Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018

Computer Science Bachelor Information
Minor Courses
5. Semester
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0227-00LSystems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 50.
W6 credits4GM. Maurer, K. Villez
AbstractSystematic introduction of material balances, transport processes, kinetics, stoichiometry and conservation. Ideal reactors, residence time distribution, heterogeneous systems, dynamic response of reactors. Parameter identification, local sensitivity, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation. Introduction to real time control (PID controllers). Extensive coding of examples in Berkeley Madonna.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to provide the students with an understanding and the tools to develop their own mathematical models, to plan experiments, to evaluate error propagation and to test simple process control strategies in the field of process engineering in urban water management.
ContentThe course will provide a broad introduction into the fundamentals of modeling water treatment systems. The topics are:
- Introduction into modeling and simulation
- The material balance equations, transport processes, transformation processes (kinetics, stoichiometry, conservation)
- Ideal reactors
- Hydraulic residence time distribution and modeling of real reactors
- Dynamic behavior of reactor systems
- Systems analytical tools: Sensitivity, parameter identification, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation
- Introduction to process control (PID controller, fuzzy control)
Lecture notesCopies of overheads will be made available.
LiteratureThere will be a required textbook that students need to purchase:
Willi Gujer (2008): Systems Analysis for Water Technology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg
Prerequisites / NoticeGeneral understanding of urban water management. This course will be offered together with the course Process Engineering Ia. It is advantageous to follow both courses simultaneously.
151-0573-00LSystem Modeling Information W4 credits2V + 2UG. Ducard
AbstractIntroduction to system modeling for control. Generic modeling approaches based on first principles, Lagrangian formalism, energy approaches and experimental data. Model parametrization and parameter estimation. Basic analysis of linear and nonlinear systems.
ObjectiveLearn how to mathematically describe a physical system or a process in the form of a model usable for analysis and control purposes.
ContentThis class introduces generic system-modeling approaches for control-oriented models based on first principles and experimental data. The class will span numerous examples related to mechatronic, thermodynamic, chemistry, fluid dynamic, energy, and process engineering systems. Model scaling, linearization, order reduction, and balancing. Parameter estimation with least-squares methods. Various case studies: loud-speaker, turbines, water-propelled rocket, geostationary satellites, etc. The exercises address practical examples.
Lecture notesThe handouts in English will be sold in the first lecture.
LiteratureA list of references is included in the handouts.
151-0575-01LSignals and Systems Information W4 credits2V + 2UA. Carron, G. Ducard
AbstractSignals arise in most engineering applications. They contain information about the behavior of physical systems. Systems respond to signals and produce other signals. In this course, we explore how signals can be represented and manipulated, and their effects on systems. We further explore how we can discover basic system properties by exciting a system with various types of signals.
ObjectiveMaster the basics of signals and systems. Apply this knowledge to problems in the homework assignments and programming exercise.
ContentDiscrete-time signals and systems. Fourier- and z-Transforms. Frequency domain characterization of signals and systems. System identification. Time series analysis. Filter design.
Lecture notesLecture notes available on course website.
Prerequisites / NoticeControl Systems I is helpful but not required.
151-0591-00LControl Systems IW4 credits2V + 2UJ. Tani
AbstractAnalysis and controller synthesis for linear time invariant systems with one input and one output signal (SISO); transition matrix; stability; controllability; observability; Laplace transform; transfer functions; transient and steady state responses. PID control; dynamic compensators; Nyquist theorem.
ObjectiveIdentify the role and importance of control systems in everyday life. Obtain models of single-input single-output (SISO) linear time invariant (LTI) dynamical systems. Linearization of nonlinear models. Interpret stability, observability and controllability of linear systems. Describe and associate building blocks of linear systems in time and frequency domain with equations and graphical representations (Bode plot, Nyquist plot, root locus). Design feedback controllers to meet stability and performance requirements for SISO LTI systems. Explain differences between expected and actual control results. Notions of robustness and other nuisances such as discrete time implementation.
ContentModeling and linearization of dynamic systems with single input and output signals. State-space description. Analysis (stability, reachability, observability, etc.) of open-loop systems. Laplace transformation, systems analysis in the frequency domain. Transfer functions and analysis of the influence of its poles and zeros on the system's dynamic behavior. Frequency response. Analysis of closed-loop systems using the Nyquist criterion. Formulation of performance constraints. Specification of closed-loop system behavior. Synthesis of elementary closed-loop control systems (PID, lead/lag compensation, loop shaping). Discrete time state space representation and stability analysis.
Prerequisites / NoticeBasic knowledge of (complex) analysis and linear algebra.
151-0601-00LTheory of Robotics and Mechatronics Information W4 credits3GP. Korba, S. Stoeter
AbstractThis course provides an introduction and covers the fundamentals of the field, including rigid motions, homogeneous transformations, forward and inverse kinematics of multiple degree of freedom manipulators, velocity kinematics, motion planning, trajectory generation, sensing, vision, and control. It’s a requirement for the Robotics Vertiefung and for the Masters in Mechatronics and Microsystems.
ObjectiveRobotics is often viewed from three perspectives: perception (sensing), manipulation (affecting changes in the world), and cognition (intelligence). Robotic systems integrate aspects of all three of these areas. This course provides an introduction to the theory of robotics, and covers the fundamentals of the field, including rigid motions, homogeneous transformations, forward and inverse kinematics of multiple degree of freedom manipulators, velocity kinematics, motion planning, trajectory generation, sensing, vision, and control. This course is a requirement for the Robotics Vertiefung and for the Masters in Mechatronics and Microsystems.
ContentAn introduction to the theory of robotics, and covers the fundamentals of the field, including rigid motions, homogeneous transformations, forward and inverse kinematics of multiple degree of freedom manipulators, velocity kinematics, motion planning, trajectory generation, sensing, vision, and control.
Lecture notesavailable.
151-0709-00LStochastic Methods for Engineers and Natural Scientists Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 45.
W4 credits3GD. W. Meyer-Massetti
AbstractThe course provides an introduction into stochastic methods that are applicable for example for the description and modeling of turbulent and subsurface flows. Moreover, mathematical techniques are presented that are used to quantify uncertainty in various engineering applications.
ObjectiveBy the end of the course you should be able to mathematically describe random quantities and their effect on physical systems. Moreover, you should be able to develop basic stochastic models of such systems.
Content- Probability theory, single and multiple random variables, mappings of random variables
- Estimation of statistical moments and probability densities based on data
- Stochastic differential equations, Ito calculus, PDF evolution equations
- Polynomial chaos and other expansion methods
All topics are illustrated with engineering applications.
Lecture notesDetailed lecture notes will be provided.
LiteratureSome textbooks related to the material covered in the course:
Stochastic Methods: A Handbook for the Natural and Social Sciences, Crispin Gardiner, Springer, 2010
The Fokker-Planck Equation: Methods of Solutions and Applications, Hannes Risken, Springer, 1996
Turbulent Flows, S.B. Pope, Cambridge University Press, 2000
Spectral Methods for Uncertainty Quantification, O.P. Le Maitre and O.M. Knio, Springer, 2010
151-3217-00LCoaching Students (Basic Training)W1 credit1GR. P. Haas, B. Volk
AbstractAim is enhancement of knowledge and competency regarding coaching skills. Participants should be active coaches of a student team. Topics: Overview of the roles and mind set of a coach as, introduction into coaching methodology, mutual learning and reflecting of participants coaching expertise and situations.
Objective- Basic knowledge about role and mindset of a coach
- Basic Knowledge and reflection about classical coaching situations
- Inspiration and mutual learning from real coaching sessions (mutual peer observation)
ContentBasic knowledge about role and mindset of a coach
- Introduction into coaching: definition & models
- Introduction into the coaching process and team building phases
- Role of coaches between examinator, tutor and ""friend""
First steps building up personal coaching competencies, i.e. active listening, asking questions, giving feedback
- Competencies in theoretical models
- Coaching competencies: exercises and reflection
Some Reflection and exchange of experiences about personal coaching situations
- Exchange of experiences in the lecture group
- Mutual peer observations
Lecture notesSlides, script and other documents will be distributed electronically
(access only for participants registered to this course)
LiteraturePlease refer to lecture script.
Prerequisites / NoticeParticipants (Students, PhD Students, Postdocs) should be actively coaching students.
227-0076-00LElectrical Engineering IIW4 credits2V + 2UJ. Biela
AbstractNon-sinusoidal signals and systems in the time and frequency domain, principle of operation and design of basic analog and digital circuits as well as analog-digital conversion. Basic power electronic circuits, design of magnetic components, electromechanical energy conversion, principle of operation and characteristics of transformators and selected rotating electrical machines.
Objectivesee above
ContentBeschreibung von nicht-sinusförmigen Signalen und Systemen im Zeit- und Frequenzbereich, Funktion grundlegender analoger und digitaler Schaltungen sowie von Analog-Digital-Wandlern. Grundlagen leistungselektronischer Konverter, Berechnung magnetischer Kreise, elektromechanische Energiewandlung, Funktionsprinzip von Transformatoren und ausgewählter rotierender elektrischer Maschinen.
227-0102-00LDiscrete Event Systems Information W6 credits4GL. Thiele, L. Vanbever, R. Wattenhofer
AbstractIntroduction to discrete event systems. We start out by studying popular models of discrete event systems. In the second part of the course we analyze discrete event systems from an average-case and from a worst-case perspective. Topics include: Automata and Languages, Specification Models, Stochastic Discrete Event Systems, Worst-Case Event Systems, Verification, Network Calculus.
ObjectiveOver the past few decades the rapid evolution of computing, communication, and information technologies has brought about the proliferation of new dynamic systems. A significant part of activity in these systems is governed by operational rules designed by humans. The dynamics of these systems are characterized by asynchronous occurrences of discrete events, some controlled (e.g. hitting a keyboard key, sending a message), some not (e.g. spontaneous failure, packet loss).

The mathematical arsenal centered around differential equations that has been employed in systems engineering to model and study processes governed by the laws of nature is often inadequate or inappropriate for discrete event systems. The challenge is to develop new modeling frameworks, analysis techniques, design tools, testing methods, and optimization processes for this new generation of systems.

In this lecture we give an introduction to discrete event systems. We start out the course by studying popular models of discrete event systems, such as automata and Petri nets. In the second part of the course we analyze discrete event systems. We first examine discrete event systems from an average-case perspective: we model discrete events as stochastic processes, and then apply Markov chains and queuing theory for an understanding of the typical behavior of a system. In the last part of the course we analyze discrete event systems from a worst-case perspective using the theory of online algorithms and adversarial queuing.
Content1. Introduction
2. Automata and Languages
3. Smarter Automata
4. Specification Models
5. Stochastic Discrete Event Systems
6. Worst-Case Event Systems
7. Network Calculus
Lecture notesAvailable
Literature[bertsekas] Data Networks
Dimitri Bersekas, Robert Gallager
Prentice Hall, 1991, ISBN: 0132009161

[borodin] Online Computation and Competitive Analysis
Allan Borodin, Ran El-Yaniv.
Cambridge University Press, 1998

[boudec] Network Calculus
J.-Y. Le Boudec, P. Thiran
Springer, 2001

[cassandras] Introduction to Discrete Event Systems
Christos Cassandras, Stéphane Lafortune.
Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1999, ISBN 0-7923-8609-4

[fiat] Online Algorithms: The State of the Art
A. Fiat and G. Woeginger

[hochbaum] Approximation Algorithms for NP-hard Problems (Chapter 13 by S. Irani, A. Karlin)
D. Hochbaum

[schickinger] Diskrete Strukturen (Band 2: Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und Statistik)
T. Schickinger, A. Steger
Springer, Berlin, 2001

[sipser] Introduction to the Theory of Computation
Michael Sipser.
PWS Publishing Company, 1996, ISBN 053494728X
227-0116-00LVLSI I: From Architectures to VLSI Circuits and FPGAs Information W6 credits5GF. K. Gürkaynak, L. Benini
AbstractThis first course in a series that extends over three consecutive terms is concerned with tailoring algorithms and with devising high performance hardware architectures for their implementation as ASIC or with FPGAs. The focus is on front end design using HDLs and automatic synthesis for producing industrial-quality circuits.
ObjectiveUnderstand Very-Large-Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI chips), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), and Field-Programmable Gate-Arrays (FPGA). Know their organization and be able to identify suitable application areas. Become fluent in front-end design from architectural conception to gate-level netlists. How to model digital circuits with VHDL or SystemVerilog. How to ensure they behave as expected with the aid of simulation, testbenches, and assertions. How to take advantage of automatic synthesis tools to produce industrial-quality VLSI and FPGA circuits. Gain practical experience with the hardware description language VHDL and with industrial Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools.
ContentThis course is concerned with system-level issues of VLSI design and FPGA implementations. Topics include:
- Overview on design methodologies and fabrication depths.
- Levels of abstraction for circuit modeling.
- Organization and configuration of commercial field-programmable components.
- VLSI and FPGA design flows.
- Dedicated and general purpose architectures compared.
- How to obtain an architecture for a given processing algorithm.
- Meeting throughput, area, and power goals by way of architectural transformations.
- Hardware Description Languages (HDL) and the underlying concepts.
- VHDL and SystemVerilog compared.
- VHDL (IEEE standard 1076) for simulation and synthesis.
- A suitable nine-valued logic system (IEEE standard 1164).
- Register Transfer Level (RTL) synthesis and its limitations.
- Building blocks of digital VLSI circuits.
- Functional verification techniques and their limitations.
- Modular and largely reusable testbenches.
- Assertion-based verification.
- Synchronous versus asynchronous circuits.
- The case for synchronous circuits.
- Periodic events and the Anceau diagram.
- Case studies, ASICs compared to microprocessors, DSPs, and FPGAs.

During the exercises, students learn how to model digital ICs with VHDL. They write testbenches for simulation purposes and synthesize gate-level netlists for VLSI chips and FPGAs. Commercial EDA software by leading vendors is being used throughout.
Lecture notesTextbook and all further documents in English.
LiteratureH. Kaeslin: "Top-Down Digital VLSI Design, from Architectures to Gate-Level Circuits and FPGAs", Elsevier, 2014, ISBN 9780128007303.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites:
Basics of digital circuits.

Examination:
In written form following the course semester (spring term). Problems are given in English, answers will be accepted in either English oder German.

Further details:
Link
227-0731-00LPower Market I - Portfolio and Risk ManagementW6 credits4GD. Reichelt, G. A. Koeppel
AbstractPortfolio and risk management in the electrical power business, Pan-European power market and trading, futures and forward contracts, hedging, options and derivatives, performance indicators for the risk management, modelling of physical assets, cross-border trading, ancillary services, balancing power market, Swiss market model
ObjectiveKnowlege on the worldwide liberalisation of electricity markets, pan-european power trading and the role of power exchanges. Understand financial products (derivatives) based on power. Management of a portfolio containing physical production, contracts and derivatives. Evaluate trading and hedging strategies. Apply methods and tools of risk management.
Content1. Pan-European power market and trading
1.1. Power trading
1.2. Development of the European power markets
1.3. Energy economics
1.4. Spot and OTC trading
1.5. European energy exchange EEX

2. Market model
2.1. Market place and organisation
2.2. Balance groups / balancing energy
2.3. Ancillary services
2.4. Market for ancillary services
2.5. Cross-border trading
2.6. Capacity auctions

3. Portfolio and Risk management
3.1. Portfolio management 1 (introduction)
3.2. Forward and futures contracts
3.3. Risk management 1 (m2m, VaR, hpfc, volatility, cVaR)
3.4. Risk management 2 (PaR)
3.5. Contract valuation (HPFC)
3.6. Portfolio management 2
2.8. Risk Management 3 (enterprise wide)

4. Energy & Finance I
4.1. Options 1 – basics
4.2. Options 2 – hedging with options
4.3. Introduction to derivatives (swaps, cap, floor, collar)
4.4. Financial modelling of physical assets
4.5. Trading and hydro power
4.6. Incentive regulation
Lecture notesHandouts of the lecture
Prerequisites / Notice1 excursion per semester, 2 case studies, guest speakers for specific topics.
Course Moodle: Link
227-0945-00LCell and Molecular Biology for Engineers I
This course is part I of a two-semester course.
W3 credits2GC. Frei
AbstractThe course gives an introduction into cellular and molecular biology, specifically for students with a background in engineering. The focus will be on the basic organization of eukaryotic cells, molecular mechanisms and cellular functions. Textbook knowledge will be combined with results from recent research and technological innovations in biology.
ObjectiveAfter completing this course, engineering students will be able to apply their previous training in the quantitative and physical sciences to modern biology. Students will also learn the principles how biological models are established, and how these models can be tested.
ContentLectures will include the following topics (part I and II): DNA, chromosomes, RNA, protein, genetics, gene expression, membrane structure and function, vesicular traffic, cellular communication, energy conversion, cytoskeleton, cell cycle, cellular growth, apoptosis, autophagy, cancer, development and stem cells.

In addition, 4 journal clubs will be held, where recent publications will be discussed (2 journal clubs in part I and 2 journal clubs in part II). For each journal club, students (alone or in groups of up to three students) have to write a summary and discussion of the publication. These written documents will be graded and count as 40% for the final grade.
Lecture notesScripts of all lectures will be available.
Literature"Molecular Biology of the Cell" (6th edition) by Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, and Walter.
227-2037-00LPhysical Modelling and Simulation Information W6 credits4GJ. Smajic
AbstractThis module consists of (a) an introduction to fundamental equations of electromagnetics, mechanics and heat transfer, (b) a detailed overview of numerical methods for field simulations, and (c) practical examples solved in form of small projects.
ObjectiveBasic knowledge of the fundamental equations and effects of electromagnetics, mechanics, and heat transfer. Knowledge of the main concepts of numerical methods for physical modelling and simulation. Ability (a) to develop own simple field simulation programs, (b) to select an appropriate field solver for a given problem, (c) to perform field simulations, (d) to evaluate the obtained results, and (e) to interactively improve the models until sufficiently accurate results are obtained.
ContentThe module begins with an introduction to the fundamental equations and effects of electromagnetics, mechanics, and heat transfer. After the introduction follows a detailed overview of the available numerical methods for solving electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical boundary value problems. This part of the course contains a general introduction into numerical methods, differential and integral forms, linear equation systems, Finite Difference Method (FDM), Boundary Element Method (BEM), Method of Moments (MoM), Multiple Multipole Program (MMP) and Finite Element Method (FEM). The theoretical part of the course finishes with a presentation of multiphysics simulations through several practical examples of HF-engineering such as coupled electromagnetic-mechanical and electromagnetic-thermal analysis of MEMS.
In the second part of the course the students will work in small groups on practical simulation problems. For solving practical problems the students can develop and use own simulation programs or chose an appropriate commercial field solver for their specific problem. This practical simulation work of the students is supervised by the lecturers.
351-0778-00LDiscovering Management
Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01.
W3 credits3GB. Clarysse, M. Ambühl, S. Brusoni, E. Fleisch, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, T. Netland, G. von Krogh, F. von Wangenheim
AbstractDiscovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. The module provides an overview of the principles of management, teaches knowledge about management that is highly complementary to the students' technical knowledge, and provides a basis for advancing the knowledge of the various subjects offered at D-MTEC.
ObjectiveDiscovering Management combines in an innovate format a set of lectures and an advanced business game. The learning model for Discovering Management involves 'learning by doing'. The objective is to introduce the students to the relevant topics of the management literature and give them a good introduction in entrepreneurship topics too. The course is a series of lectures on the topics of strategy, innovation, corporate finance, leadership, design thinking and corporate social responsibility. While the 14 different lectures provide the theoretical and conceptual foundations, the experiential learning outcomes result from the interactive business game. The purpose of the business game is to analyse the innovative needs of a large multinational company and develop a business case for the company to grow. This business case is as relevant to someone exploring innovation within an organisation as it is if you are planning to start your own business. By discovering the key aspects of entrepreneurial management, the purpose of the course is to advance students' understanding of factors driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and company success.
ContentDiscovering Management aims to broaden the students' understanding of the principles of business management, emphasizing the interdependence of various topics in the development and management of a firm. The lectures introduce students not only to topics relevant for managing large corporations, but also touch upon the different aspects of starting up your own venture. The lectures will be presented by the respective area specialists at D-MTEC.
The course broadens the view and understanding of technology by linking it with its commercial applications and with society. The lectures are designed to introduce students to topics related to strategy, corporate innovation, leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial finance, value chain analysis, corporate social responsibility, and business model innovation. Practical examples from industry experts will stimulate the students to critically assess these issues. Creative skills will be trained by the business game exercise, a participant-centered learning activity, which provides students with the opportunity to place themselves in the role of Chief Innovation Officer of a large multinational company. As they learn more about the specific case and identify the challenge they are faced with, the students will have to develop an innovative business case for this multinational corporation. Doing so, this exercise will provide an insight into the context of managerial problem-solving and corporate innovation, and enhance the students' appreciation for the complex tasks companies and managers deal with. The business game presents a realistic model of a company and provides a valuable learning platform to integrate the increasingly important development of the skills and competences required to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, analyse the future business environment and successfully respond to it by taking systematic decisions, e.g. critical assessment of technological possibilities.
Prerequisites / NoticeDiscovering Management is designed to suit the needs and expectations of Bachelor students at all levels as well as Master and PhD students not belonging to D-MTEC. By providing an overview of Business Management, this course is an ideal enrichment of the standard curriculum at ETH Zurich.
No prior knowledge of business or economics is required to successfully complete this course.
363-0511-00LManagerial Economics
Not for MSc students belonging to D-MTEC!
W4 credits3VS. Rausch
Abstract"Managerial Economics" provides an introduction to the theories and methods from Economics and Management Science to analyze economic decision-making in the context of markets. The course targets students with no prior knowledge in Economics and Management.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to provide an introduction to microeconomic thinking. Based on the fundamental principles of economic analysis (optimization and equilibrium), the focus lies on understanding key economic concepts relevant for understanding and analyzing economic behavior of firms and consumers in the context of markets. Market demand and supply are derived from the individual decision-making of economic agents and market outcomes under different assumptions about the market structure and market power (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, game theory) are studied. This introductory course aims at providing essential knowledge from the fields of Economics and Management relevant for economic decision-making in the context of both the private and public sector.
Literature"Mikroökonomie" von Robert Pindyck & Daniel Rubinfeld, aktualisierte 8. Auflage, 8/2013, (Pearson Studium - Economic VWL).
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course targets both Bachelor and Master students. No prior knowledge in the areas of Economics and Management is required.
363-0541-00LSystems Dynamics and ComplexityW3 credits3GF. Schweitzer, G. Casiraghi, V. Nanumyan
AbstractFinding solutions: what is complexity, problem solving cycle.

Implementing solutions: project management, critical path method, quality control feedback loop.

Controlling solutions: Vensim software, feedback cycles, control parameters, instabilities, chaos, oscillations and cycles, supply and demand, production functions, investment and consumption
ObjectiveA successful participant of the course is able to:
- understand why most real problems are not simple, but require solution methods that go beyond algorithmic and mathematical approaches
- apply the problem solving cycle as a systematic approach to identify problems and their solutions
- calculate project schedules according to the critical path method
- setup and run systems dynamics models by means of the Vensim software
- identify feedback cycles and reasons for unintended systems behavior
- analyse the stability of nonlinear dynamical systems and apply this to macroeconomic dynamics
ContentWhy are problems not simple? Why do some systems behave in an unintended way? How can we model and control their dynamics? The course provides answers to these questions by using a broad range of methods encompassing systems oriented management, classical systems dynamics, nonlinear dynamics and macroeconomic modeling.
The course is structured along three main tasks:
1. Finding solutions
2. Implementing solutions
3. Controlling solutions

PART 1 introduces complexity as a system immanent property that cannot be simplified. It introduces the problem solving cycle, used in systems oriented management, as an approach to structure problems and to find solutions.

PART 2 discusses selected problems of project management when implementing solutions. Methods for identifying the critical path of subtasks in a project and for calculating the allocation of resources are provided. The role of quality control as an additional feedback loop and the consequences of small changes are discussed.

PART 3, by far the largest part of the course, provides more insight into the dynamics of existing systems. Examples come from biology (population dynamics), management (inventory modeling, technology adoption, production systems) and economics (supply and demand, investment and consumption). For systems dynamics models, the software program VENSIM is used to evaluate the dynamics. For economic models analytical approaches, also used in nonlinear dynamics and control theory, are applied. These together provide a systematic understanding of the role of feedback loops and instabilities in the dynamics of systems. Emphasis is on oscillating phenomena, such as business cycles and other life cycles.

Weekly self-study tasks are used to apply the concepts introduced in the lectures and to come to grips with the software program VENSIM.
Lecture notesThe lecture slides are provided as handouts - including notes and literature sources - to registered students only. All material is to be found on the Moodle platform. More details during the first lecture
Prerequisites / NoticeSelf-study tasks (discussion exercises, Vensim exercises) are provided as home work. Weekly exercise sessions (45 min) are used to discuss selected solutions. Regular participation in the exercises is an efficient way to understand the concepts relevant for the final exam.
363-0585-00LIntermediate EconometricsW3 credits2VM. Kesina
AbstractThe idea of this course is to familiarize students with instrumental variables estimation of linear regression models and the estimation of models with limited dependent variables as well as of nonlinear regression models. While most of the material covered will pertain to cross-sectional data, we will also work on selected issues with panel data.
ObjectiveI will provide STATA programs and show the execution thereof. After having participated in this course, students will be able to carry out simple research projects and understand the basics of intermediate econometrics. In particular, they will be able to write simple programs in STATA and to qualify their own and others' regression output relating to problems covered.
LiteratureJeffrey M. Wooldridge: Introductory Econometrics; Jeffrey M. Wooldridge: Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data; A. Colin Cameron and Pravin K. Trivedi. Microeconometrics: Methods and Applications.
363-1047-00LEconomics of Urban TransportationW3 credits2GA. Russo
AbstractThe first part of the course will present some basic principles of transportation economics, applied to the main issues in urban transport policy (e.g. road pricing, public transport tariffs, investment in infrastructure etc.). The second part of the course will consider some case studies where we will apply the tools acquired in the first part to actual policy issues.
ObjectiveThe main objective of this course is to provide students with some basic tools to analyze transport policy decisions from an economic perspective. Can economics help us reduce road congestion problems? Should drivers be asked to pay for using urban roads? Should public transport tariffs depend on how roads are priced? How should the investment in transport infrastructure be financed? These are some of the questions that students should be able to tackle after completing the course.
ContentCOURSE OUTLINE (preliminary):

1. Introduction
2. Travel demand :
a. travel cost and value of time
b. mode choice
3. Road congestion and first-best pricing
a. Static congestion model
b. Dynamic congestion models
c. Examples: London Congestion Charge, Stockholm Congestion Charge
4. Second-best pricing
a. Pricing roads with unpriced alternatives. Examples: tolled and toll-free highways
b. Public transport: pricing with road congestion and with (or without) road tolls
5. Investment in infrastructure: public transport and roads
a. Roads: Investment with and without pricing
b. induced demand
c. Economies of scale/density in public transport
6. Topics:
a. Political economy of road pricing: why do we see road pricing in so few cities (London, Stockholm...) and not in many other cities (NYC, Manchester, Paris...)?
b. What are the alternatives to road pricing to reduce congestion? Parking tariffs, traffic regulation (speed bumps, low emission zones), road space reduction. Examples: Zurich, San Francisco (SFPark), Paris.
c. Transport and land use: value of housing and transport services. Road congestion, transport subsidies and urban sprawl.
Lecture notesCourse slides will be made available to students prior to each class.
LiteratureSYLLABUS (preliminary):

course slides will be made available to students.

Additional material:

Part 1 to 5: textbook: Small and Verhoef (The economics of urban transportation, 2007).

Part 6: Topics to be covered on research papers/case studies.
376-1177-00LHuman Factors IW3 credits2VM. Menozzi Jäckli, R. Huang, M. Siegrist
AbstractEvery day humans interact with various systems. Strategies of interaction, individual needs, physical & mental abilities, and system properties are important factors in controlling the quality and performance in interaction processes. In the lecture, factors are investigated by basic scientific approaches. Discussed topics are important for optimizing people's satisfaction & overall performance.
ObjectiveThe goal of the lecture is to empower students in better understanding the applied theories, principles, and methods in various applications. Students are expected to learn about how to enable an efficient and qualitatively high standing interaction between human and the environment, considering costs, benefits, health, and safety as well. Thus, an ergonomic design and evaluation process of products, tasks, and environments may be promoted in different disciplines. The goal is achieved in addressing a broad variety of topics and embedding the discussion in macroscopic factors such as the behavior of consumers and objectives of economy.
Content- Physiological, physical, and cognitive factors in sensation and perception
- Body spaces and functional anthropometry, Digital Human Models
- Experimental techniques in assessing human performance and well-being
- Human factors and ergonomics in system designs, product development and innovation
- Human information processing and biological cybernetics
- Interaction among consumers, environments, behavior, and tasks
Literature- Gavriel Salvendy, Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th edition (2012), is available on NEBIS as electronic version and for free to ETH students
- Further textbooks are introduced in the lecture
- Brouchures, checklists, key articles etc. are uploaded in ILIAS
401-0353-00LAnalysis III Information W4 credits2V + 2UA. Figalli
AbstractIn this lecture we treat problems in applied analysis. The focus lies on the solution of quasilinear first order PDEs with the method of characteristics, and on the study of three fundamental types of partial differential equations of second order: the Laplace equation, the heat equation, and the wave equation.
ObjectiveThe aim of this class is to provide students with a general overview of first and second order PDEs, and teach them how to solve some of these equations using characteristics and/or separation of variables.
Content1.) General introduction to PDEs and their classification (linear, quasilinear, semilinear, nonlinear / elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic)

2.) Quasilinear first order PDEs
- Solution with the method of characteristics
- COnservation laws

3.) Hyperbolic PDEs
- wave equation
- d'Alembert formula in (1+1)-dimensions
- method of separation of variables

4.) Parabolic PDEs
- heat equation
- maximum principle
- method of separation of variables

5.) Elliptic PDEs
- Laplace equation
- maximum principle
- method of separation of variables
- variational method
LiteratureY. Pinchover, J. Rubinstein, "An Introduction to Partial Differential Equations", Cambridge University Press (12. Mai 2005)
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Analysis I and II, Fourier series (Complex Analysis)
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