Nicolas Gruber: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019

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
151-0928-00L	CO2 Capture and Storage and the Industry of Carbon-Based Resources	4 credits	3G	M. Mazzotti, L. Bretschger, N. Gruber, C. Müller, M. Repmann, T. Schmidt, D. Sutter
Abstract	Carbon-based resources (coal, oil, gas): origin, production, processing, resource economics. Climate change: science, policies. CCS systems: CO2 capture in power/industrial plants, CO2 transport and storage. Besides technical details, economical, legal and societal aspects are considered (e.g. electricity markets, barriers to deployment).
Learning objective	The goal of the lecture is to introduce carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) systems, the technical solutions developed so far and the current research questions. This is done in the context of the origin, production, processing and economics of carbon-based resources, and of climate change issues. After this course, students are familiar with important technical and non-technical issues related to use of carbon resources, climate change, and CCS as a transitional mitigation measure. The class will be structured in 2 hours of lecture and one hour of exercises/discussion. At the end of the semester a group project is planned.
Content	Both the Swiss and the European energy system face a number of significant challenges over the coming decades. The major concerns are the security and economy of energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels will continue to satisfy the largest part of the energy demand in the medium term for Europe, and they could become part of the Swiss energy portfolio due to the planned phase out of nuclear power. Carbon capture and storage is considered an important option for the decarbonization of the power sector and it is the only way to reduce emissions in CO2 intensive industrial plants (e.g. cement- and steel production). Building on the previously offered class "Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS)", we have added two specific topics: 1) the industry of carbon-based resources, i.e. what is upstream of the CCS value chain, and 2) the science of climate change, i.e. why and how CO2 emissions are a problem. The course is devided into four parts: I) The first part will be dedicated to the origin, production, and processing of conventional as well as of unconventional carbon-based resources. II) The second part will comprise two lectures from experts in the field of climate change sciences and resource economics. III) The third part will explain the technical details of CO2 capture (current and future options) as well as of CO2 storage and utilization options, taking again also economical, legal, and sociatel aspects into consideration. IV) The fourth part will comprise two lectures from industry experts, one with focus on electricity markets, the other on the experiences made with CCS technologies in the industry. Throughout the class, time will be allocated to work on a number of tasks related to the theory, individually, in groups, or in plenum. Moreover, the students will apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course in a case study covering all the topics.
Lecture notes	Power Point slides and distributed handouts
Literature	IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, 2018. http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/ IPCC AR5 Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, 2014. www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ IPCC Special Report on Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage, 2005. www.ipcc.ch/activity/srccs/index.htm The Global Status of CCS: 2014. Published by the Global CCS Institute, Nov 2014. http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/publications/global-status-ccs-2014
Prerequisites / Notice	External lecturers from the industry and other institutes will contribute with specialized lectures according to the schedule distributed at the beginning of the semester.
651-4095-01L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1	1 credit	1K	C. Schär, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, 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 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 / Notice	To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please visit the course's web page and sign up for one of the groups.
651-4095-02L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2	1 credit	1K	C. Schär, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, 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 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 / Notice	To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please visit the course's web page and sign up for one of the groups.
651-4095-03L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3	1 credit	1K	C. Schär, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, 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 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 / Notice	To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please visit the course's web page and sign up for one of the groups.
701-0071-AAL	Mathematics III: Systems Analysis 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.	4 credits	9R	N. Gruber
Abstract	The objective of the systems analysis course is to deepen and illustrate the mathematical concepts on the basis of a series of very concrete examples. Topics covered include: linear box models with one or several variables, non-linear box models with one or several variables, time-discrete models, and continuous models in time and space.
Learning objective	Learning and applying of concepts (models) and quantitative methods to address concrete problems of environmental relevance. Understanding and applying the systems-analytic approach, i.e., Recognizing the core of the problem - simplification - quantitative approach - prediction.
Content	http://www.up.ethz.ch/education/systems-analysis.html
Lecture notes	Overhead slides will be made available through Ilias.
Literature	Imboden, D.S. and S. Pfenninger (2013) Introduction to Systems Analysis: Mathematically Modeling Natural Systems. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-642-30639-6
701-1302-00L	Term Paper 2: Seminar Number of participants is limited. Only for Environmental Sciences MSc. 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, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli
Abstract	This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of the Term paper Writing class (701-1303-00L). The results from the term paper written during the winter term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed.
Learning objective	The goal of the term paper Seminars is to train the student's ability to communicate the results to a wider audience and the ability to respond to questions and comments.
Content	Each student presents the results of the term paper to the other students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience.
Lecture notes	None
Literature	Term paper
Prerequisites / Notice	The term papers will be made publically available after each student had the opportunity to make revisions. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and ensuing discussion.
701-1303-00L	Term Paper 1: Writing Only for Environmental Sciences MSc. Number pf participants is limited.	5 credits	6A	L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli
Abstract	The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarize 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 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 a well-defined set of research subjects, and to summarize the findings concisely in a paper of scientific quality. The paper will be evaluated based on its ability to communicate an understanding of a topic, and to identify key outstanding questions. Results from this term paper will be presented to the fellow students and involved faculty in the following semester (Term paper seminars)
Content	Each student is expected to write a paper with a length of approximately 15 pages. The students can choose from a list of topics prepared by the supervisors, but the final topic will be determined based on a balance of choice and availability. The students will be guided and advised by their advisors throughout the term. The paper itself should contain the following elements: Motivation and context of the given topic (25%), Concise presentation of the state of the science (50%), Identification of open questions and perhaps outline of opportunities for 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. Specialized knowledge is not expected, nor required, neither is new research.
Lecture notes	Guidelines and supplementary material will be handed out at the beginning of the class.
Literature	Will be identified based on the chosen topic.
Prerequisites / Notice	Each term paper will be reviewed by one fellow student and one faculty. The submission of a written review is a condition for obtaining the credit points. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the term paper and the submission of another student's review.
701-1317-00L	Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate	3 credits	3G	N. Gruber, M. Vogt
Abstract	The human-induced emissions of carbon dioxide has led to atmospheric CO2 concentrations that Earth likely has no’t seen for the last 30 million years. This course aims to investigate and understand the impact of humans on Earth's biogeochemical cycles with a focus on the carbon cycle and its interaction with the physical climate system for the past, the present, and the future.
Learning objective	This course aims to investigate the nature of the interaction between biogeochemical cycles on land and in the ocean with climate and how this interaction has evolved over time and will change in the future. Students are expected to participate actively in the course, which includes the critical reading of the pertinent literature and class presentations.
Content	Topics discussed include: The anthropogenic perturbation of the global carbon cycle and climate. Response of land and oceanic ecosystems to past and future global changes; Interactions between biogeochemical cycles on land and in the ocean; Biogeochemical processes controlling carbon dioxide and oxygen in the ocean and atmosphere on time-scales from a few years to a few hundred thousand years.
Lecture notes	Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press. Additional handouts will be provided as needed. see website: http://www.up.ethz.ch/education/biogeochem_cycles
Literature	Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press, 526pp. MacKenzie, F. T. (1999), Global biogeochemical cycles and the physical climate system, Global Change Instruction Program, UCAR, Boulder, CO, 69pp. W. H. Schlesinger (1997), Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, Academic Press. Original literature.