Christoph Schär: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Name	Prof. em. Dr. Christoph Schär
Field	Climate and Water Cycle
Address	Institut für Atmosphäre und Klima ETH Zürich, CHN M 12.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 81 99
E-mail	schaer@env.ethz.ch
URL	http://www.iac.ethz.ch/people/schaer/
Department	Environmental Systems Science
Relationship	Professor emeritus

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
151-8007-00L	Urban Physics	3 credits	3G	J. Carmeliet, D. W. Brunner, A. Rubin, C. Schär, D. A. Strebel, H. Wernli, J. M. Wunderli, Y. Zhao
Abstract	Urban physics: wind, wind comfort, pollutant dispersion, natural ventilation, driving rain, heat islands, climate change and weather conditions, urban acoustics and energy use in the urban context.
Learning objective	- Basic knowledge of the global climate and the local microclimate around buildings - Impact of urban environment on wind, ventilation, rain, pollutants, acoustics and energy, and their relation to comfort, durability, air quality and energy demand - Application of urban physics concepts in urban design
Content	- Climate Change. The Global Picture: global energy balance, global climate models, the IPCC process. Towards regional climate scenarios: role of spatial resolution, overview of approaches, hydrostatic RCMs, cloud-resolving RCMs - Urban micro climate and comfort: urban heat island effect, wind flow and radiation in the built environment, convective heat transport modelling, heat balance and ventilation of urban spaces - impact of morphology, outdoor wind comfort, outdoor thermal comfort, - Urban energy and urban design. Energy performance of building quarters and cities, decentralized urban energy production and storage technologies, district heating networks, optimization of energy consumption at district level, effect of the micro climate, urban heat islands, and climate change on the energy performance of buildings and building blocks. - Wind driving rain (WDR): WDR phenomena, WDR experimental and modeling, wind blocking effect, applications and moisture durability - Pollutant dispersion. pollutant cycle : emission, transport and deposition, air quality - Urban acoustics. noise propagation through the urban environment, meteorological effects, urban acoustic modeling, noise reduction measures, urban vegetation
Lecture notes	The course lectures and material are provided online via Moodle.
Prerequisites / Notice	For MIBS Master students 151-8011-ooL Building Phyics Theory & Application is a pre-requisit for this course or instructor permission. For others no prior knowledge is required.
401-5930-00L	Seminar in Physics of the Atmosphere for CSE	4 credits	2S	H. Joos, C. Schär
Abstract	The process of writing a scientific proposal is introduced and the essential elements, including the peer review process, are outlined and class exercises train scientific writing skills. Knowledge exchange between class participants is promoted through the preparation of a master thesis proposal and evaluation of each other's work. An introduction to presentation skills is provided.
Learning objective	- scientific writing - introduction to peer review process - correction / feedback to the proposals of other participants - presentation skills
Content	n this seminar, the process of writing a scientific proposal is introduced. The essential elements of a proposal, including the peer review process, are outlined and class exercises train scientific writing skills. Knowledge exchange between class participants is promoted through the preparation of a master thesis proposal and evaluation of each other's work. Furthermore, an introduction to presentation skills is provided.
Prerequisites / Notice	In this seminar it is mandatory to write a proposal about an upcoming MSc thesis or semester project. If no such project is planned, this Seminar cannot be taken. Please contact the lecturers (hanna.joos@env.ethz.ch) on time if you plan to take this seminar.
651-2915-00L	Seminar in Hydrology	0 credits	1S	P. Burlando, J. W. Kirchner, S. Löw, C. Schär, M. Schirmer, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Stähli, C. H. Stamm, University lecturers
Abstract
Learning objective
651-4095-01L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1	1 credit	1K	H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
Abstract	The 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.
Learning objective	The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
651-4095-02L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2	1 credit	1K	H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
Abstract	The 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.
Learning objective	The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
651-4095-03L	Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3	1 credit	1K	H. Joos, H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild
Abstract	The 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.
Learning objective	The students are exposed to different atmospheric science topics and learn how to take part in scientific discussions.
701-0027-00L	Environmental Systems I	2 credits	2V	C. Schär, N. Dubois, G. Velicer
Abstract	The lecture provides a science-based exploration of environmental aspects from three research fields: earth, climate, and health sciences.
Learning objective	The students are able to explain important properties of the three environmental systems, to discuss critical drivers, trends and conflicts of their use, and to compare potential solutions.
Content	The lecture discusses the role of the environmental systems based on selected environmental problems, among these the exploration of raw materials and fossil fuels, climate change and its impacts on man and environment, and the spread and control of infectious diseases in the human population and agricultural systems.
Lecture notes	Slides are provided by instructors and are accessible via moodle.
701-0461-AAL	Numerical Methods in Environmental Sciences Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.	3 credits	6R	C. Schär
Abstract	This lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
Learning objective	This lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
Content	Classification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, an overview of spectral and finite-element methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science. Three obligatory exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Matlab (previous experience not necessary: a Matlab introduction is given). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied.
Lecture notes	Is provided (CHF 10.- per copy).
Literature	List of literature is provided.
701-0461-00L	Numerical Methods in Environmental Sciences	3 credits	2G	C. Schär, C. Zeman
Abstract	This lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
Learning objective	This lecture imparts the mathematical basis necessary for the development and application of numerical models in the field of Environmental Science. The lecture material includes an introduction into numerical techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, as well as exercises aimed at the realization of simple models.
Content	Classification of numerical problems, introduction to finite-difference methods, time integration schemes, non-linearity, conservative numerical techniques, an overview of spectral and finite-element methods. Examples and exercises from a diverse cross-section of Environmental Science. Three obligatory exercises, each two hours in length, are integrated into the lecture. The implementation language is Python (previous experience not necessary: a Phython introduction is given). Example programs and graphics tools are supplied.
Lecture notes	Per Web auf http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/bachelor/vertiefung/numerical-methods-in-environmental-physics.html
Literature	List of literature is provided.
701-1257-00L	European Climate Change	3 credits	2G	C. Schär, J. Rajczak, S. C. Scherrer
Abstract	The lecture provides an overview of climate change in Europe, from a physical and atmospheric science perspective. It covers the following topics: • observational datasets, observation and detection of climate change; • underlying physical processes and feedbacks; • numerical and statistical approaches; • currently available projections.
Learning objective	At the end of this course, participants should: • understand the key physical processes shaping climate change in Europe; • know about the methodologies used in climate change studies, encompassing observational, numerical, as well as statistical approaches; • be familiar with relevant observational and modeling data sets; • be able to tackle simple climate change questions using available data sets.
Content	Contents: • global context • observational data sets, analysis of climate trends and climate variability in Europe • global and regional climate modeling • statistical downscaling • key aspects of European climate change: intensification of the water cycle, Polar and Mediterranean amplification, changes in extreme events, changes in hydrology and snow cover, topographic effects • projections of European and Alpine climate change
Lecture notes	Slides and lecture notes will be made available at http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/electives/european-climate-change.html
Prerequisites / Notice	Participants should have a background in natural sciences, and have attended introductory lectures in atmospheric sciences or meteorology.