Christoph Schär: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name Prof. em. Dr. Christoph Schär
FieldClimate and Water Cycle
Address
Institut für Atmosphäre und Klima
ETH Zürich, CHN M 12.2
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 81 99
E-mailschaer@env.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.iac.ethz.ch/people/schaer/
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipProfessor emeritus

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
401-5930-00LSeminar in Physics of the Atmosphere for CSE4 credits2SH. Joos, C. Schär
AbstractIn this seminar, the process of writing a scientific proposal is
introduced. The essential elements of a proposal, including the peer
review process, are outlined and class exercises train
scientific writing skills. Knowledge exchange between class
participants is promoted through the preparation of a master thesis
proposal and evaluation of each other's work.
Learning objectiveScientific writing skills
How to effectively write a scientific proposal
ContentIn this seminar, the process of writing a scientific proposal will be
introduced. The essential elements of a proposal, including the peer
review process, will be outlined and class exercises will train
scientific writing skills. Knowledge exchange between class
participants is promoted through the preparation of a master thesis
proposal and evaluation of each other's work.
Prerequisites / NoticeIn this seminar it is mandatory to write a proposal about an upcoming MSc thesis or semester project. If no such project is planned, this Seminar cannot be taken. Please contact the lecturers on time of you plan to take this seminar.
651-4095-01LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1 Information Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
AbstractThe colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions.
Learning objective-get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate science
ContentThe colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions.
Prerequisites / NoticeTo acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage.
651-4095-02LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2 Information Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
AbstractThe colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions.
Learning objective-get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences
Prerequisites / NoticeTo acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage.
651-4095-03LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3 Information Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
AbstractThe colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions.
Learning objective-get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences
Prerequisites / NoticeTo acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage.
701-0461-AALNumerical Methods in Environmental Sciences Information
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 credits6RC. Schär
AbstractThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
Learning objectiveThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
ContentClassification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, an overview of spectral and finite-element methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science.

Three obligatory exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Matlab (previous experience not necessary: a Matlab introduction is given). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied.
LiteratureList of literature is provided.
701-1216-00LNumerical Modelling of Weather and Climate Information 4 credits3GC. Schär, J. Vergara Temprado, M. Wild
AbstractThe course provides an introduction to weather and climate models. It discusses how these models are built addressing both the dynamical core and the physical parameterizations, and it provides an overview of how these models are used in numerical weather prediction and climate research. As a tutorial, students conduct a term project and build a simple atmospheric model using the language PYTHON.
Learning objectiveAt the end of this course, students understand how weather and climate models are formulated from the governing physical principles, and how they are used for climate and weather prediction purposes.
ContentThe course provides an introduction into the following themes: numerical methods (finite differences and spectral methods); adiabatic formulation of atmospheric models (vertical coordinates, hydrostatic approximation); parameterization of physical processes (e.g. clouds, convection, boundary layer, radiation); atmospheric data assimilation and weather prediction; predictability (chaos-theory, ensemble methods); climate models (coupled atmospheric, oceanic and biogeochemical models); climate prediction. Hands-on experience with simple models will be acquired in the tutorials.
Lecture notesSlides and lecture notes will be made available at
http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/modules/numerical-modelling-of-weather-and-climate.html
LiteratureList of literature will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: to follow this course, you need some basic background in atmospheric science, numerical methods (e.g., "Numerische Methoden in der Umweltphysik", 701-0461-00L) as well as experience in programming. Previous experience with PYTHON is useful but not required.