Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020
Earth and Climate Sciences Bachelor  | ||||||
 Majors | ||||||
| Major: Climate and Water Advisor of the BSc-major "Climate and Water" is Dr. Hanna Joos, Institute for climate and atmosphere (IAC). | ||||||
| Advanced | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701-0471-01L | Atmospheric Chemistry | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Ammann, T. Peter | |
| Abstract | The lecture provides an introduction to atmospheric chemistry at bachelor level. It introduces the kinetics of gas phase reactions, the concept of solubility and reactions in aerosols and in clouds and explains the chemical and physical mechanisms responsible for global (e.g. stratospheric ozone depletion) as well as regional (e.g. urban air pollution) environmental problems. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students will understand the basics of gas phase reactions and of reactions and processes in aerosols and clouds. The students will understand the most important chemical processes in the troposphere and the stratosphere. The students will also acquire a good understanding of atmospheric environmental problems including air pollution, changes to regional and global ozone formation and oxidation capacity, stratospheric ozone destruction, as well as the relationship between air pollution and climate change. | |||||
| Content | - Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), structure, large scale dynamics, UV radiation - Thermodynamics and kinetics of gas phase reactions: enthalpy and free energy of reactions, rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions. - Tropospheric photochemistry: Photolysis reactions, photochemical O3 formation, role and budget of HOx, dry and wet deposition - Aerosols and clouds: chemical properties, primary and secondary aerosol sources, solubility of gases, hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, SO2 oxidation, secondary organic aerosols - Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends - Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, Brewer-Dobson circulation, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol - Global aspects: global budgets of ozone, methane, CO and NOx, air quality - climate interactions | |||||
| Lecture notes | Vorlesungsunterlagen (Folien) werden laufend während des Semesters jeweils mind. 2 Tage vor der Vorlesung zur Verfügung gestellt. | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Attendance of the lecture "Atmosphäre" LV 701-0023-00L or equivalent is a pre-requisite, and basic courses in physics and chemistry are expected. On Mondays (or upon agreement) a tutorial is offered. This allows the students to discuss unresolved issues from the lecture or to discuss the problems of the exercise series. | |||||
| 701-0475-00L | Atmospheric Physics | W | 3 credits | 2G | U. Lohmann | |
| Abstract | This course covers the basics of atmospheric physics, which consist of: cloud and precipitation formation especially prediction of thunderstorm development, aerosol physics as well as artificial weather modification. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students are able - to explain the mechanisms of thunderstorm formation using knowledge of thermodynamics and cloud microphysics. - to evaluate the significance of clouds and aerosol particles for artificial weather modification. | |||||
| Content | Moist processes/thermodynamics; aerosol physics; cloud formation; precipitation processes, thunderstorms; importance of aerosols and clouds for weather modification | |||||
| Lecture notes | Powerpoint slides and chapters from the textbook will be made available | |||||
| Literature | Lohmann, U., Lüönd, F. and Mahrt, F., An Introduction to Clouds: From the Microscale to Climate, Cambridge Univ. Press, 391 pp., 2016. | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | 50% of the time we use the concept of "flipped classroom" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipped_classroom), which we introduce at the beginning. We offer a lab tour, in which we demonstrate how some of the processes discussed in the lectures are measured with instruments. There is a additional tutorial right after each lecture to give you the chance to ask further questions and discuss the exercises. The participation is recommended but voluntary. | |||||
| 651-3561-00L | Cryosphere | W | 3 credits | 2V | M. Huss, A. Bauder, D. Farinotti | |
| Abstract | The course introduces the different components of the cryosphere - snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, and permafrost - and their respective roles in the climate system. For each subsystem, essential physical aspects are emphasized, and their dynamics are described quantitatively and using examples. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students are able to - qualitatively explain relevant processes, feedbacks and relationships between the different components of the cryosphere, - quantify and interpret physical processes, which determine the state of the cryospheric components, with simple calculations. | |||||
| Content | The course provides an introduction into the various components of the cryosphere: snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, permafrost, and their roles in the climate system. Essential physical aspects are emphasized for each subsystem: e.g. the material properties of ice, mass balance and dynamics of glaciers, or the energy balance of sea ice. | |||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts will be distributed during the teaching semester | |||||
| Literature | Benn, D., & Evans, D. J. (2014). Glaciers and glaciation. Routledge. Cuffey, K. M., & Paterson, W. S. B. (2010). The physics of glaciers. Academic Press. Hooke, R. L. (2019). Principles of glacier mechanics. Cambridge University Press. Further literature will be indicated during the lecture. | |||||
| 701-0461-00L | Numerical Methods in Environmental Sciences | W | 3 credits | 2G | C. Schär | |
| Abstract | This 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. | |||||
| Learning objective | Overview of the potential and limitations of numerical models in the environmental sciences; Understanding of selected ordinary and partial differential equations; Knowledge of basic numerical methods for these equations; Ability to design and program simple numerical schemes. | |||||
| Content | Classification 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 notes | Per Web auf Link | |||||
| Literature | List of literature is provided. | |||||
| 701-0473-00L | Weather Systems | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. A. Sprenger, F. S. Scholder-Aemisegger | |
| Abstract | Satellite observations; analysis of vertical soundings; geostrophic and thermal wind; cyclones at mid-latitude; global circulation; north-atlantic oscillation; atmospheric blocking situtations; Eulerian and Lagrangian perspective; potential vorticity; Alpine dynamics (storms, orographic wind); planetary boundary layer | |||||
| Learning objective | The students are able to - explain up-to-date meteorological observation techniques and the basic methods of theoretical atmospheric dynamics - to discuss the mathematical basis of atmospheric dynamics, based on selected atmospheric flow phenomena - to explain the basic dynamics of the global circulation and of synoptic- and meso-scale flow features - to explain how mountains influence the atmospheric flow on different scales | |||||
| Content | Satellite observations; analysis of vertical soundings; geostrophic and thermal wind; cyclones at mid-latitude; global circulation; north-atlantic oscillation; atmospheric blocking situtations; Eulerian and Lagrangian perspective; potential vorticity; Alpine dynamics (storms, orographic wind); planetary boundary layer | |||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes and slides | |||||
| Literature | Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, Academic Press | |||||
| Electives The electives listed are recommended. Additional courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich. | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 401-0649-00L | Applied Statistical Regression | W | 5 credits | 2V + 1U | M. Dettling | |
| Abstract | This course offers a practically oriented introduction into regression modeling methods. The basic concepts and some mathematical background are included, with the emphasis lying in learning "good practice" that can be applied in every student's own projects and daily work life. A special focus will be laid in the use of the statistical software package R for regression analysis. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students acquire advanced practical skills in linear regression analysis and are also familiar with its extensions to generalized linear modeling. | |||||
| Content | The course starts with the basics of linear modeling, and then proceeds to parameter estimation, tests, confidence intervals, residual analysis, model choice, and prediction. More rarely touched but practically relevant topics that will be covered include variable transformations, multicollinearity problems and model interpretation, as well as general modeling strategies. The last third of the course is dedicated to an introduction to generalized linear models: this includes the generalized additive model, logistic regression for binary response variables, binomial regression for grouped data and poisson regression for count data. | |||||
| Lecture notes | A script will be available. | |||||
| Literature | Faraway (2005): Linear Models with R Faraway (2006): Extending the Linear Model with R Draper & Smith (1998): Applied Regression Analysis Fox (2008): Applied Regression Analysis and GLMs Montgomery et al. (2006): Introduction to Linear Regression Analysis | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The exercises, but also the classes will be based on procedures from the freely available, open-source statistical software package R, for which an introduction will be held. In the Mathematics Bachelor and Master programmes, the two course units 401-0649-00L "Applied Statistical Regression" and 401-3622-00L "Statistical Modelling" are mutually exclusive. Registration for the examination of one of these two course units is only allowed if you have not registered for the examination of the other course unit. | |||||
| 701-0535-00L | Environmental Soil Physics/Vadose Zone Hydrology | W | 3 credits | 2G + 2U | P. U. Lehmann Grunder | |
| Abstract | The course provides theoretical and practical foundations for understanding and characterizing physical and transport properties of soils/ near-surface earth materials, and quantifying hydrological processes and fluxes of mass and energy at multiple scales. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students are able to - characterize porous media at different scales - parameterize structural, flow and transport properties of partially-saturated porous media - quantify driving forces and resulting fluxes of water, solute, and heat in soils - explain links between physical processes in the vadose-zone and major societal and environmental challenges | |||||
| Content | Weeks 1 to 3: Physical Properties of Soils and Other Porous Media – Units and dimensions, definitions and basic mass-volume relationships between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases; soil texture; particle size distributions; surface area; soil structure. Soil colloids and clay behavior Soil Water Content and its Measurement - Definitions; measurement methods - gravimetric, neutron scattering, gamma attenuation; and time domain reflectometry; soil water storage and water balance. Weeks 4 to 5: Soil Water Retention and Potential (Hydrostatics) - The energy state of soil water; total water potential and its components; properties of water (molecular, surface tension, and capillary rise); modern aspects of capillarity in porous media; units and calculations and measurement of equilibrium soil water potential components; soil water characteristic curves definitions and measurements; parametric models; hysteresis. Modern aspects of capillarity Weeks 6 to 9: Water Flow in Soil - Hydrodynamics: Part 1 - Laminar flow in tubes (Poiseuille's Law); Darcy's Law, conditions and states of flow; saturated flow; hydraulic conductivity and its measurement. Part 2 - Unsaturated steady state flow; unsaturated hydraulic conductivity models and applications; non-steady flow and Richards equation; approximate solutions to infiltration (Green-Ampt, Philip); field methods for estimating soil hydraulic properties. Part 3 - Use of Hydrus model for simulation of unsaturated flow Week 10: Solute Transport in Soils; Transport mechanisms of solutes in porous media; breakthrough curves; convection-dispersion equation; solutions for pulse and step solute application; parameter estimation; salt balance. Week 11: Gas transport in soil and biological processes; gas diffusion as function of water content, Fickian law, biological activity and respiration; root water uptake; soil structure Week 12 to 13: Energy Balance and Land Atmosphere Interactions - Radiation and energy balance; evapotranspiration definitions and estimation; transpiration, plant development and transpirtation coefficients; small and large scale influences on hydrological cycle; surface evaporation. Week 14: Temperature and Heat Flow in Porous Media - Soil thermal properties; steady state heat flow; nonsteady heat flow; estimation of thermal properties; engineering applications. | |||||
| Lecture notes | Classnotes: Vadose Zone Hydrology, by Or D., J.M. Wraith, and M. Tuller (available at the beginning of the semester) | |||||
| Literature | Supplemental textbook (not mandatory) -Environmental Soil Physics, by: D. Hillel | |||||
| 401-0624-00L | Mathematics IV: Statistics  | W | 4 credits | 2V + 1U | J. Ernest | |
| Abstract | Introduction to basic methods and fundamental concepts of statistics and probability theory for practicioners in natural sciences. The concepts will be illustrated with some real data examples. The lecture will be held in German. | |||||
| Learning objective | Capacity to learn from data; good practice when dealing with data and recognizing possible fraud in statistics; basic knowledge about the laws of randomness and stochastic thinking (thinking in probabilities); apply simple methods in inferential statistics (e.g., several hypothesis tests will be introduced). The lecture will be held in German. | |||||
| Content | Beschreibende Statistik (einschliesslich graphischer Methoden). Einführung in die Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung (Grundregeln, Zufallsvariable, diskrete und stetige Verteilungen, Ausblick auf Grenzwertsätze). Methoden der Analytischen Statistik: Schätzungen, Tests (einschliesslich Binomialtest, t-Test, Vorzeichentest, F-Test, Wilcoxon-Test), Vertrauensintervalle, Prognoseintervalle, Korrelation, einfache und multiple lineare Regression. | |||||
| Lecture notes | Skript zur Vorlesung ist erhältlich. | |||||
| Literature | Stahel, W.: Statistische Datenanalyse. Vieweg 1995, 3. Auflage 2000 (als ergänzende Lektüre) | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Die Übungen (ca. die Hälfte der Kontaktstunden; einschliesslich Computerübungen) sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Lehrveranstaltung. Voraussetzungen: Mathematik I, II | |||||
| » Choice of courses from the complete offerings of ETH. | ||||||
| 701-0479-00L | Environmental Fluid Dynamics | W | 3 credits | 2G | H. Wernli, M. Röthlisberger | |
| Abstract | This course covers the basic physical concepts and mathematical equations used to describe environmental fluid systems on the rotating Earth. Fundamental concepts (e.g. vorticity dynamics and waves) are formally introduced, applied quantitatively and illustrated using examples. Exercises help to deepen knowledge of the material. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students are able - to name the bases, concepts and methods of environmental fluid dynamics. - to understand and discuss the components of the basic physical equations in fluid dynamics - to apply basic mathematical equations to simple problems of environmental fluid dynamics | |||||
| Content | Basic physial terminology and mathematical laws: Continuum hypothesis, forces, constitutive laws, state equations and basic principles of thermodynamics, kinematics, laws of mass and momentum on rotating earth. Concepts and illustrative flow sytems: vorticity dynamics, boundary layers, instability, turbulence - with respect to environmental fluid systems. Scale analysis: dimensionles variables and dynamical similarity, simplification of the fluid system, e.g. shallow water assumption, geostrophic flow. Waves in environmental fluid systems. | |||||
| Lecture notes | In english language | |||||
| Literature | Will be presnted in class. See also: web-site. | |||||
| 401-6215-00L | Using R for Data Analysis and Graphics (Part I) | W | 1.5 credits | 1G | M. Mächler | |
| Abstract | The course provides the first part an introduction to the statistical software R (https://www.r-project.org/) for scientists. Topics covered are data generation and selection, graphical and basic statistical functions, creating simple functions, basic types of objects. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students will be able to use the software R for simple data analysis and graphics. | |||||
| Content | The course provides the first part of an introduction to the statistical software R for scientists. R is free software that contains a huge collection of functions with focus on statistics and graphics. If one wants to use R one has to learn the programming language R - on very rudimentary level. The course aims to facilitate this by providing a basic introduction to R. Part I of the course covers the following topics: - What is R? - R Basics: reading and writing data from/to files, creating vectors & matrices, selecting elements of dataframes, vectors and matrices, arithmetics; - Types of data: numeric, character, logical and categorical data, missing values; - Simple (statistical) functions: summary, mean, var, etc., simple statistical tests; - Writing simple functions; - Introduction to graphics: scatter-, boxplots and other high-level plotting functions, embellishing plots by title, axis labels, etc., adding elements (lines, points) to existing plots. The course focuses on practical work at the computer. We will make use of the graphical user interface RStudio: www.rstudio.org Note: Part I of UsingR is complemented and extended by Part II, which is offered during the second part of the semester and which can be taken independently from Part I. | |||||
| Lecture notes | An Introduction to R. http://stat.ethz.ch/CRAN/doc/contrib/Lam-IntroductionToR_LHL.pdf | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course resources will be provided via the Moodle web learning platform. Subscribing via Mystudies should *automatically* make you a student participant of the Moodle course of this lecture, which is at https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=13499 ALL material is available on this moodle page. | |||||
| Laboratory Course The practical takes place in spring semester. | ||||||
| Bachelor's Seminar | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 701-0459-00L | Seminar for Bachelor Students: Atmosphere and Climate | O | 3 credits | 2S | R. Knutti, H. Joos, O. Stebler | |
| Abstract | In this seminar all students in the realm of atmospheric and climate science from D-USYS and D-ERDW convene. Every participant gives a presentation about a scientific publication. The publications are selected by the research groups of the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science (IAC). Thus, the students gain detailed insight into the research at IAC. | |||||
| Learning objective | In this seminar all students in the realm of atmospheric and climate science from D-USYS and D-ERDW convene. By means of classical and modern scientific articles it is trained to extract the scientific key points of the publication, to put them into context and critically discuss the results and present them in talks and posters. | |||||
| Content | 1st week: course organisation and presentation of the institute and the research groups 2nd and 3rd week: introduction to oral presentation techniques 4th week: Workshop "Ask questions" week 5 to 13: students talks 14th week: concluding poster presentation | |||||
| Lecture notes | Documents are offered via the course's web page. | |||||
| Literature | Documents are offered via the course's web page. | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course can only be offered to a limited number of students, however, in any case for everybody having to attend it compulsory. We beg you to sign in to this course early. | |||||
Page
1
of
1
