Timothy Ian Eglinton: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2022 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Timothy Ian Eglinton |
| Field | Biogeosciences |
| Address | Geologisches Institut ETH Zürich, NO G 59 Sonneggstrasse 5 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 633 92 91 |
| timothy.eglinton@eaps.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Earth and Planetary Sciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 651-1091-00L | Colloquium Department Earth Sciences | 0 credits | 1K | T. I. Eglinton, C. Magnabosco | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Invited speakers from the entire range of Earth Sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Selected themes in sedimentology, tectonics, paläontology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy, paleoclimate and engineering geology on a regional and global scale. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | According to variable program. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | No | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | No | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-4143-00L | Geobiology Students registering for the course confirm having read and accepted the terms and conditions for excursions and field courses of D-ERDW: Link | 3 credits | 2V + 1U | T. I. Eglinton, C. Magnabosco, C. Welte, S. Wohlwend | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | We will study traces in the lithosphere that have been left behind by organisms during the course of Earth history and mineral components, which were built through biological processes or used as sources of energy and nutrients by organisms. Traces of life from the past will be compared with the development of the diversity of today's organisms. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The course will allow you to ask questions about the origin and the evolution of life on Earth, to understand contemporary hypotheses and create new methods of developing them further. Theory is supplemented with observations in the field, exercises and the application of simple mathematical models. The course will enable you to integrate geobiological knowledge into topics that will be taught in subsequent earth science courses and into the current understanding of Earth history. You will learn to better understand modern geological settings and, if necessary, to recommend biogeochemically well-founded and responsible interventions or protective measures. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course focuses on (a) geobiochemical cycles that play major roles in Earth history in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, (b) biosynthetic and metabolic processes, which are essential for life, (c) organisms which regulate and maintain geochemical cycling, and (d) chemical signals of past life in the geological record. Accordingly, we must understand -- how biological cells and its components are built from essential elements and molecules, -- how cells function and which life styles organisms developed, -- where organisms can exist and which factors select for their presence, -- where biologically useable forms of energy come from, and under which conditions they can be exploited, -- how biological metabolism can change environmental conditions and composition, -- which biological products can lead to signals preserved in the rock record, and how biomolecules and elements are altered in sedimentary deposits, -- how organic and inorganic components are cycled through the biosphere, and how biogeochemical cycles function, -- how "biological innovations" evolved and changed in response to environmental changes. Applied Case Studies, which supplement and illustrate the contents: -- Scientific applications of geobiological knowledge are found in fields like Microbial Ecology, Geochemistry, Palaeontology, Sedimentology, Petrology, Ocean Research, Environmental Sciences, Astrobiology and Archaeology. -- Practical applications of geobiological knowledge are needed in fields like stabilisation of existing and design of safe waste repositories, surveilling ground water resources, sewage treatment, exploitation of and prospecting for fossil carbon sources, soil remediation, mineral exploration and leaching, forensic science and medicine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Als integraler Bestandteil der Vorlesung wird eine Exkursion durchgeführt. Mit der Belegung akzeptieren die Studierenden die Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen für Exkursionen und Feldkurse des D-ERDW: https://www.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/erdw/department/dokumente/studium/exkursionen/AGB_ERDW_Exkursionen_dt.pdf | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-4341-00L | Source to Sink Sedimentary Systems  | 3 credits | 2G | T. I. Eglinton, J. Hemingway, L. Bröder, S. Dötterl | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The transfer and redistribution of mass and chemical elements at the Earth’s surface is controlled by a wide range of processes that will affect the magnitude and nature of fluxes exported from continental fluvial systems. This course addresses the production, transport, and deposition of sediments from source to sink and their interaction with biogeochemical cycles. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course aims at integrating different earth science disciplines (geomorphology, geochemistry, and tectonics) to gain a better understanding of the physical and biogeochemical processes at work across the sediment production, routing, and depositional systems. It will provide insight into how it is actually possible to “see a world in a grain of sand” by taking into account the cascade of physical and chemical processes that shaped and modified sediments and chemical elements from their source to their sink. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Lectures will introduce the main source to sink concepts and cover physical and biogeochemical processes in upland, sediment producing areas (glacial and periglacial processes; mass movements; hillslopes and soil processes/development; critical zone biogeochemical processes). Field excursion (3 days, 30 September -2 October 2022): will cover the upper Rhône from the Rhône glacier to the Rhône delta in Lake Geneva) as small scale source-to-sink system. Practicals comprise (I) a small autonomous project on the Rhône catchment based on samples collected during the field trip and (II) an independent report on how you would design, build, and implement your own source-to-sink study. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes are provided online during the course. They summarize the current subjects week by week and provide the essential theoretical background. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Suggested references : - "Sediment routing systems: the fate of sediments from Source to Sink" by Philip A. Allen (Cambridge University Press) - "Principles of soilscape and landscape evolution by Garry Willgoose" (Cambridge University Press) - "Geomorphology, the mechanics and chemistry of landscapes" by Robert S. Anderson & Suzanne P. Anderson (Cambridge University Press) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-6001-00L | Ethics and Scientific Integrity for Doctoral Students of D-ERDW | 1 credit | 2S | T. I. Eglinton, H. Stoll | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course sensitises doctoral students to ethical issues that may occur during their doctorate. After an introduction to ethics and good scientific practice, students are familiarised with resources that can assist them with ethical decision-making. Students get the chance to apply their knowledge in a discipline specific context. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Doctoral students learn how to identify, analyse and address ethical issues in their own scientific research. In addition, they will reflect on their professional role as scientific researchers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Part I The self-paced e-learning course consists of 5 modules: Module 1: Ethics - Introduction to moral theory (with emphasis on practical guidance regarding decision making) Module 2: Ethics in scientific research - Introduction to ethical issues that occur within scientific research (i.e. regarding authorship, cooperation, data use and sharing, and other aspects that are subject to scientific integrity and good scientific practice). Module 3: Collecting resources - A variety of tools and resources that help identify ethical issues are presented and explained Module 4: Setting up a strategy - Example examination of a case regarding its ethical scope (students develop their own strategy to examine situations for their ethical implications). Module 5: Making desicions - Different ways of addressing ethical issues are presented and explained (i.e. how to make hard choices, or solve ethical dilemmas. But also where to seek advice if needed). Part II The second, face-to-face part of this course focuses on discipline-specific aspects. It provides an interactive learning environment. Students get to apply their knowledge, and they are encouraged to reflect on ethical problems and to critically discuss them with fellow doctoral students. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | For Doctoral Students of D-ERDW only | ||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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