Lenny Winkel: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2023

Award: The Golden Owl
Name Prof. Dr. Lenny Winkel
FieldEnvironmental Inorganic Geochemistry
Address
I. f. Biogeochemie/Schadstoffdyn.
ETH Zürich, CHN E 19.1
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 87 12
E-maillwinkel@ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0034-23LIntegrated Practical Course: Carbonate Chemistry in Aquatic Systems Restricted registration - show details 2 credits3PL. Winkel, A. Nghiem, A. Stenke
AbstractWhy is the pH of aquatic systems of interest? What factors determine the pH of aquatic systems? This practical course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the fascinating field of carbonate chemistry in natural waters. The course combines field measurements with statistical analysis of independently collected data sets.
Learning objectiveThe students ...
• get an overview of scientific work in the field ("best practice")
• learn common methods for collecting chemical measurements in water systems
• learn to use simple statistical tools for data analysis
• understand the principles of carbonate chemistry in water systems and its importance
• gain experience with the variability of environmental systems
ContentDas Praktikum gibt eine Einführung in die wichtigsten chemischen Prozesse in aquatischen Systemen. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt dabei auf dem Karbonatsystem, welches eine wichtige Rolle bei der Regulierung des pH-Wertes spielt. Hierbei werden wir verschiedene Süsswassersysteme wie Flüsse, Seen, Grundwasser usw. genauer unter die Lupe nehmen, um deren typischen pH-Werte und die zugrunde liegende Chemie besser zu verstehen. Des Weiteren werden wir die Bedeutung des pH-Werts beleuchten: Aufgrund seines Einflusses auf vielerlei chemische und biologische Prozesse wird der pH-Wert auch als “Master Variable” bezeichnet.

Folgenden Fragen werden wir nachgehen: Welche Faktoren bestimmen den pH-Wert dieser aquatischen Systeme? Warum ist deren Kenntnis von Bedeutung? Warum unterscheiden sich die pH-Werte verschiedener Systeme, oder auch nicht? Wie werden die relevanten Grössen gemessen? Wie werten wir die Daten am besten aus?

Im ersten Teil des Praktikums werden wir einige grundlegende Prinzipien der aquatischen Chemie diskutieren. Danach folgt eine Einführung in die akkurate Anwendung unterschiedlicher Messinstrumente. Dazu führen wir Messungen an verschiedenen Wassersystemen rund um Dübendorf durch. Im zweiten Teil werden einfache graphische und statistische Methoden zur grundlegenden Datenanalyse vermittelt und damit die eigenen Messdaten ausgewertet. Im letzten Teil werden wir unsere Messungen und die neu gewonnenen Erkenntnisse mit Datensätzen von anderen aquatischen Systemen und auf anderen Zeitskalen vergleichen.
LiteratureErgänzende Literatur wird den Studierenden im Verlauf des Praktikums zur Verfügung gestellt.
701-0420-01LPractical Course in Biogeochemistry7 credits14PL. Winkel, H. Bürgmann, D. Janssen, P. U. Lehmann Grunder, K. McNeill, M. H. Schroth, A. Voegelin
AbstractFirst, the students learn how to analyze soil systems with physical, chemical and microbiological methods. Later, the students train their experimental skills by conducting kinetic experiments in the laboratory and by quantifying process rates under field conditions in a river.
Learning objectiveThe students learn to apply physical, chemical and microbiological analysis tools in the laboratroy and the field. They use their theoretical knowledge to interpret their own data, and to critically assess and document them.
Lecture notesDescriptions of the methodologies will be provided.
701-1302-00LTerm Paper 2: Seminar Restricted registration - show details
Prerequisite: Term Paper 1: Writing (701-1303-00L).
2 credits1SL. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Casacuberta Arola, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, R. Kipfer, R. Kretzschmar, K. McNeill, D. M. Mitrano, M. Müller, M. Sander, M. H. Schroth, C. Schubert
AbstractThis 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 objectiveThe 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.
ContentEach student presents the results of their term paper to fellow students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience.
Lecture notesGuidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform.
Prerequisites / NoticeThere 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.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesfostered
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Media and Digital Technologiesfostered
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Personal CompetenciesCreative Thinkingfostered
Critical Thinkingassessed
701-1303-00LTerm Paper 1: Writing Restricted registration - show details 5 credits6AL. Winkel, M. Ackermann, N. Casacuberta Arola, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, R. Kipfer, R. Kretzschmar, K. McNeill, D. M. Mitrano, M. Müller, M. Sander, M. H. Schroth, C. Schubert
AbstractThe 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 objectiveThe 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.
ContentEach 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 notesGuidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform.
LiteratureOriginal scientific literature will be identified based on the chosen topic.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe 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").
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesfostered
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Personal CompetenciesCritical Thinkingassessed
Self-direction and Self-management fostered