David N. Bresch: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2018

Name	Prof. Dr. David N. Bresch
Name variants	David N. Bresch David Bresch David Niklaus Bresch
Field	Weather and Climate Risks
Address	Professur Wetter- und Klimarisiken ETH Zürich, CHN K 73.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 77 87
E-mail	dbresch@ethz.ch
URL	https://wcr.ethz.ch/
Department	Environmental Systems Science
Relationship	Full Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
364-1058-00L	Risk Center Seminar Series Number of participants limited to 50.	0 credits	2S	A. Bommier, D. Basin, D. N. Bresch, L.‑E. Cederman, P. Cheridito, P. Embrechts, H. Gersbach, H. R. Heinimann, M. Larsson, W. Mimra, G. Sansavini, F. Schweitzer, D. Sornette, B. Stojadinovic, B. Sudret, U. A. Weidmann, S. Wiemer, M. Zeilinger, R. Zenklusen
Abstract	This course is a mixture between a seminar primarily for PhD and postdoc students and a colloquium involving invited speakers. It consists of presentations and subsequent discussions in the area of modeling and governing complex socio-economic systems, and managing risks and crises. Students and other guests are welcome.
Objective	Participants should learn to get an overview of the state of the art in the field, to present it in a well understandable way to an interdisciplinary scientific audience, to develop novel mathematical models and approaches for open problems, to analyze them with computers or other means, and to defend their results in response to critical questions. In essence, participants should improve their scientific skills and learn to work scientifically on an internationally competitive level.
Content	This course is a mixture between a seminar primarily for PhD and postdoc students and a colloquium involving invited speakers. It consists of presentations and subsequent discussions in the area of modeling complex socio-economic systems and crises. For details of the program see the webpage of the seminar. Students and other guests are welcome.
Lecture notes	There is no script, but the sessions will be recorded and be made available. Transparencies of the presentations may be put on the course webpage.
Literature	Literature will be provided by the speakers in their respective presentations.
Prerequisites / Notice	Participants should have relatively good scientific, in particular mathematical skills and some experience of how scientific work is performed.
651-4095-01L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1	1 credit	1K	H. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, H. Wernli, 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	H. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, H. Wernli, 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	H. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, K. Steffen, H. Wernli, 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.
701-0650-00L	Risk Analysis and Management	3 credits	2G	A. Patt, D. N. Bresch, J. Jörin
Abstract	This course introduced students to principles of quantitative risk analysis, across a wide variety of environmental areas including weather and climate, natural hazards, and toxic substances. It also introduces them to established practices of risk management, including regulatory approaches, insurance, and contingency planning.
Objective	- Competence in applying methods of quantitative risk analysis. - Understanding of common approaches towards risk management. - Understanding of the importance of risk and uncertainty in decision- and policy-making. - Ability to communicate risk information clearly and effectively.
Content	Statistics for risk analysis; Monte Carlo simulation; toxicology and epidemiology; exposure assessment; fault tree analysis; risk in decision-making; risk perception and communication; loss spreading and insurance; mitigating natural hazard losses; risk and climate change policy.
Prerequisites / Notice	none
701-0658-00L	Seminar for Bachelor Students: Anthroposphere This course takes place in autumn semester beginning autumn semester 2018.	2 credits	2S	A. Müller, D. N. Bresch, A. Patt, M. Siegrist
Abstract	Analysis and presentation of scientific articles in the domain of Human Environment Systems with focus on the relevant methods and theories. Skills in literature research concerning a given topic in the ISI Web of Knowledge.
Objective	The sudents have to read current scientific articles on research issues in the field of Human-Environment-Relations and to learn to understand them, to present them in a summarized form, to document the most important points (including methods), to search for publications in the web of knowledge (ISI) and to give a constructive critical assessment of them.
Content	Das Forschungsfeld Mensch-Umwelt Beziehung ist gekennzeichnet durch eine grosse Themen- und Methodenvielfalt. Dies kommt unter anderem in den wissenschaftlichen Beiträgen der an der Veranstaltung beteiligten Professuren zum Ausdruck. Die Studierenden wählen aus einem breiten Angebot eine wissenschaftliche Publikation aus und referieren darüber im Seminar (s.o. link). Erwartet wird insbesondere das Herausarbeiten der Fragestellung, die Beschreibung der gewählten Methode, die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse des Beitrages sowie offene Fragen bzw. zukünftige Forschungsfragen. Zusätzlich zum verarbeiteten Artikel sollen zwei weitere Publikation aus dem ISI Web of Knowledge zum gleichen Thema recherchiert und zum präsentierten Artikel in Bezug gesetzt werden. Durch Teilnahme an der Diskussion der präsentierten Artikel wird zudem das Stellen und Beantworten von Fragen zur Präsentation geübt.
Lecture notes	keines
Literature	Es wird eine Liste von Publikationen aus den an der Veranstaltung beiteiligten Professuren abgegeben.
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 (MATLAB), 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)