Mutian Niu: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2024 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Mutian Niu |
| Field | Animal Nutrition |
| Address | Professur für Tierernährung ETH Zürich, LFW A 3 Universitätstrasse 2 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 22 42 |
| mutian.niu@usys.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 751-0013-00L | World Food System | 4 credits | 4V | B. Studer, R. Finger, I. Herter-Aeberli, M. Loessner, E.‑M. Meemken, F. Michel, M. Niu, M. Peydayesh, J. Six | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Die Grundlagen des Welternährungssystem werden anhand von Fallbeispielen aus der Forschung entlang der Wertschöpfungskette vermittelt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Mit Besuch dieser Lehrveranstaltung soll Verständnis geschaffen werden, was ein Welternährungssystem ist, wo aktuell die grossen Herausforderungen liegen, was Elemente und Einflussfaktoren auf die Ernährungssicherheit sind, welche Wechselwirkungen zwischen diesen Elementen und Einflussfaktoren bestehen, und welche potentiellen Lösungsstrategien sich für spezifische Herausforderungen ableiten lassen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | An Fallbeispielen aus der aktuellen Forschung in Agrar- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften (Landwirtschaftliche Produktion, Agrarmärkte und Handel, Lebensmittelsicherheit, Ernährung und Gesundheit, Agri-Food Waste Valorization, Nachhaltiges Konsumverhalten) wird die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette von der Erzeugung des Rohstoffs bis hin zum verarbeiteten Lebensmittel und dessen verbraucherrelevanten Eigenschaftsfunktionen aufgezeigt. Dabei werden jeweils relevante Aspekte für Industrie-, Schwellen und Entwicklungsländer über ingenieur-, natur- und sozialwissenschaftliche Ansätze vermittelt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Skripte und zusätzliches Lernmaterial werden auf Moodle verfügbar gemacht. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Information zu Büchern und anderer Literatur wird während der Lehrveranstaltung bekanntgegeben. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Die Lehrveranstaltung soll Studierenden der Agrar-, Lebensmittel- und Umweltwissenschaften die Schnittstellen dieser Bereiche im Kontext zu wichtigen globalen Fragestellungen nahebringen. Ferner sollen den Studierenden im ersten Studienjahr der Agrar- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften Aus- und Einblicke gegeben werden, welche im weiteren Verlauf des Studiums motivierend wirken. Das Fach ist Teil der Basisprüfung nach dem ersten Studienjahr. Die schriftliche on-line Prüfung erlaubt das Mitbringen von Unterlagen ("Open Book"), andere Hilfsmittel sind nicht gestattet. Die Vorlesungssprache ist hauptsächlich deutsch, einzelne Lektionen auf Englisch sind möglich. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
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| 751-6003-00L | Training Course in Research Groups (Large)  | 6 credits | 13P | S. M. Bernal Ulloa, S. Neuenschwander, M. Niu, H. Pausch, M. Saenz de Juano Ribes, S. E. Ulbrich | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research - Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training) - Application of the gained knowledge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Specific readings after enlisting in a particular research group. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve). The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends. The total time budget is equivalent to about 180 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 6 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 751-6003-01L | Training Course in Research Groups (Small) | 3 credits | 6P | S. M. Bernal Ulloa, S. Neuenschwander, M. Niu, H. Pausch, M. Saenz de Juano Ribes, S. E. Ulbrich | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research - Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training) - Application of the gained knowledge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Specific readings after enlisting in a particular research group. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve). The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends. The total time budget is equivalent to about 90 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 3 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 751-6501-00L | Ruminant Science | 4 credits | 4G | M. Niu, M. Terranova, U. Witschi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides the scientific basis of the central aspects of reproduction and nutrition physiology of ruminants, and of the implications for animal health, product quality, and breeding programs. Means of knowledge transfer include interdisciplinary approaches, disciplinary parts, web-based learning and self-study. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | At the end of the course the students are able to apply, by a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, their knowledge in various fields of ruminant science. They will be able to develop and recommend best strategies for breeding programs, feed formulation, improving forage quality, and increasing animal health. They will be trained to carry out interdisciplinary and disciplinary research at the highest level. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Fields (contact hours) - Introduction: 2 h - Special topics: 20 h - Rumen Anatomy - Hohenheim Gas Test - Calf health - Reproduction Techniques - Fertility in Cows - Disciplinary topics: 32 h - Ruminal Digestion: 8 h - Ruminant Nutrition Physiology: 12 h - Reproduction in Ruminants: 8 h - Lectures held by the students: 4 h In summary - Contact hours: 58 h - Self-study within semester: 30 h (especially preparation for the interdisciplinary courses and the own lecture) - Self-study in semester break: 32 h Total: 120 h | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Documentations, links and other materials will be provided at the start of the course | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Information on books and other references will be communicated during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The specialty of this course is that for the first time the animal science disciplines are unified. This is realised with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary special topics and new forms of teaching. At the same time the essential basics in the central fields are communicated. Conditions for successful participation: Background on animal science from the Bachelor is desired. In order to attend the Minor in Ruminant Science without any animal science background, a realistic self-assessment concerning the need for additional self-study is recommended (e.g. by choosing an appropriate bachelor course which then may be counted as 'optional courses' in the master). These efforts depend on the extent to which animal science courses have already been attended in the bachelor. The control of performance will consist of: - an own short lecture - a final oral examination with focus on comprehension of the fundamental linkages rather than of specific details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 751-7002-AAL | Basics in Animal Nutrition 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. | 2 credits | 4R | M. Niu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course builds on knowledge of nutritional sciences by translating the information on nutrition to individual farm animal species and purposes. The emphasis is on the principles of utilisation of and requirements for energy and nutrients and the resulting feed evaluation systems as applied for the relevant forms of livestock nutrition (e.g., cattle, pig, poultry). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Studying the course allows the students to explain the most important basic relationships of nutrition and digestion and energy metabolism. They are able to name and apply the range of feedstuffs. They are able to derive the requirements of the most important farm animals. By means of a series of exercise examples, they are taught how to apply the knowledge to concrete tasks in the field of animal nutrition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Turnover and utilisation of nutrients and energy in the animal (definition of terms, turnover in the animal body, balances, utilisation). Feed evaluation in cattle, pigs and poultry (energetic feed evaluation, evaluation of nitrogenous feed substance) Nutrition of cattle, pigs and poultry (basics of feeding, physiological characteristics, demand and demand coverage, feeding standards, ration design) Feed science (individual feedstuffs, farm-produced feed) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes are available and can be obtained by moodle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | A detailed bibliography is included in the lecture notes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Calculation exercises are part of the course. A calculator is required for this. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 751-7310-00L | Bioactive Feed Compounds and Enriched Food Products | 2 credits | 2V | G. Foggi, M. Niu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides students with basic knowledge of the connection between plant secondary metabolites and their active roles in feed and food. It offers insights into active compounds in feed or their natural-identical equivalents and the resulting quality of animal-derived food, reporting practical examples. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge of plant secondary metabolites and their roles in animal feed and food quality. Through an in-depth exploration of the structure and mechanisms of action of these compounds, students will gain insights into their practical applications in animal nutrition and the production of added-value or enriched food products. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course provides an overview of various types of bioactive components contained in both food and feedstuffs, including fatty acids and secondary plant metabolites such as polyphenols, terpenoids, carotenoids and saponins. Subjects covered: - Distribution of bioactive compounds - Sources of active compounds for animal feed - Main mechanism of actions at animal or human levels - Added value and enriched food products - Advantages and disadvantages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The teaching slides and other materials will be provided during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Information about books and other references will be communicated during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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