Tobias Schmidt: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2024 |  |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Tobias Schmidt |
| Field | Energy and Technology Policy |
| Address | Energie- und Technologiepolitik ETH Zürich, CLD C 12.1 Clausiusstrasse 37 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 04 86 |
| tobiasschmidt@ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.epg.ethz.ch |
| Department | Humanities, Social and Political Sciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170-0008-00L | Investment Appraisal and Cost Effectiveness Analysis  This course unit is part of a joint ETH Master's program with Ashesi University Ghana. Enrollment takes place at Ashesi University. | 2.5 credits | 5G | T. Schmidt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Decision makers in the private and public sectors need to understand how to take informed investment decisions. This course introduces the students to the basic concepts of investment appraisal and cost effectiveness analysis. Besides theoretical knowledge, this course will use several case studies in which the concepts and methods are applied. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Learn about the basic concepts of different types of finance and methods on investment appraisal (IA) Understand how these concepts are linked to cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) Be able to independently analyse an investment opportunity, applying IA/CEA methods Comprehend the role of risk in investment decisions and how risks can be addressed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0609-06L | Governing the Energy Transition Primarily suited for Master and PhD level. | 2 credits | 2V | T. Schmidt, L. P. Fesenfeld | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course addresses the role of policy and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy sector. It covers historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives and applies various theoretical concepts to understand specific aspects of the governance of the energy transition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large technical systems - To recognize current challenges in the energy system to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions - To gain knowledge on the role of policy and politics in energy transitions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Climate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the 2015 United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of the energy system necessary. This lecture introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector and discusses the implications of these challenges for the rate and direction of technical change in the energy sector. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It introduces theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying innovation and transitions. It then focuses on the role of policy and policy change in governing the energy transition, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback. The grade will be determined by a final exam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | A reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is particularly suited for students of the following programmes: MA Comparative International Studies; MSc Energy Science & Technology; MSc Environmental Sciences; MSc Management, Technology & Economics; MSc Science, Technology & Policy; ETH & UZH PhD programmes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 857-0103-00L | Topics in Public Policy: Governing the Energy Transition | 8 credits | 2S | L. P. Fesenfeld, T. Schmidt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course addresses the role of policy change and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy and other climate and sustainability-related sectors. It focuses on political perspectives (while also touching on historical and socio-economic perspectives) and applies various theoretical concepts to understand specific aspects of transition governance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large socio-technical systems - To recognize challenges for transformative policy change and to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions - To develop own research question and address it in research paper that demonstrates knowledge of the role of policy and politics in transitions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Climate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the recent United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of socio-technical systems necessary. This course introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector as a key sector in need of transition. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It then focuses on the role of public policy and policy change in governing complex socio-technical transitions, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback. The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to actively engage in the weekly discussions and to give a presentation (15-20 minutes) on one of the weekly topics during that particular session. In addition to the weekly lectures, students will write a research paper of approximately 6000 words, guided by and in collaboration with the lecturers. Active participation in the seminar (15%) and the presentation (15%) will form one part of the final grade, with the research paper forming the rest (70%). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | A reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is intended for the MA Comparative International Studies programme in the category research seminars. Students will have to participate in the course 'Governing the Energy Transition'. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0004-00L | Concepts, Theories, and Methods for Public Policy Analysis ISTP-PhD students please register via the Study Administration. | 4 credits | 2S | T. Bernauer, I. Günther, M. Leese, T. Schmidt, T. Stadler, B. Steffen, E. Tilley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course starts with a broad conceptual and historical perspective on technological and scientific innovation, and then focuses on concepts, theories, and methods for policy analysis as well as their application to policy questions in a variety of issue areas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course helps students with an educational background in natural sciences or engineering to transition into the field of public policy analysis (PPA). It starts with a broad conceptual and historical perspective on technological and scientific innovation, and then focuses on concepts, theories and methods for policy analysis as well as their application to policy questions in a variety of issue areas. The course is heavily based on reading assignments and their discussion in class. The overall goal is to expose students to a variety of ways in which policy analysis can be undertaken, but not to teach specific policy analysis tools in great depth – those skills will be acquired in other, dedicated courses of the MSc STP program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Course materials will be available on Moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course materials will be available on Moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Readings will be available on Moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course is open only to the ISTP's MSc students and to ISTP doctoral students. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0005-00L | Colloquium Science, Technology, and Policy (HS) | 1 credit | 1K | T. Schmidt, T. Bernauer, E. Tilley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Presentations by guest speakers from academia and practice/policy. Students are assigned to play a leading role in the discussion and write a report on the respective event. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students obtain insights into different policy-related research fields and participate in scientific discussions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | See the program on the ISTP website: http://www.istp.ethz.ch/events/colloquium.html The series is open to the public. The lectures start at 12:15 and last 30 minutes, followed by an open discussion of 30 minutes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | open to anyone from ETH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0031-00L | Policy Analysis Does not take place this semester. | 4 credits | 2V | B. Steffen, T. Schmidt, to be announced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course Policy Analysis 1 will introduce important concepts and methods for ex-ante policy analysis. It will mostly focus on the policy content (vis-à-vis the policy process). We will primarily discuss quantitative methods. The course will contain several practical assignments in which students have to apply the concepts and methods studied. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students should gain the skill to perform policy analyses independently. To this end, students will be enabled to understand a policy problem and the rationale for policy intervention; to select appropriate impact categories and methods to address a policy problem through policy analysis; to assess policy alternatives, using various ex-ante policy analysis methods; and to communicate the results of the analysis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course has four major topics: •Rationales for public policy in Science and Technology •Impact of policies on firms and investors •Impacts of policies on socio-technical systems •Impact of policies on society at large | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0100-00L | Doctoral Colloquium in Public Policy Only PhD students. Permission from lecturers is required. | 1 credit | 1K | L. P. Fesenfeld, T. Schmidt, T. Bernauer, B. Steffen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this colloquium, doctoral students present their research plan within the first year of their doctorate, which is reviewed by three professors affiliated with the ISTP and commented on by the other doctoral students registered in the colloquium. We recommend attending the colloquium for two semesters and present the research plan in the second semester. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Obtain feedback on research ideas for the doctoral research plan and get the research plan approved by three faculty, as required by ETH Zurich. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Doctoral students (typically affiliated with the ISTP or groups of ISTP members) attend this colloquium for one to two semesters. During the first (voluntary) semester they present their preliminary research ideas. During the second (obligatory) semester, they present their draft research plan, which is reviewed by three professors affiliated with the ISTP. The research plan should not be longer than 20 pages (references excluded). The second semester will be credited with 1 ECTS. All students are required to read and comment on their peers’ research ideas and plans throughout both semesters. The results of the review are submitted to the doctoral committee of D-GESS or other ETH departments where ISTP-affiliated doctoral students intend to graduate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||