Mark Lever: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019 |
| Name | Dr. Mark Lever |
| Field | Environmental Microbiology |
| Address | Professur für Umweltmikrobiologie ETH Zürich, CHN G 50.3 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 85 27 |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Assistant Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 551-0386-00L | Microbial Ecology  Number of participants limited to 15. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. | 6 credits | 7G | M. Lever | |
| Abstract | Microorganisms can be found in most terrestrial and aquatic habitats where they catalyze a broad variety of biological and biogeochemical processes. Throughout the course „Microbial Ecology“ the basic concepts of microbial structures and functions in natural ecosystems are discussed. Excursions, lab experiments and literature studies help to illustrate selected topics. | ||||
| Objective | In this course, students shall familiarize themselves with the basic and essential understanding of what enables microbial life in its natural habitat. Students will understand what essential factors are needed to support microbial life in its natural habitat. Course participants will also be able to identify and determine the microbial structures and functions in aquatic and terrestrial systems, both qualitatively and quantitatively. | ||||
| Content | Der Kurs umfasst Vorlesungen, experimentelle Arbeiten, Exkursionen und Literaturstudien. Teile der Vorlesung “Umweltmikrobiologie“ (Dozenten M. Lever & M. Schroth) werden in den Kurs inkorporiert. Im Rahmen von experimentellen Arbeiten werden die Studierenden lernen, traditionelle wie auch molekulare mikrobiologische Methoden gezielt einzusetzen. Darüber hinaus werden die Studierenden lernen, mikrobiell ökologische Fragestellungen mit Hilfe von biogeochemischen Methoden anzugehen. Ausgewählte Facetten der mikrobiellen Ökologie (z.B. Quellen und Senken von Methan, Interaktion von Mikroorganismen mit mineralischen Oberflächen, mikrobielle Energie- und Nährstoffkreisläufe) werden mit Hilfe von Exkursionen und Literaturstudien vertieft. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Schriftliche Unterlagen werden im Verlaufe des Kurses abgegeben. | ||||
| Literature | Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Prentice Hall, 2003 | ||||
| 701-0208-00L | Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Prerequisites: Chemistry I & II and Microbiology. | 1 credit | 1G | G. Furrer, M. Lever, K. McNeill | |
| Abstract | With excursions the students gain insights into scientific as well as practical aspects of various areas in which environmental chemistry and microbiology play a key role. Topics include a.o. waste water treatment, landfills, drinking water purification, impact of agriculture on surface water quality and environmental assessment of synthetic chemicals. | ||||
| Objective | Learning of typical problems in environmental chemistry and microbiology. Applying basic knowledge of chemistry and microbiology to environmentally relevant problems. | ||||
| Content | Discussion of case studies combined with excursions. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Moodle (https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=3860) Zusätzliche Unterlagen werden evtl. abgegeben. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Chemistry I and II and Microbiology | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 701-1310-00L | Environmental Microbiology | 3 credits | 2V | M. H. Schroth, M. Lever | |
| Abstract | Microorganisms catalyze a large number of reactions that are of great importance to terrestrial and aquatic environments. To improve our understanding of the dynamics of a specific environment, it is important to gain a better understanding of microbial structures and their functions under varying environmental conditions. | ||||
| Objective | Students will learn basic concepts in microbial ecology. Qualitative and quantitative concepts will be presented to assess microbial communities and associated processes in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Microbial diversity in such ecosystems will be illustrated in discussions of selected habitats. | ||||
| Content | Lectures will cover general concepts of environmental microbiology including (i) quantification of microbial processes, (ii) energy fluxes in microbial ecosystems, (iii) application of state-of-the-art microbiological and molecular tools, and (iv) use of isotope methods for identification of microbial structures and functions. Topics to illustrate the microbial diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems will include (i) interactions between microbes and mineral/metallic solid phases, (ii) microbial carbon and nutrient cycling, (iii) microbial processes involved in the turnover of greenhouse gases, (iv) biofilms and microbial mats, (v) bioremediation, (vi) microorganisms in extreme habitats, and (vii) microbial evolution and astrobiology. | ||||
| Lecture notes | available at time of lecture - will be distributed electronically as pdf's | ||||
| Literature | Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Madigan M. et al., Pearson, 14th ed., 2015 | ||||