Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2024

Number	Title	Type	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
MAS in Sustainable Water Resources The Master of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Water Resources is a 12 month full time postgraduate diploma programme. The focus of the programme is on issues of sustainability and water resources in Latin America, with special attention given to the impacts of development and climate change on water resources. The programme combines multidisciplinary coursework with high level research. Sample research topics include: water quality, water quantity, water for agriculture, water for the environment, adaptation to climate change, and integrated water resource management. Language: English. Credit hours: 66 ECTS. For further information please visit: http://www.mas-swr.ethz.ch/
Core Courses Foundation courses: 12 credits have to be achieved.
118-0111-00L	Sustainability and Water Resources Suitable for MSc and PhD students. Automatic admittance is given to students of MAS Sustainable Water Resources. All other registrations accepted until capacity is reached.	O	3 credits	2G	D. Molnar, P. Burlando
Abstract	The block course on Sustainability and Water Resources features invited experts from a range of disciplines, who present their experiences working with sustainability issues related to water resources. The students are exposed to many different perspectives, and learn how to critically evaluate sustainability issues with respect to water resources management.
Learning objective	The course provides the students with background information on sustainability in relation to water resources within an international and multidisciplinary framework. The lectures challenge the students to consider sustainability and the importance of water availability and water scarcity in a changing world, at the same time preparing them to face the challenges of the future, e.g. climate and land use change, increased water use and population growth.
Content	The course offers the students the opportunity to learn about sustainability and water resources in a multi-disciplinary fashion, with a focus on case studies from around the world. Selected topics include: Sustainability Issues in Water Resources, the EU Water Framework Directive, Mining in Latin America, Environmental Flows, and Water Quality Issues. Group exercises, which encourage debate and discussion, are an important component of the course. For more information, please visit Link
Prerequisites / Notice	For further information, contact the MAS coordinator, Darcy Molnar (darcy.molnar@ifu.baug.ethz.ch)
118-0112-00L	Participatory and Integrated Water Resources Planning The course is complementary to "Water Resources Management" (102-0488-00L).	O	3 credits	2V	A. Castelletti
Abstract	The course develops basic knowledge and skills for modelling, planning and managing water resources systems in a balanced and sustainable way. The emphasis will be on the operational aspects of water management, including: introduction to participatory decision-making, modelling of the multiple stakes and socio-economic processes, introduction to dynamic and stochastic optimization approaches.
Learning objective	The course aims at illustrating the complex framework of participatory approach in the field of water resources projects, with particular focus on the modelling of the quantitative aspects of the combined dynamics of the physical and socio-economic processes.
Content	Lec 00. Course introduction. The world water resources. Water crisis and the concept of Participatory and Integrated Water Resources Management (PIWRM). Water trading. Lec 01. Rationalizing the decision-making process. From traditional water resources planning and management to PIWRM: rationalizing and supporting the decision-making process. The need for negotiations. Negotiation game. Outline of the Participatory and Integrated Planning procedure proposed as a guidance to the decision-making process using a real world case study. Lec 02. Cloosing the loop: how to plan the management. How to incorporate recurrent management decisions into a rational decision-making framework. From model based decision-making to decision support systems. Full-rationality and partial-rationality. Underlying example the Zambezi river system. Lec 03. Actions and evaluation criteria. Identification of the actions suitable to pursue the overall objective of the planning exercise. Type of actions and associated property. Embedding actions into models. Stakeholders, sectors and evaluation criteria: how stakeholders evaluate the planning alternatives. Criterion hierarchy and indicators: operationalize evaluation criteria. Lec 04. Criteria and indicators. Example of indicators. Validation of the indicators against the stakeholders. Numerical exercise. Underlying examples from Red River System (Vietnam), Tono dam (Japan), Googong reservoir (Australia), Lake Maggiore and Lake Como (Italy). Lec 05. Re-operating the Kafue reservoir system. Real world case study developed interactively with the students, to experience all the concepts provided in the previous lectures. Reading material will be assigned on 22.3 Lec 06. Models of a water system. The system analysis perspective on water resources modelling. Example of models of water system components (reservoir, diversion dam, rivers, users). Implications of cooperation and information sharing on the model formulation. Operational implications of model complexity. Case studies. Lec 07. Formulation of the planning/management problem. Why we need it. What do we need to formulate the problem: from the indicators to the objectives; time horizon; scenarios. Dealing with uncertainty. Problem formulation and classification. How do modelling choices affect the final solution (hidden subjectivity). Lec 08. Water resources optimal planning. The planning of water resources. Examples from real world problems at different scales (e.g. Egypt Water plan; Controlling salt intrusion in Nauru (Pacific Island); planning water quality remediation interventions in lakes and reservoirs (Googong reservoir, Australia)). Interactive lectures with students. Overview of the different approaches available to resolve the problem, from exact solution to heuristic. Lec 09. Planning the New Valley water system in Egypt. Real world case study developed interactively with the student, to experience all the concepts provided in the previous lectures. Lec 10. Planning in non stationary conditions: the Red River (Vietnam). Real world case study developed interactively with the student, to experience all the concepts provided in the previous lectures.
Lecture notes	Course lectures are almost fully covered by the following two textbooks accordingly to the indications provided at the end of each lecture: R. Soncini-Sessa, A. Castelletti, and E. Weber, 2007. Integrated and participatory water resources management. Theory. Elsevier, The Netherlands. R. Soncini-Sessa, F. Cellina, F. Pianosi, and E. Weber, 2007. Integrated and participatory water resources management. Practice. Elsevier, The Netherlands.
Literature	Additional readings: S.P. Simonovic, 2009. Managing water resources: Methods and tools for a systems approach, Earthscan, London. D.P. Loucks, E. van Beek, 2005. Water Resources Systems Planning and Management: An Introduction to Methods, Models and Applications, UNESCO, Paris. K.D.W. Nandalal, J. Bogardi, 2007. Dynamic Programming Based Operation of Reservoirs, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Prerequisites / Notice	Lecture notes, slides and other material will be posted on the course web page the day before each lecture.
118-0112-01L	Participatory and Integrated Water Resources Planning Laboratory This course (118-0112-01 laboratory) can only be taken in combination with 118-0112-00 (theory part).	O	2 credits	1U	M. Giuliani
Abstract	The course allows the students to apply concepts and methods concerning planning and management of water resources systems by developing a numerical exercise based on the real-world case study. The theoretical framework will be given in the course "Participatory and Integrated Water Resources Planning" (118-0112-00)
Learning objective	Analyse and model the relationship between hydropower generation and other water related interests (both socio-economic and environmental) in the proposed real-world case study. Explore the effects of different hydropower reservoirs' operation strategies on the identified relationships and identify potential fair tradeoffs in water resources allocation.
Content	Students will develop a project in small groups. The group work is organized according to the following structure - Water system analysis - Identification of criteria and indicators for water related interests - Coding of water system model and indicators - Scenario definition - Design of the reservoir operation strategies - Comparison and selection of interesting strategies
Lecture notes	Reading material (scientific papers, reports, etc.). Handouts for each step of the group work. Examples of code (basic programming and Matlab knowledge required)
Prerequisites / Notice	This course (118-0112-01 exercises) can only be taken in combination with 118-0112-00 (theory part). Basic programming and Matlab knowledge required.
118-0113-00L	Water Governance: Challenges and Solutions Suitable for MSc and PhD Students. Automatic admittance is given to students of the MAS in Sustainable Water Resources. All other registrations are accepted until capacity is reached.	O	1 credit	2G	D. Molnar
Abstract	The block course on "Water Governance: Challenges and Solutions" features invited experts with backgrounds in international relations, law, politics, and diplomacy. Through theoretical input and case studies, students learn about the realities of water conflicts and the intricacies of cooperation and diplomacy.
Learning objective	The course provides students with insights into the complex realities of addressing water conflicts with sustainable solutions that promote cooperation.
Content	The course offers students the opportunity to learn from experts who have worked on domestic and transboundary river basin issues, both in Europe and internationally. Through case studies and group exercises, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of water governance and current global challenges. Topics that will be addressed include stakeholder involvement, institutional legal frameworks, and solutions for cooperation.
Prerequisites / Notice	Course details at:https://mas-swr.ethz.ch/curriculum/courses/core-courses/water-governance-challenges-solutions.html For further information, contact the MAS coordinator, Darcy Molnar (darcy.molnar@ifu.baug.ethz.ch)

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