Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Number	Title	Type	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
Physics Teaching Diploma Detailed information on the programme at: www.didaktischeausbildung.ethz.ch
Spec. Courses in Resp. Subj. w/ Educ. Focus & Further Subj. Didactics Core courses that counted towards the Bachelor or Master programme in physics or comprised additional admission requirements in subject didactics are not eligible for the teaching diploma.
402-0742-00L	Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II)	W	6 credits	2V + 1U	P. Morf
Abstract	This second part of the lecture on Energy and Environment in the 21st century covers the state of human civilization and its impact on the environment. We find many unsustainable aspects and try to investigate the consequences. Can we find and maintain a sustainable way of life? Do we find scientific measures and ethical guidelines to stay within the planetary boundaries?
Learning objective	Can we find a scientifically useful definition of sustainability? We try to understand the unsustainable aspects of our current lifestyle and our society. Investigate the unsustainable use of ressources, environmental destruction, climate change and mass extinctions. How long can humanity continue on its current unsustainable path, what are the possible consequences? Historical examples of society collapse. What can we learn from them - can we? What about existing models/experiments promise to transform the human society into the direction of sustainability? Which guide lines and transformational designs can we follow into a sustainable world?
Content	Introduction to "sustainability" (26.2.) Population Dynamik (5.3.) Finite (energy)-resources (12.3.) Waste problems (19.3.) Water, soil and industrial agriculture (26.3.) Biodiversity (16.4.) Limits to growth (23.4.) Over the limits (30.4.) Growth, de-growth and the doughnut economy (7.5) Sustainability, how to achieve? (14.5.) Interdisciplinary environmental science (21.5.) Environmental ethics and policies (28.5.) Possible ways into sustainability – how is your 2040 or 2050 (4.6)
Literature	Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) Humanökologie (Nentwig) Limits to growth (Meadows, Meadows, Randers and Behrens) A prosperous way down: Principles and Policies (Odum and Odum) Come On! (Weizäcker and Wijkman)
Prerequisites / Notice	Basics on Physics applied to Energy and Environment. Investigation on current problems (and possible solutions) related to the human environment interaction and the needed transition from an unsustainable use of renewable and non renewable (energy) resources to sustainable systems. Training of scientific and multi-disciplinary methods, approaches and their limits in the exercises and discussions.
402-0738-00L	Statistical Methods and Analysis Techniques in Experimental Physics	W	10 credits	5G	M. Donegà
Abstract	This lecture gives an introduction to the statistical methods and the various analysis techniques applied in experimental particle physics. The exercises treat problems of general statistical topics; they also include hands-on analysis projects, where students perform independent analyses on their computer, based on real data from actual particle physics experiments.
Learning objective	Students will learn the most important statistical methods used in experimental particle physics. They will acquire the necessary skills to analyse large data records in a statistically correct manner. Learning how to present scientific results in a professional manner and how to discuss them.
Content	Topics include: - modern methods of statistical data analysis - probability distributions, error analysis, simulation methos, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, setting limits and introduction to multivariate methods. - most examples are taken from particle physics. Methodology: - lectures about the statistical topics; - common discussions of examples; - exercises: specific exercises to practise the topics of the lectures; - all students perform statistical calculations on (their) computers; - students complete a full data analysis in teams (of two) over the second half of the course, using real data taken from particle physics experiments; - at the end of the course, the students present their analysis results in a scientific presentation; - all students are directly tutored by assistants in the classroom.
Lecture notes	- Copies of all lectures are available on the web-site of the course. - A scriptum of the lectures is also available to all students of the course.
Literature	1) Statistics: A guide to the use of statistical medhods in the Physical Sciences, R.J.Barlow; Wiley Verlag . 2) J Statistical data analysis, G. Cowan, Oxford University Press; ISBN: 0198501552. 3) Statistische und numerische Methoden der Datenanalyse, V.Blobel und E.Lohrmann, Teubner Studienbuecher Verlag. 4) Data Analysis, a Bayesian Tutorial, D.S.Sivia with J.Skilling, Oxford Science Publications.
Prerequisites / Notice	Basic knowlege of nuclear and particle physics are prerequisites.
402-0368-13L	Extrasolar Planets	W	6 credits	2V + 1U	S. P. Quanz
Abstract	The course introduces in detail some of the main observational methods for the detection and characterization of extra-solar planetary systems. It covers the physics of planets (in the solar system and in extra-solar systems) and provides some overview of the current state of this dynamic research field.
Learning objective	The course gives an overview of the current state-of-the-art in exoplanet science and serves as basis for first research projects in the field of exoplanet systems and related topics.
Content	Content of the lecture EXTRASOLAR PLANETS 1. Planets in the astrophysical context 2. Planets in the solar systems 3. Detecting extra-solar planetary systems 4. Properties of planetary systems and planets 5. Planet formation 6. Search for habitable planets and bio-signatures
402-0787-00L	Therapeutic Applications of Particle Physics: Principles and Practice of Particle Therapy	W	6 credits	2V + 1U	A. J. Lomax
Abstract	Physics and medical physics aspects of particle physics Subjects: Physics interactions and beam characteristics; medical accelerators; beam delivery; pencil beam scanning; dosimetry and QA; treatment planning; precision and uncertainties; in-vivo dose verification; proton therapy biology.
Learning objective	The lecture series is focused on the physics and medical physics aspects of particle therapy. The radiotherapy of tumours using particles (particularly protons) is a rapidly expanding discipline, with many new proton and particle therapy facilities currently being planned and built throughout Europe. In this lecture series, we study in detail the physics background to particle therapy, starting from the fundamental physics interactions of particles with tissue, through to treatment delivery, treatment planning and in-vivo dose verification. The course is aimed at students with a good physics background and an interest in the application of physics to medicine.
Prerequisites / Notice	The former title of this course was "Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Applications of Particle Physics".
402-0922-00L	Mentored Work Specialised Courses in Physics with an Educational Focus A Mentored Work Specialised Courses in the Respective Subject with an Educational Focus in Physics for TC and Teaching Diploma.	W	2 credits	4A	G. Schiltz, A. Vaterlaus
Abstract	In the mentored work on their subject specialisation, students link high-school and university aspects of the subject, thus strengthening their teaching competence with regard to curriculum decisions and the future development of the tuition. They compile texts under supervision that are directly comprehensible to the targeted readers - generally specialist-subject teachers at high-school level.
Learning objective	Practice in the explanation of complex topics in physics as the core competence of the teaching profession Improvement of the physics education by providing attractive recent topics with regard to future curricular decisions and the public view of physics
Content	Choice of topic by individual arrangement
Lecture notes	http://www.fachdidaktik.physik.ethz.ch/unterlagen.html
Prerequisites / Notice	Start anytime, in German or English
402-0923-00L	Mentored Work Specialised Courses in Physics with an Educational Focus B Mentored Work Specialised Courses in the Respective Subject with an Educational Focus in Physics for Teaching Diploma and for students upgrading TC to Teaching Diploma.	W	2 credits	4A	G. Schiltz, A. Vaterlaus
Abstract	In the mentored work on their subject specialisation, students link high-school and university aspects of the subject, thus strengthening their teaching competence with regard to curriculum decisions and the future development of the tuition. They compile texts under supervision that are directly comprehensible to the targeted readers - generally specialist-subject teachers at high-school level.
Learning objective	Practice in the explanation of complex topics in physics as the core competence of the teaching profession Improvement of the physics education by providing attractive recent topics with regard to future curricular decisions and the public view of physics
Content	Choice of topic by individual arrangement
Lecture notes	http://www.fachdidaktik.physik.ethz.ch/unterlagen.html
Prerequisites / Notice	Start anytime, in German or English
402-0924-00L	Internship Physics Didactics Internship Physics Didactics for Teaching Diploma with Physics as First Subject.	W	4 credits	9P	M. Mohr, A. Vaterlaus
Abstract	During the Internship Physics Didactics students teach 8 lessons in the classes of an internship teaching person. Students develop, test and analyze teaching arrangement under the guidance of a mentor (one of the lecturers).
Learning objective	Basic knowledge for the design of teaching arrangements is the topic of the Physics Didactics I and II courses. In the subsequent Internship Physics Didactics students combine the theoretical knowledge acquired in the didactics courses with practical aspects of teaching. During the internship students learn to transform their teaching goals into a real live class room setting considering subject specific, didactical and pedagogical aspects.
Content	Das Fachdidaktikpraktikum bietet den Studierenden eine Möglichkeit, Lernumgebungen wirksam zu gestalten und ihr methodisches Repertoire gezielt zu erweitern. In Absprache mit der Praktikumslehrperson und dem Mentor werden die Aufträge für die Gestaltung der Arrangements formuliert. Die schriftlichen Ausarbeitungen und die Reflexionen über die Lektionen sind Bestandteil des Portfolios, welches die Studierenden für diese Veranstaltung anlegen. Zu den Lektionen führt die Praktikumslehrperson Vor- und Nachbesprechungen durch.
Lecture notes	Wird vom Mentor bestimmt.
Prerequisites / Notice	Das Fachdidaktikpraktikum kann erst nach dem Besuch der FD1 und frühestens mit der FD2 durchgeführt werden (eine gleichzeitige Belegung von Fachdidaktik 2 und Fachdidaktikpraktikum ist möglich).
402-0266-00L	Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics	W	10 credits	3V + 2U	K. S. Kirch
Abstract	Introduction to the concepts of nuclear and particle physics.
Learning objective	Introduction to the concepts of nuclear and particle physics. Discussion of new theoretical concepts and important experiments, which brought about major breakthroughs in our understanding of the underlying physics. Applications of nuclear and particle physics. Links between particle physics and cosmology.
Content	- Building blocks of matter (quarks and leptons) and their interactions (QED, QCD, weak interaction) - The Standard Model of particle physics und open fundamental questions - Bound systems (nuclear forces, structure of nuclei, stability) - Applications of nuclear and particle physics (nuclear fusion and fission) - Nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology
Lecture notes	More information and additional material concerning lecture and excersises are collected at Moodle, link to be published.
Literature	- Povh et al.: Teilchen und Kerne, Springer Verlag 2014 - Henley, Garcia: Subatomic Physics, World Scientific 2010 - Griffith: Introduction to Elementary Particles, Wiley VCH 2011 - Demtroeder: Experimentalphysik IV: Kern- Teilchen- und Astrophysik, Springer Verlag, 2014, 2017 See the web site for more suggestions
402-0275-00L	Quantum Electronics	W	10 credits	3V + 2U	S. Johnson
Abstract	Classical and semi-classical introduction to Quantum Electronics. Mandatory for further elective courses in Quantum Electronics. The field of Quantum Electronics describes propagation of light and its interaction with matter. The emphasis is set on linear pulse and beam propagation in dispersive media, optical anisotropic materials, and waveguides and lasers.
Learning objective	Teach the fundamental building blocks of Quantum Electronics. After taking this course students will be able to describe light propagation in dispersive and nonlinear media, as well as the operation of polarization optics and lasers.
Content	Propagation of light in dispersive media Light propagation through interfaces Interference and coherence Interferometry Fourier Optics Beam propagation Optical resonators Laser fundamentals Polarization optics Waveguides Nonlinear optics
Lecture notes	Scripts will be distributed in class (online) via moodle
Literature	Reference: Saleh, B.E.A., Teich, M.C.; Fundamentals of Photonics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., newest edition
Prerequisites / Notice	Mandatory lecture for physics students Prerequisites (minimal): vector analysis, differential equations, Fourier transformation
402-0368-61L	The Sun, Stars and Planets - Properties, Processes and Interactions	W	4 credits	2G	L. Harra, S. P. Quanz
Abstract	The physics of solar flares, coronal mass ejections and the solar wind will be described. A discussion of the similarities and differences to stellar flares and coronal mass ejections will follow. An introduction to the detection and characterization of extrasolar planets, the impact of stellar phenomena on exoplanets and in particular on their potential habitability will be given.
Learning objective	The main goal of the course is to give the students an overview of physical phenomena that lead to impacts on the Earth, planets and exoplanets. The areas described are at the forefront of scientific research internationally, and touch on significant questions such as ‘is there life on other planets’. These topics will be of interest to students studying astrophysics, earth science and planetary sciences.
Literature	"Astronomy and Astrophysics", Zeilik and Gregory "Universe", Freedman and Kaufmann Living review "The Sun in time: activity and environment" Güdel "Solar Astrophysics", Peter Foukal "Host stars and their effect on Exoplanet Atmospheres", Jeffrey Linsky
252-0840-02L	Application-Oriented Programming with Python	W	2 credits	2G	L. E. Fässler, M. Dahinden
Abstract	This course provides important basic concepts for interdisciplinary programming projects. The programming language is Python and Matlab.
Learning objective	Students learn - how to encode a problem into a program, test the program, and correct errors. - to understand and improve existing code. - to implement models from the natural sciences as a simulation.
Content	The following programming concepts are introduced in the lecture: 1. Variables, data types 2. Control structures, logic 3. Arrays, search- and sort algorithms, simulating, modelling 4. Functions, modules , animation 5. Matrices, Monte-Carlo simulation 6. Classes and objects In the practical part of the course, students work on small programming projects with a context from natural sciences. Electronic tutorials are available as preparation.
Literature	L. Fässler, M. Dahinden, D. Komm, and D. Sichau: Einführung in die Programmierung mit Python und Matlab. Begleitunterlagen zum Onlinekurs und zur Vorlesung, 2016. ISBN: 978-3741250842.
Prerequisites / Notice	No prior knowledge is required for this course. It is based on application-oriented learning. The students spend most of their time working through programming projects with data from natural science and discussing their results with teaching assistants. To learn the programming basics there are electronic tutorials available.
402-0248-00L	Electronics for Physicists II (Digital) Number of participants limited to 30.	W	4 credits	4G	Y. M. Acremann
Abstract	The course will start with logic and finite state machines. These concepts will be applied in practical exercises using FPGAs. Based on this knowledge we will cover the working principles of microprocessors. We will cover combined systems where a micro processor is used for the complex parts and specialized logic on the FPGA is in charge of processing time-critical signals.
Learning objective	The goal of this lecture is to give an overview over digital electronic design needed for timing and data acquisition systems used in physics. After this lecture you will have the knowledge to design digital systems based on FPGAs and microcontrollers.
Content	The goal of this lecture is to give an overview over digital electronic design needed for timing and data acquisition systems used in physics. After this lecture you will have the knowledge to design digital systems based on FPGAs and micro controllers. Contents: Combinational logic Flip-Flops Binary representations of numbers, binary arithmetic Counters, shift registers Hardware description languages (mostly VHDL) Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) From algorithm to architecture Finite state machines Buses (parallel, serial) The SPI bus Digital signal processing The sampling theorem Z-transform, Digital filters Frequency conversion The microprocessor (illustrated on an open-source implementation of the RISC-V microprocessor) SPI bus with a micro controller Combined systems: FPGA for the time critical part, processor for the user interface System-on-chip (FPGA based)
Prerequisites / Notice	We recommend the students to have taken Analog Electronics for Physicists or to have knowledge of basic analog electronics. Students (or at least each group of 2 / 3 students) need a laptop computer, preferably running Linux or Windows. For other operating systems we recommend running Linux or Windows on a virtual machine.
252-0842-00L	Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving	W	3 credits	2V + 1U	D. Komm
Abstract	Core concepts of Computer Science and their implementation in Python.
Learning objective	The goals of the course are consolidating the knowledge about the programming language Python on the one hand, and learning about core concepts of computer science that are essential in algorithm design on the other hand. The focus is on computational thinking, that is, the ability to solve problems systematically by developing algorithms. Different strategies are introduced, analyzed theoretically, and implemented in Python. The combination of theory and practice is central in this course.
Content	- Repetition of basic programming concepts such as variables, lists, control structures, and loops - Reading in and visualizing data - Complexity theory - Sorting and searching - Dynamic programming - Recursion - Graph algorithms
Lecture notes	Lecture website: http://lec.inf.ethz.ch/ppl
Prerequisites / Notice	Recommendation: - Foundations of Computer Science (252-0852-00) - Application Oriented Programming Using Python (252-0840-01)

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