Christoph Schär: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2022 |
| Name | Prof. em. Dr. Christoph Schär |
| Field | Climate 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 |
| schaer@env.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.iac.ethz.ch/people/schaer/ |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Professor emeritus |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 061-0101-00L | Climate / Water / Soil   Only for Landscape Architecture MSc. | 2 credits | 3G | H. Joos, R. Kretzschmar, R. Weingartner, A. Carminati, S. Dötterl, M. G. Fellin, E. Fischer, A. Frossard, T. Galí-Izard, R. Knutti, G. Mussetti, C. Schär, S. Schemm, J. Schwaab, C. Steger, H. Wernli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Lectures, exercises and excursions serve as an introduction to atmospheric sciences, hydrology and soil science. Students gain a broad vision of the cutting edge topics that are being researched and studied at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH, Eawag, WSL a.o. This will be the base for a future dialog between the field of landscape architecture and the field of sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students acquire basic knowledge in atmospheric sciences, hydrology and soil science: - Understanding basic chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere that influence weather and climate - Knowledge of water balance, principles of integral water management and climatic factors in the field of hydrology - Fundamentals about the classification of soils, soil-forming processes, physical and chemical soil properties, soil biology and ecology, soil degradation and protection Students develop an understanding of the relevance of these topics in the field of landscape architecture. Temporal and physical scale, research methods, units of measurement, lexicon, modes of representation and critical literature form the framework for the joint discourse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course unit consists of the three courses "Climate", "Water" and "Soil", which are organized in modules. Module 1 “Climate”, 19.–23.09.2022 - Atmospheric dynamics: weather conditions, precipitation formation, weather forecast - Climate physics: past and future changes in global climate and scenarios for Switzerland - Land-climate dynamics: interaction between the land surface and the climate system - Hydrology and water cycle: extreme precipitation, influence of climate change on the cryosphere Module 2 “Water”, 26.09.–30.09.2022 Basics: - Water supply: water balance, groundwater, water quality (water protection) - Hydrological hazards: floods and drought - Water use: drinking water, hydropower, ecology - External influencing factors: human influence in the historical dimension, global change - “Hydrology of drought” and its impact on water resources. Hydrological profile of the northern side of the Alps: - Alpine region (Grimsel area): dominate role of snow and ice, dangerous processes, liquefaction of the water balance in the wake of climate change, uses (hydropower) and conflicts of use, new images of the Alpine region - From the Alps to the Mittelland (locations along the Aare): Lake Thun (role of lakes in the water cycle, river and lake shore planning), Uttigen (conflicts of use between groundwater use, flood protection, revitalization and modes of transport) & Seeland (Jura water correction, conflicts of use in the Seeland) - Jura (Reigoldswil region): Jurassic landforms, water in the karst, water supply in the karst Module 3 “Soil”, 3.10.–7.10.22 - Introduction to soils: definition, function, formation, classification and mapping - Soil physics: soil texture, soil structure, soil water potentials, hydraulic conductivity - Soil chemistry and fertility: clay minerals and oxides, cation exange capacity, soil pH, essential plant nutrients - Soil biology and ecology: soil fauna and microflora, fungi, bacteria, food web, organic matter - Soil degradation and threats to soil resources: erosion, compactation, sealing, contamination, salinization - Practical aspects of soil protection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course material will be provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The course material includes a reading list. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The courses "Climate", "Water" and "Soil" are organized with the Fundamental Studio I as joint one-week modules. The weekly schedules will be provided with the course materials. Module 1 "Climate", 19.–23.09.20202 Module 2 "Water", 26.09.–30.09.2022 Module 3 "Soil", 3.10.–7.10.22 - The courses are held in English or German. - The written session examination covers all three courses "Climate", "Water" and "Soil". - During the excursions there will be at least one external overnight stay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 401-5930-00L | Seminar in Physics of the Atmosphere for CSE | 4 credits | 2S | H. Joos, C. Schär | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The process of writing a scientific proposal is introduced and the essential elements, 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. An introduction to presentation skills is provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - scientific writing - introduction to peer review process - correction / feedback to the proposals of other participants - presentation skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | n 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. Furthermore, an introduction to presentation skills is provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | In 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 (hanna.joos@env.ethz.ch) on time if you plan to take this seminar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-2915-00L | Seminar in Hydrology | 0 credits | 1S | P. Burlando, J. W. Kirchner, C. Schär, M. Schirmer, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Stähli, C. H. Stamm, University lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Learning objective | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-4095-01L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The 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 | The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-4095-02L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The 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 | The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-4095-03L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The 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 | The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0027-00L | Environmental Systems I | 2 credits | 2V | C. Schär, N. Dubois, G. Velicer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture provides a science-based exploration of environmental aspects from three research fields: earth, climate, and health sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The students are able to explain important properties of the three environmental systems, to discuss critical drivers, trends and conflicts of their use, and to compare potential solutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The lecture discusses the role of the environmental systems based on selected environmental problems, among these the exploration of raw materials and fossil fuels, climate change and its impacts on man and environment, and the spread and control of infectious diseases in the human population and agricultural systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides are provided by instructors and are accessible via moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0461-AAL | Numerical Methods in Environmental Physics 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 | C. Schär | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This lecture conveys 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 using the computer language Python. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Ability to develop simple numerical schemes and to implement these schemes using the programming language Python. Ability to critically use more complex numerical models. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Classification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, linear and nonlinear tranport equation, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, overview of other methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science. Three exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Python (previous experience not necessary, a Phython introduction is provided). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | List of literature is provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0461-00L | Numerical Methods in Environmental Physics | 3 credits | 2G | C. Schär, C. Zeman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This lecture conveys 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 using the computer language Python. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Ability to develop simple numerical schemes and to implement these schemes using the programming language Python. Ability to critically use more complex numerical models. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Classification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, linear and nonlinear tranport equation, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, overview of other methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science. Three exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Python (previous experience not necessary, a Phython introduction is provided). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Per Web auf http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/bachelor/vertiefung/numerical-methods-in-environmental-physics.html | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | List of literature is provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-1257-00L | European Climate Change | 3 credits | 2G | C. Schär, J. Rajczak, S. C. Scherrer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture provides an overview of climate change in Europe, from a physical and atmospheric science perspective. It covers the following topics: • observational datasets, observation and detection of climate change; • underlying physical processes and feedbacks; • numerical and statistical approaches; • currently available projections. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | At the end of this course, participants should: • understand the key physical processes shaping climate change in Europe; • know about the methodologies used in climate change studies, encompassing observational, numerical, as well as statistical approaches; • be familiar with relevant observational and modeling data sets; • be able to tackle simple climate change questions using available data sets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Contents: • global context • observational data sets, analysis of climate trends and climate variability in Europe • global and regional climate modeling • statistical downscaling • key aspects of European climate change: intensification of the water cycle, Polar and Mediterranean amplification, changes in extreme events, changes in hydrology and snow cover, topographic effects • projections of European and Alpine climate change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and lecture notes will be made available at http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/electives/european-climate-change.html | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Participants should have a background in natural sciences, and have attended introductory lectures in atmospheric sciences or meteorology. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||