Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2017
MAS in Sustainable Water Resources The Master of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Water Resources is a 12 month full time postgraduate diploma programme. The focus of the programme is on issues of sustainability and water resources in Latin America, with special attention given to the impacts of development and climate change on water resources. The programme combines multidisciplinary coursework with high level research. Sample research topics include: water quality, water quantity, water for agriculture, water for the environment, adaptation to climate change, and integrated water resource management. Language: English. Credit hours: 66 ECTS. For further information please visit: Link | ||||||
Foundation Courses | ||||||
Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
118-0101-00L | Water Resources Seminars Number of participants limited to 16. Automatic admittance given to the MAS students. | O | 3 credits | 3S | D. Molnar, P. Burlando | |
Abstract | The Seminar Series features invited experts from a wide range of disciplines, who will present their experiences working with water related topics in international settings. The students will be exposed to many different perspectives, and will be asked to apply the information they learn to specific case studies. | |||||
Objective | The Seminar Series will provide students with background information on the wide range of topics related to water resources. The lectures will challenge the students to evaluate water resources and water resource management in new ways, using tools that have been successfully implemented in real case scenarios. The seminars will include theory, interactive discussions, and the assessment of methodologies. Student participation will be highly encouraged. | |||||
Content | The Seminar Series is aimed at offering students the opportunity to learn about water resources in a multi-disciplinary fashion, with a focus on international examples. Selected topics will include: Water & Sanitation, Urban Water Management, Politics & International Water Management, Water Resources & Agriculture, Water Hazards (floods), Water Resources & Ecosystem Services, Integrated Water Resource Management, and Adaptation to Climate Change. For additional details see the course website Link. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | For further information, contact the MAS coordinator, Darcy Molnar (Link) | |||||
Core Courses Foundation courses: 12 credits have to be achieved. | ||||||
Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
102-0287-00L | Fluvial Systems | W | 3 credits | 2G | P. Molnar | |
Abstract | The course presents a view of the processes acting on and shaping the landscape and the fluvial landforms that result. The fluvial system is viewed in terms of the production and transport of sediment on hillslopes, the structure of the river network and channel morphology, fluvial processes in the river, riparian zone and floodplain, and basics of catchment and river management. | |||||
Objective | The course has two fundamental aims: (1) it aims to provide environmental engineers with the physical process basis of fluvial system change, using the right language and terminology to describe landforms; and (2) it aims to provide quantitative skills in making simple and more complex predictions of change and the data and models required. | |||||
Content | The course consists of three sections: (1) Introduction to fluvial forms and processes and geomorphic concepts of landscape change, including climatic and human activities acting on the system. (2) The processes of sediment production, upland sheet-rill-gully erosion, basin sediment yield, rainfall-triggered landsliding, sediment budgets, and the modelling of the individual processes involved. (3) Processes in the river, floodplain and riparian zone, including river network topology, channel geometry, aquatic habitat, role of riparian vegetation, including basics of fluvial system management. The main focus of the course is hydrological and the scales of interest are field and catchment scales. | |||||
Lecture notes | There is no script. | |||||
Literature | The course materials consist of a series of 13 lecture presentations and notes to each lecture. The lectures were developed from textbooks, professional papers, and ongoing research activities of the instructor. All material is on the course webpage. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisites: Hydrology 1 and Hydrology 2 (or contact instructor). | |||||
102-0237-00L | Hydrology II | W | 3 credits | 2G | P. Burlando, S. Fatichi | |
Abstract | The course presents advanced hydrological analyses of rainfall-runoff processes. The course is given in English. | |||||
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. | |||||
101-0267-01L | Numerical Hydraulics | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Holzner | |
Abstract | In the course Numerical Hydraulics the basics of numerical modelling of flows are presented. | |||||
Objective | The goal of the course is to develop the understanding of the students for numerical simulation of flows to an extent that they can later use commercial software in a responsible and critical way. | |||||
Content | The basic equations are derived from first principles. Possible simplifications relevant for practical problems are shown and their applicability is discussed. Using the example of non-steady state pipe flow numerical methods such as the method of characteristics and finite difference methods are introduced. The finite volume method as well as the method of characteristics are used for the solution of the shallow water equations. Special aspects such as wave propagation and turbulence modelling are also treated. All methods discussed are applied pratically in exercises. This is done using programs in MATLAB which partially are programmed by the students themselves. Further, some generelly available softwares such as Hydraulic Systems and HEC RAS for non-steady flows are used. | |||||
Lecture notes | Lecture notes, powerpoints shown in the lecture and programs used can be downloaded. They are also available in German. | |||||
Literature | Given in lecture | |||||
102-0227-00L | Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management | W | 6 credits | 4G | E. Morgenroth, M. Maurer | |
Abstract | Systematic 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. | |||||
Objective | The 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. | |||||
Content | The 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 notes | Copies of overheads will be made available. | |||||
Literature | There will be a required textbook that students need to purchase: Willi Gujer (2008): Systems Analysis for Water Technology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | This course will be offered together with the course Process Engineering Ia. It is advantageous to follow both courses simultaneously. | |||||
102-0217-00L | Process Engineering Ia | W | 3 credits | 2G | E. Morgenroth | |
Abstract | Biological processes used in wastewater treatment, organic waste management, biological resource recovery. Focus on fundamental principles of biological processes and process design based on kinetic and stoichiometric principles. Processes include anaerobic digestion for biogas production and aerobic wastewater treatment. | |||||
Objective | Students should be able to evaluate and design biological processes. Develop simple mathematical models to simulate treatment processes. | |||||
Content | Stoichiometry Microbial transformation processes Introduction to design and modeling of activated sludge processes Anaerobic processes, industrial applications, sludge stabilization | |||||
Lecture notes | Copies of overheads will be made available. | |||||
Literature | There will be a required textbook that students need to purchase (see Link for further information). | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | For detailed information on prerequisites and information needed from Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling the student should consult the lecture program and important information (syllabus) of Process Engineering I that can be downloaded at Link | |||||
102-0617-00L | Basics and Principles of Radar Remote Sensing for Environmental Applications | W | 3 credits | 2G | I. Hajnsek | |
Abstract | The course will provide the basics and principles of Radar Remote Sensing (specifically Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) and its imaging techniques for the use of environmental parameter estimation. | |||||
Objective | The course should provide an understanding of SAR techniques and the use of the imaging tools for bio/geophysical parameter estimation. At the end of the course the student has the understanding of 1. SAR basics and principles, 2. SAR polarimetry, 3. SAR interferometry and 4. environmental parameter estimation from multi-parametric SAR data | |||||
Content | The course is giving an introduction into SAR techniques, the interpretation of SAR imaging responses and the use of SAR for different environmental applications. The outline of the course is the following: 1. Introduction into SAR basics and principles 2. Introduction into electromagnetic wave theory 3. Introduction into scattering theory and decomposition techniques 4. Introduction into SAR interferometry 5. Introduction into polarimetric SAR interferometry 6. Introduction into bio/geophysical parameter estimation (classification/segmentation, soil moisture estimation, earth quake and volcano monitoring, forest height inversion, wood biomass estimation etc.) | |||||
Lecture notes | Handouts for each topic will be provided | |||||
Literature | First readings for the course: Woodhouse, I. H., Introduction into Microwave Remote Sensing, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2006. Lee, J.-S., Pottier, E., Polarimetric Radar Imaging: From Basics to Applications, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2009. Complete literature listing will be provided during the course. | |||||
102-0215-00L | Urban Water Management II | W | 4 credits | 2G | M. Maurer, P. Staufer | |
Abstract | Technical networks in urban water engineering. Water supply: Optimization, water hammer, corrosion and hygiene. Urban drainage: Urban hydrology, non stationary flow, pollutant transport, infiltration of rainwater, wet weather pollution control. General planning, organisation and operation of regional drainage systems. | |||||
Objective | Consolidation of the basic procedures for design and operation of technical networks in water engineering. | |||||
Content | Demand Side Management versus Supply Side Management Optimierung von Wasserverteilnetzen Druckstösse Kalkausfällung, Korrosion von Leitungen Hygiene in Verteilsystemen Siedlungshydrologie: Niederschlag, Abflussbildung Instationäre Strömungen in Kanalisationen Stofftransport in der Kanalisation Einleitbedingungen bei Regenwetter Versickerung von Regenwasser Generelle Entwässerungsplanung (GEP) | |||||
Lecture notes | Written material and copies of the overheads will be available. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisite: Introduction to Urban Water Management | |||||
Electives Electives: 6 credits has to be achieved. | ||||||
Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
401-6215-00L | Using R for Data Analysis and Graphics (Part I) | W | 1.5 credits | 1G | A. Drewek, M. Mächler | |
Abstract | The course provides the first part an introduction to the statistical software R for scientists. Topics covered are data generation and selection, graphical and basic statistical functions, creating simple functions, basic types of objects. | |||||
Objective | The students will be able to use the software R for simple data analysis. | |||||
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: Link 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. Link | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | The course resources will be provided via the Moodle web learning platform Please login (with your ETH (or other University) username+password) at Link Choose the course "Using R for Data Analysis and Graphics" and follow the instructions for registration. | |||||
651-4077-00L | Quantification and Modeling of the Cryosphere: Dynamic Processes (University of Zurich) No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding module directly at UZH. UZH Module Code: GEO815 Mind the enrolment deadlines at UZH: Link | W | 3 credits | 1V | University lecturers | |
Abstract | Overview of the most important earth surface processes and landforms in cold regions (regions with glaciers and intense frost) with emphasis on high-mountain aspects. Discussion of present research challenges. | |||||
Objective | Knowledge of the most prominent climate-related geomorphological processes and phenomena in high-mountain regions, understanding of primary research challenges. | |||||
Content | Erosion and sedimentation by glaciers as a function of topography, englacial temperature, sediment balance, sliding and melt water runoff. Processes and landforms in regions of seasonal and perennial frost (frost weathering, rock falls, debris cones/talus, solifluction, permafrost creep/rock glaciers, debris flows). | |||||
Lecture notes | Glacial and periglacial geomorphodynamics in high-mountain regions. Ca. 100 pages. | |||||
Literature | references in skript | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Basic knowledge about geomorphology and glaciers/permafrost from corresponding courses at ETH/UZH or from the related lecture notes | |||||
701-1341-00L | Water Resources and Drinking Water Does not take place this semester. | W | 3 credits | 2G | S. Hug, M. Berg, F. Hammes, U. von Gunten | |
Abstract | The course covers qualitative (chemistry and microbiology) and quantitative aspects of drinking water from the resource to the tap. Natural processes, anthropogenic pollution, legislation of groundwater and surface water and of drinking water as well as water treatment will be discussed for industrialized and developing countries. | |||||
Objective | The goal of this lecture is to give an overview over the whole path of drinking water from the source to the tap and understand the involved physical, chemical and biological processes which determine the drinking water quality. | |||||
Content | The course covers qualitative (chemistry and microbiology) and quantitative aspects of drinking water from the resource to the tap. The various water resources, particularly groundwater and surface water, are discussed as part of the natural water cycle influenced by anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, industry, urban water systems. Furthermore legislation related to water resources and drinking water will be discussed. The lecture is focused on industrialized countries, but also addresses global water issues and problems in the developing world. Finally unit processes for drinking water treatment (filtration, adsorption, oxidation, disinfection etc.) will be presented and discussed. | |||||
Lecture notes | Handouts will be distributed | |||||
Literature | Will be mentioned in handouts | |||||
651-4101-00L | Physics of Glaciers | W | 3 credits | 3G | M. Lüthi, G. Jouvet, F. T. Walter, M. Werder | |
Abstract | Understanding glaciers and ice sheets with simple physical concepts. Topics include the reaction of glaciers to the climate, flow of glacier ice, temperature in glaciers and ice sheets, glacier hydrology, glacier seismology, basal motion and calving glaciers. A special focus is the current development of Greenland and Antarctica. | |||||
Objective | After the course the students are able understand and interpret measurements of ice flow, subglacial water pressure and ice temperature. They will have an understanding of glaciology-related physical concepts sufficient to understand most of the contemporary literature on the topic. The students will be well equipped to work on glacier-related problems by numerical modeling, remote sensing, and field work. | |||||
Content | The dynamics of glaciers and polar ice sheets is the key requisite to understand their history and their future evolution. We will take a closer look at ice deformation, basal motion, heat flow and glacier hydraulics. The specific dynamics of tide water and calving glaciers is investigated, as is the reaction of glaciers to changes in mass balance (and therefore climate). | |||||
Lecture notes | Link | |||||
Literature | A list of relevant literature is available on the class web site. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Good high school mathematics and physics knowledge required. | |||||
701-1631-00L | Foundations of Ecosystem Management | W | 5 credits | 3G | J. Ghazoul, C. Garcia | |
Abstract | This course introduces the broad variety of conflicts that arise in projects focusing on sustainable management of natural resources. It explores case studies of ecosystem management approaches and considers their practicability, their achievements and possible barriers to their uptake. | |||||
Objective | Students should be able to a) propose appropriate and realistic solutions to ecosystem management problems that integrate ecological, economic and social dimensions across relevant temporal and spatial scales. b) identify important stakeholders, their needs and interests, and the main conflicts that exist among them in the context of land and resource management. | |||||
Content | Traditional management systems focus on extraction of natural resources, and their manipulation and governance. However, traditional management has frequently resulted in catastrophic failures such as, for example, the collapse of fish stocks and biodiversity loss. These failures have stimulated the development of alternative ‘ecosystem management’ approaches that emphasise the functionality of human-dominated systems. Inherent to such approaches are system-wide perspectives and a focus on ecological processes and services, multiple spatial and temporal scales, as well as the need to incorporate diverse stakeholder interests in decision making. Thus, ecosystem management is the science and practice of managing natural resources, biodiversity and ecological processes, to meet multiple demands of society. It can be local, regional or global in scope, and addresses critical issues in developed and developing countries relating to economic and environmental security and sustainability. This course provides an introduction to ecosystem management, and in particular the importance of integrating ecology into management systems to meet multiple societal demands. The course explores the extent to which human-managed terrestrial systems depend on underlying ecological processes, and the consequences of degradation of these processes for human welfare and environmental well-being. Building upon a theoretical foundation, the course will tackle issues in resource ecology and management, notably forests, agriculture and wild resources within the broader context of sustainability, biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation or economic development. Case studies from tropical and temperate regions will be used to explore these issues. Dealing with ecological and economic uncertainty, and how this affects decision making, will be discussed. Strategies for conservation and management of terrestrial ecosystems will give consideration to landscape ecology, protected area systems, and community management, paying particular attention to alternative livelihood options and marketing strategies of common pool resources. | |||||
Lecture notes | No Script | |||||
Literature | Chichilnisky, G. and Heal, G. (1998) Economic returns from the biosphere. Nature, 391: 629-630. Daily, G.C. (1997) Nature’s Services: Societal dependence on natural ecosystems. Island Press. Washington DC. Hindmarch, C. and Pienkowski, M. (2000) Land Management: The Hidden Costs. Blackwell Science. Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press, Washington DC. Milner-Gulland, E.J. and Mace, R. (1998) Conservation of Biological Resources. Blackwell Science. Gunderson, L.H. and Holling, C.S. (2002) Panarchy: understanding transformations in human and natural systems. Island Press. | |||||
701-0727-00L | Politics of Environmental Problem Solving in Developing Countries | W | 2 credits | 2G | U. Scheidegger | |
Abstract | The course focuses on processes and drivers of decision-making on natural resources management issues in developing countries. It gives insights into the relevance of ecological aspects in developing countries. It covers concepts, instruments, processes and actors in environmental politics at the example of specific environmental challenges of global importance. | |||||
Objective | After completion of the module, students will be able to: - Identify and appraise ecological aspects in development cooperation, development policies and developing countries' realities - Analyze the forces, components and processes, which influence the design, the implementation and the outcome of ecological measures - Characterize concepts, instruments and drivers of environmental politics and understand, how policies are shaped, both at national level and in multilateral negotiations - Study changes (improvements) in environmental politics over time as the result of the interaction of processes and actors, including international development organizations - Analyze politics and design approaches to influence them, looking among others at governance, social organization, legal issues and institutions | |||||
Content | Key issues and basic concepts related to environmental politics are introduced. Then the course predominantly builds on case studies, providing information on the context, specifying problems and potentials, describing processes, illustrating the change management, discussing experiences and outcomes, successes and failures. The analysis of the cases elucidates factors for success and pitfalls in terms of processes, key elements and intervention strategies. Different cases not only deal with different environmental problems, but also focus on different levels and degrees of formality. This ranges from local interventions with resource user groups as key stakeholders, to country level policies, to multi- and international initiatives and conventions. Linkages and interaction of the different system levels are highlighted. Special emphasis is given to natural resources management. The cases address the following issues: - Land use and soil fertility enhancement: From degradation to sustainable use - Common property resource management (forest and pasture): Collective action and property rights, community-based management - Ecosystem health (integrated pest management, soil and water conservation) - Payment for environmental services: Successes in natural resources management - Climate change and agriculture: Adaptation and mitigation possibilities - Biodiversity Convention: Implications for conservations and access to genetic resources - Biodiversity as a means for more secure livelihoods: Agroforestry and intercropping - The Millennium Development Goals: Interactions between poverty and the environment - Poverty and natural resources management: Poverty reduction strategies, the view of the poor themselves - Food security: Policies, causes for insecurity, the role of land grabbing - Biofuels and food security: Did politics misfire? - Strategy development at global level: IAASTD and World Development Report 2008 | |||||
Lecture notes | Information concerning the case studies and specific issues illustrated therein will be provided during the course (uploaded on Moodle) | |||||
Literature | Robbins P, 2004. Political ecology: a critical introduction. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, 242 p. Peet R, Robbins P, Watts M, 2011. Global political ecology. Routledge, New York, 450 p. Keeley J, Scoones I, 2000. Knowledge, power and politics: the environmental policy-making process in Ethiopia. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 38(1), 89-120. | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | The performance assessment will consist of an individual essay to be written by each student based on at least five references in addition to the sources provided in the course. Students can choose from a list of topics. Criteria for assessment will be communicated at the beginning of the course. | |||||
701-0535-00L | Environmental Soil Physics/Vadose Zone Hydrology | W | 3 credits | 2G + 2U | D. Or | |
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. Emphasis is given to land-atmosphere interactions, the role of plants on hydrological cycles, and biophysical processes in soils. | |||||
Objective | Students are able to - characterize quantitative knowledge needed to measure and parameterize structural, flow and transport properties of partially-saturated porous media. - quantify driving forces and resulting fluxes of water, solute, and heat in soils. - apply modern measurement methods and analytical tools for hydrological data collection - conduct and interpret a limited number of experimental studies - 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 Demo-Lab: Laboratory methods for determination of soil water characteristic curve (SWC), sensor pairing 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. Lab #1: Measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity in uniform and layered soil columns using the constant head method. Part 2 - Unsaturated steady state flow; unsaturated hydraulic conductivity models and applications; non-steady flow and Richard’s Eq.; approximate solutions to infiltration (Green-Ampt, Philip); field methods for estimating soil hydraulic properties. Midterm exam Lab #2: Measurement of vertical infiltration into dry soil column - Green-Ampt, and Philip's approximations; infiltration rates and wetting front propagation. Part 3 - Use of Hydrus model for simulation of unsaturated flow Week 10 to 11: 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 12 to 13: Solute Transport in Soils – Transport mechanisms of solutes in porous media; breakthrough curves; convection-dispersion eq.; solutions for pulse and step solute application; parameter estimation; salt balance. Lab #3: Miscible displacement and breakthrough curves for a conservative tracer through a column; data analysis and transport parameter estimation. Additional topics: Temperature and Heat Flow in Porous Media - Soil thermal properties; steady state heat flow; nonsteady heat flow; estimation of thermal properties; engineering applications. Biological Processes in the Vaodse Zone – An overview of below-ground biological activity (plant roots, microbial, etc.); interplay between physical and biological processes. Focus on soil-atmosphere gaseous exchange; and challenges for bio- and phytoremediation. | |||||
Lecture notes | Classnotes on website: Vadose Zone Hydrology, by Or D., J.M. Wraith, and M. Tuller (available at the beginning of the semester) Link | |||||
Literature | Supplemental textbook (not mandatory) -Environmental Soil Physics, by: D. Hillel | |||||
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. | |||||
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 "Regression" 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. | |||||
701-1251-00L | Land-Climate Dynamics Number of participants limited to 36. | W | 3 credits | 2G | S. I. Seneviratne, E. L. Davin | |
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. | |||||
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 | |||||
701-1551-00L | Sustainability Assessment | W | 3 credits | 2G | P. Krütli, C. E. Pohl | |
Abstract | The course deals with the concepts and methodologies for the analysis and assessment of sustainable development. A special focus is given to the social dimension and to social justice as a guiding principle of sustainability as well as to trade-offs between the three dimensions of sustainability. The course is seminar-like, interactive. | |||||
Objective | At the end of the course students should Know: - core concepts of sustainable development, and; - the concept of social justice as a core element of social sustainability; - important empirical methods for the analysis and assessment of local / regional sustainability issues. Understand and reflect on: - the challenges of trade-offs between the different goals of sustainable development; - and the respective impacts on individual and societal decision-making. | |||||
Content | The course is structured as follows: - Overview of rationale, objectives, concepts and origins of sustainable development; - Importance and application of sustainability in science, politics, society, and economy; - Sustainable (local / regional) development in different national / international contexts; - Analysis and evaluation methods of sustainable development with a focus on social justice; - Trade-offs in selected examples. | |||||
Lecture notes | Handouts. | |||||
Literature | Selected scientific articles & book chapters | |||||
701-0015-00L | Transdisciplinary Research: Challenges of Interdisciplinarity and Stakeholder Engagement | W | 2 credits | 2S | M. Stauffacher, C. E. Pohl | |
Abstract | This seminar is designed for PhD students and PostDoc researchers from all departments involved in inter- or transdisciplinary research. It addresses challenges of this kind of research and discusses these using scientific literature presenting case studies, concepts, theories, methods and tools. It concludes with a 10-step approach to make participants' research projects more societally relevant. | |||||
Objective | Participants know specific challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research. They know concepts and methods to tackle questions like: how to integrate knowledge from different disciplines, how to engage with other societal actors, how to secure broader impact of research? They learn to critically reflect their research project in its societal context and on their role as scientists. | |||||
Content | The seminar covers the following topics: (1) Theories and concepts of inter- and transdisciplinary research (2) The specific challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research (3) Collaborating disciplines (4) Engaging with stakeholders (5) Exploration of tools and methods (6) 10 steps to make participants' research projects more societally relevant | |||||
Literature | Literature will be made available to the participants | |||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Participation in the course requires participants to be working on their own research project. | |||||
701-1644-00L | Mountain Forest Hydrology | W | 5 credits | 3G | J. W. Kirchner | |
Abstract | This course presents a process-based view of the hydrology, biogeochemistry, and geomorphology of mountain streams. Students learn how to integrate process knowledge, data, and models to understand how landscapes regulate the fluxes of water, sediment, nutrients, and pollutants in streams, and to anticipate how streams will respond to changes in land use, atmospheric deposition, and climate. | |||||
Objective | Students will have a broad understanding of the hydrological, biogeochemical, and geomorphological functioning of mountain catchments. They will practice using data and models to frame and test hypotheses about connections between streams and landscapes. | |||||
Content | Streams are integrated monitors of the health and functioning of their surrounding landscapes. Streams integrate the fluxes of water, solutes, and sediment from their contributing catchment area; thus they reflect the spatially integrated hydrological, ecophysiological, biogeochemical, and geomorphological processes in the surrounding landscape. At a practical level, there is a significant public interest in managing forested upland landscapes to provide a reliable supply of high-quality surface water and to minimize the risk of catastrophic flooding and debris flows, but the scientific background for such management advice is still evolving. Using a combination of lectures, field exercises, and data analysis, we explore the processes controlling the delivery of water, solutes, and sediment to streams, and how those processes are affected by changes in land cover, land use, and climate. We review the connections between process understanding and predictive modeling in these complex environmental systems. How well can we understand the processes controlling watershed-scale phenomena, and what uncertainties are unavoidable? What are the relative advantages of top-down versus bottom-up approaches? How much can "black box" analyses reveal about what is happening inside the black box? Conversely, can small-scale, micro-mechanistic approaches be successfully "scaled up" to predict whole-watershed behavior? Practical problems to be considered include the effects of land use, atmospheric deposition, and climate on streamflow, water quality, and sediment dynamics, illustrated with data from experimental watersheds in North America, Scandinavia, and Europe. | |||||
Lecture notes | Handouts will be available as they are developed. | |||||
Literature | Recommended and required reading will be specified at the first class session (with possible modifications as the semester proceeds). |
- Page 1 of 2 All