Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020
Environmental Sciences Master | ||||||
Major in Atmosphere and Climate | ||||||
Hydrology and Water Cycle | ||||||
Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
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701-1251-00L | Land-Climate Dynamics Number of participants limited to 36. | W | 3 credits | 2G | E. L. Davin, R. Padrón Flasher, S. I. Seneviratne | |
Abstract | The purpose of this course is to provide fundamental background on the role of land surface processes (vegetation, soil moisture dynamics, land energy and water balances) in the climate system. The course consists of 2 contact hours per week, including lectures, group projects and computer exercises. | |||||
Learning objective | The students can understand the role of land processes and associated feedbacks in the climate system. | |||||
Lecture notes | Powerpoint slides will be made available | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisites: Introductory lectures in atmospheric and climate science Atmospheric physics -> Link and/or Climate systems -> Link | |||||
701-1253-00L | Analysis of Climate and Weather Data | W | 3 credits | 2G | C. Frei | |
Abstract | An introduction into methods of statistical data analysis in meteorology and climatology. Applications of hypothesis testing, extreme value analysis, evaluation of deterministic and probabilistic predictions, principal component analysis. Participants understand the theoretical concepts and purpose of methods, can apply them independently and know how to interpret results professionally. | |||||
Learning objective | Students understand the theoretical foundations and probabilistic concepts of advanced analysis tools in meteorology and climatology. They can conduct such analyses independently, and they develop an attitude of scrutiny and an awareness of uncertainty when interpreting results. Participants improve skills in understanding technical literature that uses modern statistical data analyses. | |||||
Content | The course introduces several advanced methods of statistical data analysis frequently used in meteorology and climatology. It introduces the thoretical background of the methods, illustrates their application with example datasets, and discusses complications from assumptions and uncertainties. Generally, the course shall empower students to conduct data analysis thoughtfully and to interprete results critically. Topics covered: exploratory methods, hypothesis testing, analysis of climate trends, measuring the skill of deterministic and probabilistic predictions, analysis of extremes, principal component analysis and maximum covariance analysis. The course is divided into lectures and computer workshops. Hands-on experimentation with example data shall encourage students in the practical application of methods and train professional interpretation of results. R (a free software environment for statistical computing) will be used during the workshop. A short introduction into R will be provided during the course. | |||||
Lecture notes | Documentation and supporting material: - slides used during the lecture - excercise sets and solutions - R-packages with software and example datasets for workshop sessions All material is made available via the lecture web-page. | |||||
Literature | For complementary reading: - Wilks D.S., 2011: Statistical Methods in the Atmospheric Science. (3rd edition). Academic Press Inc., Elsevier LTD (Oxford) - Coles S., 2001: An introduction to statistical modeling of extreme values. Springer, London. 208 pp. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisites: Basics in exploratory data analysis, probability calculus and statistics (incl linear regression) (e.g. Mathematik IV: Statistik (401-0624-00L) and Mathematik VI: Angewandte Statistik für Umweltnaturwissenschaften (701-0105-00L)). Some experience in programming (ideally in R). Some elementary background in atmospheric physics and climatology. | |||||
102-0237-00L | Hydrology II | W | 3 credits | 2G | P. Molnar | |
Abstract | The course presents advanced hydrological analyses of rainfall-runoff processes. The course is given in English. | |||||
Learning objective | Tools for hydrological modelling are discussed at the event and continuous scale. The focus is on the description of physical processes and their modelisation with practical examples. | |||||
Content | Monitoring of hydrological systems (point and space monitoring, remote sensing). The use of GIS in hydrology (practical applications). General concepts of watershed modelling. Infiltration. IUH models. Event based rainfall-runoff modelling. Continuous rainfall-runoff models (components and prrocesses). Example of modelling with the PRMS model. Calibration and validation of models. Flood routing (unsteady flow, hydrologic routing, examples). The course contains an extensive semester project. | |||||
Lecture notes | Parts of the script for "Hydrology I" are used. Also available are the overhead transparencies used in the lectures. The semester project consists of a two part instruction manual. | |||||
Literature | Additional literature is presented during the course. | |||||
102-0468-10L | Watershed Modelling | W | 6 credits | 4G | P. Molnar, N. Peleg | |
Abstract | Watershed Modelling is a practical course on numerical water balance models for a range of catchment-scale water resource applications. The course covers GIS use in watershed analysis, models types from conceptual to physically-based, parameter calibration and model validation, and analysis of uncertainty. The course combines theory (lectures) with a series of practical tasks (exercises). | |||||
Learning objective | The main aim of the course is to provide practical training with watershed models for environmental engineers. The course is built on thematic lectures (2 hrs a week) and practical exercises (2 hrs a week). Theory and concepts in the lectures are underpinned by many examples from scientific studies. A comprehensive exercise block builds on the lectures with a series of 5 practical tasks to be conducted during the semester in group work. Exercise hours during the week focus on explanation of the tasks. The course is evaluated 50% by performance in the graded exercises and 50% by a semester-end oral examination (30 mins) on watershed modelling concepts. | |||||
Content | The first part (A) of the course is on watershed properties analysed from DEMs, and on global sources of hydrological data for modelling applications. Here students learn about GIS applications (ArcGIS, Q-GIS) in hydrology - flow direction routines, catchment morphometry, extracting river networks, and defining hydrological response units. In the second part (B) of the course on conceptual watershed models students build their own simple bucket model (Matlab, Python), they learn about performance measures in modelling, how to calibrate the parameters and how to validate models, about methods to simulate stochastic climate to drive models, uncertainty analysis. The third part (C) of the course is focussed on physically-based model components. Here students learn about components for soil water fluxes and evapotranspiration, they practice with a fully-distributed physically-based model Topkapi-ETH, and learn about other similar models. They apply Topkapi-ETH to an alpine catchment and study simulated discharge, snow, soil moisture and evapotranspiration spatial patterns. The final part (D) of the course provides open classroom discussion and simulation of a round-table discussion between modellers and clients about using watershed models in a case study. | |||||
Lecture notes | There is no textbook. Learning materials consist of (a) video-recording of lectures; (b) lecture presentations; and (c) exercise task documents that allow independent work. | |||||
Literature | Literature consist of collections from standard hydrological textbooks and research papers, collected by the instructors on the course moodle page. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Basic Hydrology in Bachelor Studies (engineering, environmental sciences, earth sciences). Basic knowledge of Matlab (Python), ArcGIS (Q-GIS). | |||||
651-4053-05L | Boundary Layer Meteorology | Z | 4 credits | 3G | M. Rotach, P. Calanca | |
Abstract | The Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) constitutes the interface between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface. Theory on transport processes in the PBL and their dynamics is provided. This course treats theoretical background and idealized concepts. These are contrasted to real world applications and current research issues. | |||||
Learning objective | Overall goals of this course are given below. Focus is on the theoretical background and idealised concepts. Students have basic knowledge on atmospheric turbulence and theoretical as well as practical approaches to treat Planetary Boundary Layer flows. They are familiar with the relevant processes (turbulent transport, forcing) within, and typical states of the Planetary Boundary Layer. Idealized concepts are known as well as their adaptations under real surface conditions (as for example over complex topography). | |||||
Content | - Introduction - Turbulence - Statistical tratment of turbulence, turbulent transport - Conservation equations in a turbulent flow - Closure problem and closure assumptions - Scaling and similarity theory - Spectral characteristics - Concepts for non-ideal boundary layer conditions | |||||
Lecture notes | available (i.e. in English) | |||||
Literature | - Stull, R.B.: 1988, "An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology", (Kluwer), 666 pp. - Panofsky, H. A. and Dutton, J.A.: 1984, "Atmospheric Turbulence, Models and Methods for Engineering Applications", (J. Wiley), 397 pp. - Kaimal JC and Finningan JJ: 1994, Atmospheric Boundary Layer Flows, Oxford University Press, 289 pp. - Wyngaard JC: 2010, Turbulence in the Atmosphere, Cambridge University Press, 393pp. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Umwelt-Fluiddynamik (701-0479-00L) (environment fluid dynamics) or equivalent and basic knowledge in atmospheric science |
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