Rolf Kipfer: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Rolf Kipfer |
| Address | EAWAG Überlandstrasse 133 Abteilung Wasserresourcen und Trin 8600 Dübendorf SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | 044 823 55 30 |
| Fax | 044 823 52 10 |
| rolf.kipfer@usys.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Adjunct Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-0401-AAL | Hydrosphere 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 | M. H. Schroth, R. Kipfer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this self-study course, students learn about relevant processes that control the water cycle on earth. Energy and mass exchange, mixing and transport processes are described and the coupling of the hydrosphere with the atmosphere and the solid Earth are discussed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Qualitative and quantitative understanding on how physical (and geochemical) processes control the natural dynamics in groundwater, lakes ans oceans and constrain the exchange of mass and energy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Topics of the course. Physical properties of water (i.e. density and equation of state) - global water resources Exchange at boundaries - energy (thermal & kinetic), gas exchange Mixing and transport processes in open waters - vertical stratification, large scale transport - turbulence and mixing - mixing and exchange processes in rivers Groundwater and its dynamics - ground water as part of the terrestrial water cycle - ground water hydraulics, Darcy's law - aquifers and their properties - hydrochemistry and tracer - ground water use Case studies - 1. Water as resource, 2. Water and climate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Textbooks for self-studying. Surface water. 'Physics and Chemistry in Lakes', ed: Lerman, A., Imboden, D.M., and Gat, J., Springer Verlag, 1995: Chapter 4: Imboden, D.M., and Wüest, A. 'Mixing Mechanisms in Lakes' 'Environmental Organic Chemistry', ed: Schwarzenbach, R., Imboden, D. M., and Gschwend, Ph., Willey, 2002: Chapter 6.4: Air-Water Partitioning Chapter 19.2: Bottleneck Boundaries Ground water: Fitts, C.R., 2013. Groundwater Science. 2nd ed., Academic Press, Amsterdam. Optional additional readers. Park, Ch., 2001, The Environment, Routledge, 2001 Fetter, C.W. 'Applied Hydrogeology', Prentice Hall, 1994 (3rd edition). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0401-00L | Hydrosphere | 3 credits | 2V | M. H. Schroth, R. Kipfer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course aims to describe the relevant processes that control the terrestrial water cycle. Energy and mass exchange, mixing and transport processes are described and the coupling of the hydrosphere with the atmosphere and the solid Earth are discussed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Qualitative and quantitative understanding on how physical (and geochemical) processes control the natural dynamics in groundwater, lakes ans oceans and constrain the exchange of mass and energy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Topics of the course. Physical properties of water (i.e. density and equation of state) - global water resources Exchange at boundaries - energy (thermal & kinetic), gas exchange Mixing and transport processes in open waters - vertical stratification, large scale transport - turbulence and mixing - mixing and exchange processes in rivers Groundwater and its dynamics - ground water as part of the terrestrial water cycle - ground water hydraulics, Darcy's law - aquifers and their properties - hydrochemistry and tracer - ground water use Case studies - 1. Water as resource, 2. Water and climate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | In addition to the suggested literature handouts are distributed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Suggested literature. a) Park, Ch., 2001, The Environment, Routledge, 2001 b) Fitts, C.R., 2013. Groundwater Science. 2nd ed., Academic Press, Amsterdam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The case studies and the analysis of the questions and problems are integral part of the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-1302-00L | Term Paper 2: Seminar  Prerequisite: Term Paper 1: Writing (701-1303-00L). | 2 credits | 1S | L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Casacuberta Arola, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, R. Kipfer, R. Kretzschmar, K. McNeill, D. Mitrano, M. Müller, M. Sander, M. H. Schroth, C. Schubert | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of "Term Paper 1: Writing". The results from the term paper written during the previous term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed with the audience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The goal of the term paper seminars is to train the student's ability to communicate (scientific) results to a wider audience and the ability to respond to questions and comments. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Each student presents the results of their term paper to fellow students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and ensuing discussion. To obtain the credits, it is mandatory to attend at least 60% of all seminar dates offered in the fall and spring semester. Active participation in discussion and feedback rounds is expected. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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| 701-1303-00L | Term Paper 1: Writing | 5 credits | 6A | L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Casacuberta Arola, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, R. Kipfer, R. Kretzschmar, K. McNeill, D. Mitrano, M. Müller, M. Sander, M. H. Schroth, C. Schubert | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarise the information in a succinct manner is an important skill for any student. This course aims to practice this ability, requiring each student to write a term paper of scientific quality on a topic of relevance for research in the areas of biogeochemistry and pollutant dynamics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The goal of the term paper is to train the student's ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to summarise the findings concisely in a paper addressing a research question. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - narrow down a research question. - identify relevant literature to address the research question. - concisely summarise and critically evaluate their findings. - formulate key outstanding questions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Each student is expected to write a paper with a length of approximately 15-20 pages. The students can choose from a list of topics prepared by the tutors, but the final topic will be determined based on a balance of choice and availability. The students will be guided and advised by their tutors throughout the course. The paper itself should contain the following elements: - Motivation and context of the given topic (25%) - Concise presentation and critical evaluation of the state of the science (50%) - Identification of open questions and perhaps outline of opportunities for research (25%) In addition, the accurate use of citations, attribution of ideas, and the judicious use of figures, tables, equations and references are critical components of a successful paper. Specialised knowledge is not expected, nor required; neither is new research. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Original scientific literature will be identified based on the chosen topic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The term paper course is primarily aimed at master students majoring in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics and ISTP students with a solid background in natural sciences and a strong interest in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics. Each students submits a term paper that will be reviewed by one fellow student and one faculty. The submission of the term paper and a written review of another student's term paper are a condition for obtaining the credit points. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the term paper and the submitted review as well as on the presentation in the following term. Results from the term paper will be presented to fellow students and involved faculty in the following semester ("Term Paper 2: Seminar"). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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