Reto Knutti: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Reto Knutti |
| Field | Climate Physics |
| Address | Institut für Atmosphäre und Klima ETH Zürich, CHN N 12.1 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 35 40 |
| reto.knutti@env.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.iac.ethz.ch/people/knuttir |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 701-0016-00L | Philosophical Issues in Understanding Global Change Does not take place this semester. Number of participants limited to 9. Priority is given to D-ERDW Master in Atmospheric and Climate Science or doctoral students and D-USYS Master's and doctoral students. | 2 credits | 1S | C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti | |
| Abstract | This course investigates the potentials and limitations of models and computer simulations that aim at understanding global change. We also discuss the limitations of observations and the role that results from models and computer simulations may take in decision making on policies for sustainable development. | ||||
| Objective | Students learn to reflect on concepts, methods, arguments and knowledge claims based upon computer simulations by critically analysing and assessing topical and recent research papers from philosophy and the sciences. | ||||
| Content | Global change is not just a major real-world problem, but also a challenge for the natural and social sciences. The challenge is due to the spatial and temporal scales considered, the diversity, complexity and variability of aspects involved, and, last but not least, the pragmatic and normative questions raised by global change. This course investigates the potentials and limits of research methods such as modelling for understanding global change with a focus on climate change. We also discuss the role of results from modelling and computer simulations in decision making on policies for sustainable development. In the seminar, topics such as the following are discussed: (1) What is a model? What are purposes and potential pitfalls of models? What are the basic steps of modelling? (2) What are computer simulations and what is their relation to models? How do we learn about the real world by running computer simulations? How do computer simulations differ from classical experiments? (3) What do data tell us about the problem we are investigating? What are the difficulties in assessing and interpreting data? (4) What is the role of results from modelling and computer simulation in decision making on policies for sustainable development? What are the consequences of model uncertainties for policy making? | ||||
| Lecture notes | A set of papers from philosophy and from science to be discussed and a guide to analyzing texts are provided. | ||||
| Literature | The papers to be discussed in the seminar sessions and guidelines about the analysis of texts are provided. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This seminar is offered at the ETH and the University of Bern. There are four seminar sessions, each lasting 4 hours. The sessions take place from 13:45 to 17:15. The places alternate between Zurich and Berne in the following way DATUM Berne, BHF Soz. Arbeit, Raum 310, Hallerstrasse 10 DATUM Zurich, CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 DATUM Berne, BHF Soz. Arbeit, Raum 310, Hallerstrasse 10 DATUM Zurich, CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 In the first meeting, participants are introduced to methods on how to read a philosophical paper. For each meeting, every participant answers a couple of questions about one of the papers scheduled for discussion. The preparation for each session will take about 5 hours. Answers have to be sent to the lecturers before the seminar takes place and provide a basis for the discussion. All students that have subscribed will get the questions and texts for the first meeting by email. Seminar discussions are chaired jointly by lecturers from philosophy and from science. Interest in interdisciplinary reading and discussion is a prerequisite. The number of participants is limited to 18, viz. 9 from the University of Bern and 9 from ETH Zurich. Requirements for 2 CP: (1) Answer the questions about one paper before the meetings and read another paper (4 times), (2) Write a short essay of about 2-3 pages about a topic discussed in our meetings. This essay should be delivered until 3 weeks after the end of the spring semester. Master or PhD students of D-USYS or students of Atmosph. + Climate Science MSc have priority. | ||||
| 701-0412-AAL | Climate Systems 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 | R. Knutti | |
| Abstract | Introduction of the most important components of the climate systems and their interactions. | ||||
| Objective | Students have a basic understanding of the global energy balance, radiation budget, boundary, layer, atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, land-surface coupling, cryosphere, carbon cycle, climate variability, climate of the past and anthropogenic climate change, and they are able to apply this to solve simple quantitative problems and answer qualitative questions. | ||||
| 701-0412-00L | Climate Systems | 3 credits | 2G | R. Knutti, I. Medhaug | |
| Abstract | This course introduces the most important physical components of the climate system and their interactions. The mechanisms of anthropogenic climate change are analysed against the background of climate history and variability. Those completing the course will be in a position to identify and explain simple problems in the area of climate systems. | ||||
| Objective | Students are able - to describe the most important physical components of the global climate system and sketch their interactions - to explain the mechanisms of anthropogenic climate change - to identify and explain simple problems in the area of climate systems | ||||
| Lecture notes | Copies of the slides are provided in electronic form. | ||||
| Literature | A comprehensive list of references is provided in the class. Two books are particularly recommended: - Hartmann, D., 2016: Global Physical Climatology. Academic Press, London, 485 pp. - Peixoto, J.P. and A.H. Oort, 1992: Physics of Climate. American Institute of Physics, New York, 520 pp. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Teaching: Reto Knutti, several keynotes to special topics by other professors Course taught in german, slides in english | ||||
| 701-1252-00L | Climate Change Uncertainty and Risk: From Probabilistic Forecasts to Economics of Climate Adaptation | 3 credits | 2V + 1U | D. N. Bresch, R. Knutti | |
| Abstract | The course introduces the concepts of predictability, probability, uncertainty and probabilistic risk modelling and their application to climate modeling and the economics of climate adaptation. | ||||
| Objective | Students will acquire knowledge in uncertainty and risk quantification (probabilistic modelling) and an understanding of the economics of climate adaptation. They will become able to construct their own uncertainty and risk assessment models (in Python), hence basic understanding of scientific programming forms a prerequisite of the course. | ||||
| Content | The first part of the course covers methods to quantify uncertainty in detecting and attributing human influence on climate change and to generate probabilistic climate change projections on global to regional scales. Model evaluation, calibration and structural error are discussed. In the second part, quantification of risks associated with local climate impacts and the economics of different baskets of climate adaptation options are assessed – leading to informed decisions to optimally allocate resources. Such pre-emptive risk management allows evaluating a mix of prevention, preparation, response, recovery, and (financial) risk transfer actions, resulting in an optimal balance of public and private contributions to risk management, aiming at a more resilient society. The course provides an introduction to the following themes: 1) basics of probabilistic modelling and quantification of uncertainty from global climate change to local impacts of extreme events 2) methods to optimize and constrain model parameters using observations 3) risk management from identification (perception) and understanding (assessment, modelling) to actions (prevention, preparation, response, recovery, risk transfer) 4) basics of economic evaluation, economic decision making in the presence of climate risks and pre-emptive risk management to optimally allocate resources | ||||
| Lecture notes | Powerpoint slides will be made available | ||||
| Literature | - | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Hands-on experience with probabilistic climate models and risk models will be acquired in the tutorials; hence basic understanding of scientific programming forms a prerequisite of the course. Basic understanding of the climate system, e.g. as covered in the course 'Klimasysteme' is required. Examination: graded tutorials during the semester (benotete Semesterleistung) | ||||