Nicolas Gruber: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name	Prof. Dr. Nicolas Gruber
Field	Umweltphysik
Address	I. f. Biogeochemie/Schadstoffdyn. ETH Zürich, CHN E 31.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 03 52
Fax	+41 44 632 16 91
E-mail	nicolas.gruber@env.ethz.ch
URL	https://up.ethz.ch/people/person-detail.NDU4Mzg=.TGlzdC8xNzUxLC0zMDYxNTA1MjU=.html
Department	Environmental Systems Science
Relationship	Full Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
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.
701-0029-00L	Environmental Systems II	3 credits	2V	A. Patt, H. Bugmann, N. Gruber
Abstract	The lecture provides a science-based exploration of three important environmental systems: Inland waters, forest, and of food systems.
Learning objective	The students are able to explain important functions of the three environmental systems, to discuss critical drivers, trends and conflicts of their use and to compare potential solutions.
Content	Aquatic ecosystems and their function, water use and its impact, water pollution and water treatment, water and health, water technologies, water & energy. Forests and agroforest systems, trends and drivers of land use changes, sustainable forest management. The main functions, trends and challenges of agricultural and food systems are discussed based on the four dimensions of food security (availability, access, utilization of food and stability of the food systems).
Lecture notes	Lecture notes or other documentation are provided by instructors and accessible via moodle.
701-0033-00L	Laboratory Course in Physics for Students of Environmental Sciences This lecture.is for students from 3rd Semester BSc Environmental Sciences.	2 credits	4P	M. Münnich, A. Biland, N. Gruber
Abstract	The course provides an individual experience of physical phenomena and the basic principles of experiments. By carrying out simple physical experiments the students learn the proper use measuring instruments, the correct evaluation of the measured data and how to interpret the final results.
Learning objective	This laboratory course aims to provide basic knowledge of - the setup of experiments, - various measurement techniques, - the use of various measurement instruments, - the correct performance of experiments, - the analysis of the accuracy of the measurements, - and the interpretations of the measured quantities. The course should also deepen the knowledge of experimental physics.
Content	The students select 5 out of 18 experiments which they like to conduct. For each of these experiments the students will analyze the data they measured, estimate in written reports the error of these measurements and compare their results with the physical theory.
Lecture notes	Manuals for the experiments are provided online on the Moodle pages of the course.
Prerequisites / Notice	Special course format in fall 2020: The course in will consist of two parts: Part 1: Home experiments Part 2: Preparatory course covering the material of physics course in spring.
701-1302-00L	Term Paper 2: Seminar Only for Environmental Sciences MSc and Science, Technology and Policy MSc. Number of participants is limited. Prerequisite: Term Paper 1: Writing (701-1303-00L).	2 credits	1S	L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, A. N'Guyen van Chinh, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli
Abstract	This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of "Term Paper 1: Writing". The results from the term paper written during the previous term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed with the audience.
Learning objective	The goal of the term paper seminars is to train the student's ability to communicate (scientific) results to a wider audience and the ability to respond to questions and comments.
Content	Each student presents the results of their term paper to fellow students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience.
Lecture notes	Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform.
Prerequisites / Notice	There is no final exam. The grade is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and discussion. To obtain the credits, it is mandatory to attend at least 60% of all seminar dates offered in the fall and spring semester. Active participation in discussion and feedback rounds is expected.
701-1303-00L	Term Paper 1: Writing Only for Environmental Sciences MSc and Science, Technology and Policy MSc. Number pf participants is limited.	5 credits	6A	L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, A. N'Guyen van Chinh, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli
Abstract	The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarise the information in a succinct manner is an important skill for any student. This course aims to practice this ability, requiring each student to write a term paper of scientific quality on a topic of relevance for research in the areas of biogeochemistry and pollutant dynamics.
Learning objective	The goal of the term paper is to train the student's ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to summarise the findings concisely in a paper addressing a research question. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - narrow down a research question. - identify relevant literature to address the research question. - concisely summarise and critically evaluate their findings. - formulate key outstanding questions.
Content	Each student is expected to write a paper with a length of approximately 15-20 pages. The students can choose from a list of topics prepared by the tutors, but the final topic will be determined based on a balance of choice and availability. The students will be guided and advised by their tutors throughout the term. The paper itself should contain the following elements: - Motivation and context of the given topic (25%) - Concise presentation and critical evaluation of the state of the science (50%) - Identification of open questions and perhaps opportunities for further research (25%) In addition, the accurate use of citations, attribution of ideas, and the judicious use of figures, tables, equations and references are critical components of a successful paper. Specialised knowledge is not expected, nor required; neither is new research.
Lecture notes	Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform.
Literature	Original scientific literature will be identified based on the chosen topic.
Prerequisites / Notice	The term paper course is primarily aimed at master students majoring in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics and ISTP students with a solid background in natural sciences and a strong interest in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics. Each student submits a term paper that will be reviewed by one fellow student and one faculty. The submission of the term paper and a written review of another student's term paper are a condition for obtaining the credit points. There is no final exam. The grade is assigned based on the quality of the term paper and the submitted review as well as on the presentation in the following term. Results from the term paper will be presented to fellow students and involved faculty in the following semester ("Term Paper 2: Seminar").
701-1346-00L	Carbon Mitigation Number of participants limited to 90.	3 credits	2G	N. Gruber
Abstract	Future climate change can only kept within reasonable bounds when CO2 emissions are drastically reduced. In this course, we will discuss a portfolio of options involving the alteration of natural carbon sinks and carbon sequestration. The course includes introductory lectures, presentations from guest speakers from industry and the public sector, and final presentations by the students.
Learning objective	The goal of this course is to investigate, as a group, a particular set of carbon mitigation/sequestration options and to evaluate their potential, their cost, and their consequences.
Content	From the large number of carbon sequestration/mitigation options, a few options will be selected and then investigated in detail by the students. The results of this research will then be presented to the other students, the involved faculty, and discussed in detail by the whole group.
Lecture notes	None
Literature	Will be identified based on the chosen topic.
Prerequisites / Notice	Exam: No final exam. Pass/No-Pass is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and ensuing discussion.