to housing costs for the excursion. The remaining costs of 190 Swiss Francs for accommodation, food and the printed excursion booklet are to be covered by the participants. The excursion takes place in the Alps. Participants therefore must be able and used to walk in steep terrain and have the necessary equipment (most importantly, good hiking shoes). In case of concerns, please contact the responsible person well in advance. Please note that this course will be taught in German. | ||||
| 701-1461-00L | Ecology and Evolution: Seminar Direct continuation of course unit 701-1460-00L "Ecology and Evolution: Term Paper" of the previous semester (HS). | 3 credits | 6S | T. Städler, S. Bonhoeffer, T. Crowther, A. Hall, J. Jokela, G. Velicer, A. Widmer | |
| Abstract | The organization and functioning of academic research as well as academic publishing are introduced and applied: students critically review two term papers written by their student colleagues. Based on the reviews, the authors of the papers write reply letters and revise their own term papers. They finally present their topic during an in-house "mini-conference" with a talk. | ||||
| Objective | • Students become familiar with the academic peer-review and publishing process • They learn to evaluate the quality of a manuscript and formulate constructive criticism • They learn to deal with criticism of their own work (by their student peers) • They practise oral presentations and discussions in English | ||||
| Content | The organization and functioning of academic research as well as academic publishing are introduced and applied: students critically review two term papers written by their student colleagues. Based on the reviews, the authors of the papers write reply letters and revise their own term papers. They finally present their topic during an in-house "mini-conference" with a talk. | ||||
| Lecture notes | none | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Direct continuation of "Ecology and Evolution: Term Paper" of the previous semester | ||||