Christoph Schär: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2019

Name Prof. em. Dr. Christoph Schär
FieldClimate and Water Cycle
Address
Institut für Atmosphäre und Klima
ETH Zürich, CHN L 12.1
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 81 99
E-mailschaer@env.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.iac.ethz.ch/people/schaer/
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipProfessor emeritus

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
151-8007-00LUrban Physics Information 3 credits3GJ. Carmeliet, D. W. Brunner, A. Rubin, C. Schär, H. Wernli, J. M. Wunderli
AbstractUrban physics: wind, wind comfort, pollutant dispersion, natural ventilation, driving rain, heat islands, climate change and weather conditions, urban acoustics and energy use in the urban context.
Objective- Basic knowledge of the global climate and the local microclimate around buildings
- Impact of urban environment on wind, ventilation, rain, pollutants, acoustics and energy, and their relation to comfort, durability, air quality and energy demand
- Application of urban physics concepts in urban design
Content- Climate Change. The Global Picture: global energy balance, global climate models, the IPCC process. Towards regional climate scenarios: role of spatial resolution, overview of approaches, hydrostatic RCMs, cloud-resolving RCMs
- Urban micro climate and comfort: urban heat island effect, wind flow and radiation in the built environment, convective heat transport modelling, heat balance and ventilation of urban spaces - impact of morphology, outdoor wind comfort, outdoor thermal comfort,
- Urban energy and urban design. Energy performance of building quarters and cities, decentralized urban energy production and storage technologies, district heating networks, optimization of energy consumption at district level, effect of the micro climate, urban heat islands, and climate change on the energy performance of buildings and building blocks.
- Wind driving rain (WDR): WDR phenomena, WDR experimental and modeling, wind blocking effect, applications and moisture durability
- Pollutant dispersion. pollutant cycle : emission, transport and deposition, air quality
- Urban acoustics. noise propagation through the urban environment, meteorological effects, urban acoustic modeling, noise reduction measures, urban vegetation
Lecture notesThe course lectures and material are available on the Website for download (http://www.carmeliet.ethz.ch/teaching/documents--netz-account-.html).
Prerequisites / NoticeNo prior knowledge is required.
401-5930-00LSeminar in Physics of the Atmosphere for CSE4 credits2SH. Joos, C. Schär
AbstractThe students of this course are provided with an introduction into presentation techniques (talks and posters) and practice this knowledge by making an oral presentation about a classical or recent scientific publication.
Objective
651-2915-00LSeminar in Hydrology0 credits1SP. Burlando, J. W. Kirchner, S. Löw, D. Or, C. Schär, M. Schirmer, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Stähli, C. H. Stamm, University lecturers
Abstract
Objective
651-4095-01LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1 Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, H. Wernli, M. Wild
AbstractThe 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.
ObjectiveThe students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
651-4095-02LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2 Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, H. Wernli, M. Wild
AbstractThe 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.
ObjectiveThe students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
651-4095-03LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3 Restricted registration - show details 1 credit1KH. Joos, C. Schär, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, S. I. Seneviratne, H. Wernli, M. Wild
AbstractThe 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.
ObjectiveThe students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
701-0027-00LEnvironmental Systems I2 credits2VC. Schär, S. Bonhoeffer, N. Dubois
AbstractThe lecture provides a science-based exploration of environmental aspects from three research fields: earth, climate, and health sciences.
ObjectiveThe students are able to explain important properties of the three environmental systems, to discuss critical drivers, trends and conflicts of their use, and to compare potential solutions.
ContentThe lecture discusses the role of the environmental systems based on selected environmental problems, among these the exploration of raw materials and fossil fuels, climate change and its impacts on man and environment, and the spread and control of infectious diseases in the human population and agricultural systems.
Lecture notesSlides are provided by instructors and are accessible via moodle.
701-0461-AALNumerical Methods in Environmental Sciences Information
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 credits6RC. Schär
AbstractThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
ObjectiveThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
ContentClassification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, an overview of spectral and finite-element methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science.

Three obligatory exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Matlab (previous experience not necessary: a Matlab introduction is given). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied.
Lecture notesIs provided (CHF 10.- per copy).
LiteratureList of literature is provided.
701-0461-00LNumerical Methods in Environmental Sciences Information 3 credits2GC. Schär
AbstractThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
ObjectiveThis lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of
numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
ContentClassification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, an overview of spectral and finite-element methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science.

Three obligatory exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Python (previous experience not necessary: a Phython introduction is given). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied.
Lecture notesPer Web auf http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/bachelor/vertiefung/numerical-methods-in-environmental-physics.html
LiteratureList of literature is provided.
701-1257-00LEuropean Climate Change3 credits2GC. Schär, J. Rajczak, S. C. Scherrer
AbstractThe lecture provides an overview of climate change in Europe, from a physical and atmospheric science perspective. It covers the following topics:
• observational datasets, observation and detection of climate change;
• underlying physical processes and feedbacks;
• numerical and statistical approaches;
• currently available projections.
ObjectiveAt the end of this course, participants should:
• understand the key physical processes shaping climate change in Europe;
• know about the methodologies used in climate change studies, encompassing observational, numerical, as well as statistical approaches;
• be familiar with relevant observational and modeling data sets;
• be able to tackle simple climate change questions using available data sets.
ContentContents:
• global context
• observational data sets, analysis of climate trends and climate variability in Europe
• global and regional climate modeling
• statistical downscaling
• key aspects of European climate change: intensification of the water cycle, Polar and Mediterranean amplification, changes in extreme events, changes in hydrology and snow cover, topographic effects
• projections of European and Alpine climate change
Lecture notesSlides and lecture notes will be made available at
http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/electives/european-climate-change.html
Prerequisites / NoticeParticipants should have a background in natural sciences, and have attended introductory lectures in atmospheric sciences or meteorology.