Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2015

Doctoral Department of Environmental Sciences Information
More Information at: Link
Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Courses
Environmental Sciences
Atmosphere and Climate
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0573-00LAerosols II: Applications in Environment and TechnologyW4 credits2V + 1UJ. Slowik, U. Baltensperger, H. Burtscher
AbstractMajor topics: Important sources and sinks of atmospheric aerosols and their importance for men and environment. Particle emissions from combustion systems, means to reduce emissions like particle filters.
ObjectiveProfound knowledge about aerosols in the atmosphere and applications of aerosols in technology
ContentAtmospheric aerosols:
important sources and sinks, wet and dry deposition, chemical composition, importance for men and environment, interaction with the gas phase, influence on climate.
Technical aerosols:
combustion aerosols, techniques to reduce emissions, application of aerosols in technology
Lecture notesInformation is distributed during the lectures
Literature- Colbeck I. (ed.) Physical and Chemical Properties of Aerosols, Blackie Academic & Professional, London, 1998.
- Seinfeld, J.H., and S.N. Pandis, Atmospheric chemistry and physics, John Wiley, New York, (1998).
701-1228-00LCloud Dynamics: Hurricanes Information W4 credits3GU. Lohmann
AbstractHurricanes are among the most destructive elements in Atmospheric science. This lecture will discuss the requirements for their formation, longevity, damage potential and their relationship to global warming. It also distinguishes hurricanes from thunderstorms and tornadoes.
ObjectiveAt the end of this course students will be able to evaluate different tropical cyclone modification ideas, predict how tropical cyclones change in a warmer climate based on their physics and distinguish them from extratropical storms.
Lecture notesSlides will be made available
LiteratureHouze, R. A., Cloud Dynamics, Academic Press, 1993
Lin, Y.-L., Mesoscale Dynamics, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2010

A literature list can be found here: Link
Prerequisites / NoticeAt least one introductory lecture in Atmospheric Science or Instructor's consent.
701-1226-00LInter-Annual Phenomena and Their Prediction
Does not take place this semester.
W2 credits2GC. Appenzeller
AbstractThis course gives an overview of the current ability to understand and predict short term climate variability in the tropical and extra tropical region.
ObjectiveStudents will acquire an understanding of the key processes involved and will acquire expertise in analyzing and predicting short-term climate variability.
ContentThe course covers following topics: A brief review of the relevant components of the climate system, the statistical concepts used in climate analysis studies (e.g. correlation analysis, teleconnection maps, EOF analysis), the role of ocean-atmosphere feedback processes in intra- and interseasonal climate variability in the tropical region (e.g. ENSO, MJO) and in the extra-tropical region (e.g. Blocking, NAO, PNA), the concepts of weather and climate regimes, different prediction methods for short term climate variability (statistical methods, ensemble prediction methods, coupled ocean atmosphere models), probabilistic verification methods, predictability studies, examples of end user applications (e.g. seasonal forecasts) and the role of inter-annual and decadal climate variability in the current climate change debate.
Lecture notesA pdf version of the slides shown will be provided.
LiteratureReferences are given during the lecture.
701-1224-00LMesoscale Atmospheric Systems - Observation and ModellingW2 credits2VH. Wernli, S. Pfahl
AbstractMesoscale meteorology focusing on processes relevant for the evolution of precipitation systems. Discussion of empirical and mathematical-physical models for, e.g., fronts and convective storms. Consideration of oceanic evaporation, transport and the associated physics of stable water isotopes. Introduction to weather radar being the widespread instrument for observing mesoscale precipitation.
ObjectiveBasic concepts of observational and theoretical mesoscale meteorology, including precipitation measurements and radar. Knowledge about the interpretation of radar images. Understanding of processes leading to the formation of fronts and convective storms, and basic knowledge on ocean evaporation and the physics of stable water isotopes.
701-1216-00LNumerical Modelling of Weather and ClimateW4 credits3GC. Schär, U. Lohmann
AbstractThe guiding principle of this lecture is that students can understand how weather and climate models are formulated from the governing physical principles and how they are used for climate and weather prediction purposes.
ObjectiveThe guiding principle of this lecture is that students can understand how weather and climate models are formulated from the governing physical principles and how they are used for climate and weather prediction purposes.
ContentThe course provides an introduction into the following themes: numerical methods (finite differences and spectral methods); adiabatic formulation of atmospheric models (vertical coordinates, hydrostatic approximation); parameterization of physical processes (e.g. clouds, convection, boundary layer, radiation); atmospheric data assimilation and weather prediction; predictability (chaos-theory, ensemble methods); climate models (coupled atmospheric, oceanic and biogeochemical models); climate prediction.

Hands-on experience with simple models will be acquired in the tutorials.
Lecture notesSlides and lecture notes will be made available at
Link
LiteratureList of literature will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: to follow this course, you need some basic background in numerical methods (e.g., "Numerische Methoden in der Umweltphysik", 701-0461-00L)
701-1232-00LRadiation and Climate ChangeW3 credits2GM. Wild
AbstractThis lecture focuses on the prominent role of radiation in the energy balance of the Earth and in the context of past and future climate change.
ObjectiveThe aim of this course is to develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental role of radiation in the context of climate change.
ContentThe course will cover the following topics:
Basic radiation laws; sun-earth relations; the sun as driver of climate change (faint sun paradox, Milankovic ice age theory, solar cycles); radiative forcings in the atmosphere: aerosol, water vapour, clouds; radiation balance of the Earth (satellite and surface observations, modeling approaches); anthropogenic perturbation of the Earth radiation balance: greenhouse gases and enhanced greenhouse effect, air pollution and global dimming; radiation-induced feedbacks in the climate system (water vapour feedback, snow albedo feedback); climate model scenarios under various radiative forcings.
Lecture notesSlides will be made available, lecture notes for part of the course
LiteratureAs announced in the course
701-1234-00LTropospheric ChemistryW3 credits2GA. Prévôt, F. Dentener
AbstractThe course gives an overview tropospheric chemistry, which is based on laboratory studies, measurements and numerical modelling. The topics include aerosol, photochemistry, emissions and depositions. The lecture covers urban-regional-to-global scale issues, as well as fundamentals of the atmospheric nitrogen, sulfur and CH4 cycles and their contributions to aerosol and oxidant formation.
ObjectiveBased on the presented material the students are expected to understand the most relevant processes responsible for the anthropogenic disturbances of tropospheric chemical composition. The competence of synthesis of knowledge will be improved by student's presentations. These presentations relate to a particular actual problem selected by the canidates.
ContentStarting from the knowledge acquired in lecture 701-0471, the course provides a more profound view on the the chemical and dynamical process governing the composition and impacts of air pollutant like aerosol and ozone, at the earth's surface and the free troposphere.
Specific topics are offered are: laboratory and ambient measurements in polluted and pristine regions, the determination of emissions of a variety of components, numerical modelling across scales, regional air pollution - aerosol, and photooxidatant in relation to precursor emissions,
impacts (health, vegetation, climate), the global cycles of tropospheric ozone, CH4, sulfur and nitrogen components.
Lecture notesLecture presentations are available for download.
LiteratureD. Jacob, Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry Link

Mark Z. Jacobson: Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modelling, Cambridge University Press

John Seinfeld and Spyros Pandis, Atmosperic Chemistry and Physics, from air pollution to Climate Change, Wiley, 2006.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe basics in physical chemsitry are required and an overview equivalent to the bachelor course in atmospheric chemsitry (lecture 701-0471-01) is expected.
701-1266-00LWeather Discussion
Limited number of participants.
Preference will be given to students on the masters level.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge in meteorology is required for this class, students are advised to take courses 702-0473-00L and/or 701-1221-00L before attending this course.
W2.5 credits2PH. Wernli
AbstractThis three-parts course includes: (i) concise units to update the students knowledge about key aspects of mid-latitude weather systems and numerical weather prediction, (ii) a concrete application of this knowledge to predict and discuss the "weather of the week", and (iii) an in-depth case study analysis, performed in small groups, of a remarkable past weather event.
ObjectiveStudents will learn how to elaborate a weather prediction and to cope with uncertainties of weather (probabilistic) prediction models. They will also learn how to apply theoretical concepts from other lecture courses on atmospheric dynamics to perform a detailed case study of a specific weather event, using state-of-the-art observational and model-derived products and datasets.
701-1211-01LMaster's Seminar: Atmosphere and Climate 1W3 credits2SE. Fischer, T. Ewen, M. A. Wüest
AbstractIn this seminar the knowledge exchange between you and the other students is promoted. You attend lectures on scientific writing and you train your scientific writing skills by writing a proposal for your MSc thesis. You receive critical and constructive feedback through the review by your future supervisors.
ObjectiveScientific writing skills
How to effectively write a scientific proposal.
ContentIn this seminar the knowledge exchange between you and the other students is promoted. You attend lectures on scientific writing and you train your scientific writing skills by writing a proposal for your MSc thesis. You receive critical and constructive feedback through the review by your future supervisors.
Prerequisites / NoticePlease register for this seminar 1 in the semester before writing your MSc thesis.
Attendance is mandatory.
651-4095-01LColloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1 Information W1 credit1KU. Lohmann, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, T. Peter, C. Schär, 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 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.
Prerequisites / NoticeTo acquire credit points for this colloquium, please visit the course's web page and sign up for one of the groups.
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