Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021
Science, Technology, and Policy Master  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 860-0003-00L | Cornerstone Science, Technology, and Policy  Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc and PhD. ISTP-PhD students please register via the Study Administration. | O | 2 credits | 1S | T. Bernauer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course introduces students to the MSc STP programme. It provides a general introduction to the study of STP. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course introduces students to the MSc program in two ways. First, it provides a general introduction to the study of STP. Second, it exposes students to various complex policy problems and ways and means of coming up with proposals for and assessments of policy options. In a reading workshop, students will learn how to improve their skills in reading and understanding scientific papers in the English language. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | - Introduction to Science, Technology and Policy. - Reading Workshop: Reading and understanding scientific papers in English language. A detailled programme will be sent out to the participants in advance to the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature and references will be available on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0004-00L | Bridging Science, Technology, and Policy Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc and PhD. ISTP-PhD students please register via the Study Administration. | O | 3 credits | 2S | T. Bernauer, T. Schmidt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course focuses on technological innovations from the beginning of humanity through the industrial revolution up until today. It provides students with a deeper understanding of the factors that drive technological innovations, and the roles government policies, society, science, and industry play in this regard. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course picks up on the ISTP Cornerstone Science, Technology and Policy course and goes into greater depth on issues covered in that course, as well as additional issues where science and technology are among the causes of societal challenges but can also help in finding solutions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Week 1: no class because of ISTP Cornerstone Science, Technology and Policy course Week 2: technology & society in historical perspective - technological innovations up to the industrial revolution Week 3: technology & society in historical perspective - technological innovations during the industrial revolution - engines & electricity Week 4: technology & society in historical perspective - from the industrial revolution to modernity - mobility and transport (railroads, ships, cars, airplanes, space) Week 5: food production: the green revolutions. Week 6: microelectronics, computing & the internet Week 7: life sciences: pharmaceuticals & diagnostic technology Week 8: energy: primary fuels, renewables, networks Week 9: automation: self-driving cars & trains, drones Week 10: communication & Big Data: semiconductors and software Week 11: military & security issues associated with technological innovation Week 12: possible futures (1): nuclear fusion, geoengineering Week 13: possible Future (2): information, communication, robotics, synthetic biology, nanotech, quantum computing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Skript: Course materials will be available on moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature: Literature and references will be available on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0005-00L | Colloquium Science, Technology, and Policy (HS) Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc and PhD. | O | 1 credit | 2K | T. Schmidt, T. Bernauer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Presentations by invited 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 | Presentations by invited 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | See the program on the ISTP website: http://www.istp.ethz.ch/events/colloquium.html The series is open to the public. Lectures last about 60 minutes followed by an open discussion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | open to anyone from ETH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0031-00L | Policy Analysis Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc. | O | 4 credits | 2V | T. Schmidt, B. Steffen, F. M. Egli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 363-0503-00L | Principles of Microeconomics GESS (Science in Perspective): This lecture is for MSc students only. BSc students register for 363-1109-00L Einführung in die Mikroökonomie. | O | 3 credits | 2G | M. Filippini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course introduces basic principles, problems and approaches of microeconomics. This provides the students with reflective and contextual knowledge on how societies use scarce resources to produce goods and services and ensure a (fair) distribution. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The learning objectives of the course are: (1) Students must be able to discuss basic principles, problems and approaches in microeconomics. (2) Students can analyse and explain simple economic principles in a market using supply and demand graphs. (3) Students can contrast different market structures and describe firm and consumer behaviour. (4) Students can identify market failures such as externalities related to market activities and illustrate how these affect the economy as a whole. (5) Students can also recognize behavioural failures within a market and discuss basic concepts related to behavioural economics. (6) Students can apply simple mathematical concepts on economic problems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The resources on our planet are finite. The discipline of microeconomics therefore deals with the question of how society can use scarce resources to produce goods and services and ensure a (fair) distribution. In particular, microeconomics deals with the behaviour of consumers and firms in different market forms. Economic considerations and discussions are not part of classical engineering and science study programme. Thus, the goal of the lecture "Principles of Microeconomics" is to teach students how economic thinking and argumentation works. The course should help the students to look at the contents of their own studies from a different perspective and to be able to critically reflect on economic problems discussed in the society. Topics covered by the course are: - Supply and demand - Consumer demand: neoclassical and behavioural perspective - Cost of production: neoclassical and behavioural perspective - Welfare economics, deadweight losses - Governmental policies - Market failures, common resources and public goods - Public sector, tax system - Market forms (competitive, monopolistic, monopolistic competitive, oligopolistic) - International trade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes, exercises and reference material can be downloaded from Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2020), "Economics", 5th edition, South-Western Cengage Learning. The book can also be used for the course 'Principles of Macroeconomics' (Sturm) For students taking only the course 'Principles of Microeconomics' there is a shorter version of the same book: N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2020), "Microeconomics", 5th edition, South-Western Cengage Learning. Complementary: R. Pindyck and D. Rubinfeld (2018), "Microeconomics", 9th edition, Pearson Education. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | GESS (Science in Perspective): This lecture is for MSc students only. BSc students register for 363-1109-00L Einführung in die Mikroökonomie. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 860-0041-00L | Statistics 1 Only for Science, Technology and Policy MSc. | O | 4 credits | 2V | E. K. Smith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course covers the necessary fundamentals for the use of statistics to understand policy. Theoretically the course will provide a survey of foundational concepts and techniques statistics and mathematics. The applied part of the course will focus on implementing these techniques in R, as well as the practical skills required to develop their own data based research projects. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Gain a familiarity with foundational concepts and techniques in statistics, and be able to apply these to new problems. Be comfortable independently conducting a variety of tasks in R, such as data cleaning, visualisation and analysis. Produce summaries of statistical analyses that non-specialists can understand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course introduces students to the necessary fundamentals of statistics, and its application, to understand policy. Theoretically the course will provide a survey of foundational concepts and techniques statistics and mathematics. The applied part of the course will focus on implementing these techniques in R, as well as developing the practical skills in the language required to be able to independently conduct data based research projects. By doing so, students will gain a familiarity with foundational concepts and techniques in statistics, and be able to apply these to new problems. Students will also develop the requisite skills to be able to independently conduct a variety of tasks in R, such as data cleaning, visualisation and analysis. Finally, students will be able to produce summaries of statistical analyses that non-specialists can understand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minor in Natural Sciences and Engineering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urbanization and Planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 063-0703-00L | Architecture of Territory: Territorial Design in Histories, Theories and Projects This core course (ending with «00L») can only be passed once! Please check before signing up. | W | 2 credits | 2V | M. Topalovic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This lecture series sets up an agenda for widening the disciplinary field of architecture and urbanism from their focus on the city, or the urban in the narrow sense, to wider territorial scales, which correspond to the increasing scales of contemporary urbanisation. It discusses the concepts of territory and urbanisation, and their implications for the work of architects and urbanists. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The course will enable students to critically discuss concepts of territory and urbanisation. It will invite students to revisit the history of architects’ work engaging with the problematic of urbanising territories and territorial organisation. The goal is to motivate and equip students to engage with territory in the present day and age, by setting out our contemporary urban agenda. The lectures are animated by a series of visual and conceptual exercises, usually on A4 sheets of paper. All original student contributions will be collected and bound together, creating a unique book-object. Some of the exercises are graded and count as proof of completion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Within the theme My Species, the four guest speakers engaged in fields ranging from art and landscape representation to bioethics and environmental philosophy, will approach territory through the notions such as multispecies, coexistence, and diversity. With a more-than-human perspective on the territory, the guest speakers will elaborate their take on “telling horrible stories in beautiful ways,” debate “the dignity of plants,” expound upon “mankind’s fascination to better the world,” and confer “the non-human turn” and what is to come after. 23. 09. 2021 On Territory MILICA TOPALOVIĆ 30. 09. 2021 Architecture and Urbanisation MILICA TOPALOVIĆ 07. 10. 2021 Methods in Territorial Research and Design MILICA TOPALOVIĆ 14. 10. 2021 Multispecies Worldbuilding Guest lecture by FEIFEI ZHOU 21. 10. 2021 Better Nature Guest lecture by ALEXANDRA DAISY GINSBERG 04. 11. 2021 Planetary Urbanisation: Hinterland MILICA TOPALOVIĆ 11. 11. 2021 Tomatoes Talk, Birch Trees Learn – Do Plants Have Dignity? Guest lecture by FLORIANNE KOECHLIN 18. 11. 2021 Disappearance of the Countryside MILICA TOPALOVIĆ 25. 11. 2021 What is Soul? On the Idea of Species Being Guest lecture by OXANA TIMOFEEVA 09. 12. 2021 Our Common Territories: An Outlook MILICA TOPALOVIĆ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lectures will take place on Thursdays, 10.00-12:00, at ONA Fokushalle E7 and on ZOOM. Lecturer: Prof. Milica Topalovic Team: Prof. Milica Topalović, Dr. Nazlı Tümerdem Student Assistant: Michiel Gieben With the support of Hans Hortig, Evelyne Gordon, Vesna Jovanović, and Jan Westerheide Contact: Nazli Tümerdem tuemerdem@arch.ethz.ch Our website: https://topalovic.arch.ethz.ch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-1453-00L | Ecological Assessment and Evaluation | W | 3 credits | 3G | F. Knaus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides methods and tools for ecological evaluations dealing with nature conservation or landscape planning. It covers census methods, ecological criteria, indicators, indices and critically appraises objectivity and accuracy of the available methods, tools and procedures. Birds and plants are used as main example guiding through different case studies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students will be able to: 1) critically consider biological data books and local, regional, and national inventories; 2) evaluate the validity of ecological criteria used in decision making processes; 3) critically appraise the handling of ecological data and criteria used in the process of evaluation 4) perform an ecological evaluation project from the field survey up to the descision making and planning. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Powerpoint slides are available on the webpage. Additional documents are handed out as copies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Basic literature and references are listed on the webpage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course structure changes between lecture parts, seminars and discussions. The didactic atmosphere is intended as working group. Suggested prerequisites for attending this course are skills and knowledge equivalent to those taught in the following ETH courses: - Pflanzen- und Vegetationsökologie - Systematische Botanik - Raum- und Regionalentwicklung - Naturschutz und Naturschutzbiologie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 363-1047-00L | Urban Systems and Transportation | W | 3 credits | 2G | G. Loumeau | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course is an introduction to urban and regional economics. It focuses on the formation and development of urban systems, and highlight how transport infrastructure investments can affect the location, size and composition of such systems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The main objective of this course is to provide students with some basic tools to analyze the fundamental economic forces at play in urban systems (i.e., agglomeration and congestion forces), and the role of transport networks in shaping the structure of these systems. Why do urban areas grow or decline? How do transport networks affect the location of individuals and firms? Does the location of a firm determine its productivity? Can transport infrastructure investments reduce economic disparities? These are some of the questions that students should be able to answer after having completed the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course is organized in four parts. I start with the key observation that economic activity (both in terms of population density and productivity) is unevenly distributed in space. For instance, the share of the population living in urban centers is increasing globally, from 16% in 1900 and 50% in 2000 to about 68% by the year 2050 (UN, World Economic Prospects, 2014). The goal of the first part is then to understand the economic forces at play behind these trends, looking at the effects within and across urban areas. I will also discuss how natural or man-made geographical characteristics (e.g., rivers, mountains, borders, etc.) affect the development of such urban systems. In the second part, I discuss the planning and pricing of transport networks, moving from simple local models to more complex transport models at a global scale. The key aspects include: the first and second best road pricing, the public provision of transport networks and the demographic effects of transport networks. In the third part, I combine the previous two parts and analyze the interaction between urban systems and transportation. Thereby, the main focus is to understand the economic mechanisms that can lead to a general equilibrium of all actors involved. However, as the study of the historical development of urban systems and transport networks provides interesting insights, I will discuss how their interaction in the past shapes today’s economic geography. Finally, I broaden the scope of the course and explore related topics. There will be a particular emphasis on the relation between urban systems and fiscal federalism as well as environmental policies. Both aspects are important determinants of the contemporary developments of urban systems, and as such deserve our attention. In general, this class focuses on the latest research developments in urban and regional economics, though it does not require prior knowledge in this field. It pays particular attention to economic approaches, which are based on theoretical frameworks with strong micro-foundations and allow for precise policy recommendations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course slides will be made available to students prior to each class. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Course slides will be made available to students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101-0509-00L | Infrastructure Management 1: Process | W | 6 credits | 3G | B. T. Adey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Infrastructure asset management is the process used to ensure that infrastructure provides adequate levels of service for specified periods of time. This course provides an overview of the process, from setting goals to developing intervention programs to analyzing the process itself. It consists of weekly lectures and a group project. Additionally, there is a weekly help session. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | There are a large number of efforts around the world to obtain more net benefits from infrastructure assets. This can be seen through the proliferation of codes and guidelines and the increasing amount of research in road infrastructure asset management. Many of these codes and guidelines and much of the research, however, are focused on only part of the large complex problem of infrastructure asset management. The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the entire infrastructure management process. The high-level process described can be used as a starting point to ensure that infrastructure management is done professionally, efficiently and effectively. It also enables a clear understanding of where computer systems can be used to help automate parts of the process. Students can use this process to help improve the specific infrastructure management processes in the organisations in which they work in the future. More specifically upon completion of the course, students will • understand the main tasks of an infrastructure manager and the complexity of these tasks, • understand the importance of setting goals and constraints in the management of infrastructure, • be able to predict the deterioration of individual assets using discrete states that are often associated with visual inspections, • be able to develop and evaluate simple management strategies for individual infrastructure assets, • be able to develop and evaluate intervention programs that are aligned with their strategies, • understand the principles of guiding projects and evaluating the success of projects, • be able to formally model infrastructure management processes, and • understand the importance of evaluating the infrastructure management process and have a general idea of how to do so. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The weekly lectures are structured as follows: 1 Introduction: An introduction to infrastructure management, with emphasis on the consideration of the benefits and costs of infrastructure to all members of society, and balancing the need for prediction accuracy with analysis effort. The expectations of your throughout the semester, including a description of the project. 2 Positioning infrastructure management in society: As infrastructure plays such an integral part in society, there is considerable need to ensure that infrastructure managers are managing it as best possible. A prominent network regulator explains the role and activities of a network regulator. 3 Setting goals and constraints – To manage infrastructure you need to know what you expect from it in terms of service and how much you are willing to pay for it. We discuss the measures of service for this purpose, as well as the ideas of quantifiable and non-quantifiable benefits, proxies of service, and valuing service. 4 Predicting the future – As infrastructure and our expectations of service from it change over time, these changes need to be included in the justification of management activities. This we discuss the connection between provided service and the physical state of the infrastructure and one way to predict their evolution over time. 5 Help session 1 6 Determining and justifying general interventions - It is advantageous to be able to explain why infrastructure assets need to be maintained, and not simply say that they need to be maintained. This requires explanation of the types of interventions that should be executed and how these interventions will achieve the goals. It also requires explaining which interventions are to be done if it is not possible to do everything due to for example budget constraints. This week we cover how to determine optimal intervention strategies for individual assets, and how to convert these strategies into network level intervention programs. 7 Determining and justifying monitoring - Once it is clear how infrastructure might change over time, and the optimal intervention strategies are determined, you need to explain how you are going to know that these states exist. This requires the construction of monitoring strategies for each of asset. This week we focus on how to develop monitoring strategies that ensure interventions are triggered at the right time. 8 Converting programs to projects / Analysing projects – Once programs are completed and approved, infrastructure managers must create, supervise and analyse projects. This week we focus on this conversion and the supervision and analysis of projects. 9 Help session 2 10 Ensuring good information – Infrastructure management requires consistent and correct information. This is enabled by the development of a good information model. This week we provide an introduction to information models and how they are used in infrastructure management. 11 Ensuring a well-run organization – How people work together affects how well the infrastructure is managed. This week we focus on the development of the human side of the infrastructure management organisation. 12 Describing the IM process – Infrastructure management is a process that is followed continually and improved over time. It should be written down clearly. This week we will concentrate on how this can be done using the formal modelling notation BPMN 2.0. 13 Evaluating the IM process – Infrastructure management processes can always be improved. Good managers acknowledge this, but also have a plan for continual improvement. This week we concentrate on how you can systematically evaluate the infrastructure management process. 14 Help session 3 and submission of project report. The course uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative analysis required in the project requires at least the use of Excel. Some students, however, prefer to use Python or R. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | • The lecture materials consist of handouts, the slides, and example calculations in Excel. • The lecture materials will be distributed via Moodle two days before each lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Appropriate literature will be handed out when required via Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course has no prerequisites. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 103-0347-01L | Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems (GIS Exercises) | W | 3 credits | 2U | A. Grêt-Regamey, C. Brouillet, N. Klein | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course content of the lecture Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems (103-0347-00 V) will be illustrated in practical GIS exercises (e.g. habitat modelling, land use change, ecosystem services, connectivity). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - Practical application of theory from the lectures - Quantitative assessment and evaluation of landscape characteristics - Learning useful applications of GIS for landscape planning - Developing landscape planning measures for practical case studies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | - Applications of GIS in landscape planning - Landscape analysis - Landscape structural metrics - Modelling habitats and land use change - Calculating urban ecosystem services - Ecological connectivity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | A script and presentation slides for each exercise will be provided on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Will be named in the lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basic GIS skills are strongly recommended. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 103-0347-00L | Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems | W | 3 credits | 2V | A. Grêt-Regamey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In the course, students learn about methods for the identification and measurement of landscape characteristics, as well as measures and policies for landscape planning. Landscape planning is put into the context of environmental systems (soil, water, air, climate, flora and fauna) and discussed with regard to socio-political questions of the future. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The aims of this course are: 1) To illustrate the concept of landscape planning, the economic relevance of landscape and nature in the context of the environmental systems (soil, water, air, climate, flora and fauna). 2) To show landscape planning as an integral information system for the coordination of different instruments by illustrating the aims, methods, instruments and their functions in landscape planning. 3) To show the importance of ecosystem services. 4) To learn basics about nature and landscape: Analysis and assessment of the complex interactions between landscape elements, effects of current and future land use (ecosystem goods and services, landscape functions). 5) To identify and measure the characteristics of landscape. 6) Learn how to use spatial data in landscape planning. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | In this course, the following topics are discussed: - Definition of the concept of landscape - Relevance of landscape planning - Landscape metrics - Landscape change - Methods, instruments and aims of landscape planning (policy) - Socio-political questions of the future - Environmental systems, ecological connectivity - Ecosystem services - Urban landscape services - Practice of landscape planning - Use of GIS in landscape planning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | No script. The documentation, consisting of presentation slides are partly handed out and are provided for download on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The contents of the course will be illustrated in the associated course 103-0347-01 U (Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems (GIS Exercises)) or in Project LAND within the Experimental and Computer Lab (for Environmental Engineers). A combination of courses is recommended. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 101-0427-01L | Public Transport Design and Operations | W | 6 credits | 4G | F. Corman, F. Leutwiler | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course aims at analyzing, designing, improving public transport systems, as part of the overall transport system. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Public transport is a key driver for making our cities more livable, clean and accessible, providing safe, and sustainable travel options for millions of people around the globe. Proper planning of public transport system also ensures that the system is competitive in terms of speed and cost. Public transport is a crucial asset, whose social, economic and environmental benefits extend beyond those who use it regularly; it reduces the amount of cars and road infrastructure in cities; reduces injuries and fatalities associated to car accidents, and gives transport accessibility to very large demographic groups. Goal of the class is to understand the main characteristics and differences of public transport networks. Their various performance criteria based on various perspective and stakeholders. The most relevant decision making problems in a planning tactical and operational point of view At the end of this course, students can critically analyze existing networks of public transport, their design and use; consider and substantiate possible improvements to existing networks of public transport and the management of those networks; optimize the use of resources in public transport. General structure: general introduction of transport, modes, technologies, system design and line planning for different situations, mathematical models for design and line planning timetabling and tactical planning, and related mathematical approaches operations, and quantitative support to operational problems, evaluation of public transport systems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Basics for line transport systems and networks Passenger/Supply requirements for line operations Objectives of system and network planning, from different perspectives and users, design dilemmas Conceptual concepts for passenger transport: long-distance, urban transport, regional, local transport Planning process, from demand evaluation to line planning to timetables to operations Matching demand and modes Line planning techniques Timetabling principles Allocation of resources Management of operations Measures of realized operations Improvements of existing services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture slides are provided. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Ceder, Avi: Public Transit Planning and Operation, CRC Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1466563919 (English) Holzapfel, Helmut: Urbanismus und Verkehr – Bausteine für Architekten, Stadt- und Verkehrsplaner, Vieweg+Teubner, Wiesbaden 2012, ISBN 978-3-8348-1950-5 (Deutsch) Hull, Angela: Transport Matters – Integrated approaches to planning city-regions, Routledge / Taylor & Francis Group, London / New York 2011, ISBN 978-0-415-48818-4 (English) Vuchic, Vukan R.: Urban Transit – Operations, Planning, and Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken / New Jersey 2005, ISBN 0-471-63265-1 (English) Walker, Jarrett: Human Transit – How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives, ISLAND PRESS, Washington / Covelo / London 2012, ISBN 978-1-59726-971-1 (English) White, Peter: Public Transport - Its Planning, Management and Operation, 5th edition, Routledge, London / New York 2009, ISBN 978-0415445306 (English) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 103-0317-00L | Introduction to Spatial Development and Transformation Only for master students, otherwise a special permisson by the lecturer is required. | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Nollert, D. Kaufmann | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course deals with important theoretical, material and methodical foundations for action and decision-making of spatial relevance. This course discusses central tasks and possible solutions for current and future challenges of spatial development in Switzerland and Europe. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Spatial development deals with the development, formation and arrangement of our environment. In order to be able to mediate between the different demands, interests and projects of multiple actors, a forward-looking, action-oriented and robust planning is necessary. It is committed - in the sense of a sustainable spatial development - to the economical handling of resources, in particular of the non-replicable resource soil. The lecture introduces necessary basic knowledge and is based on the following main topics: – Inward development and challenges of spatial transformation – Planning approaches and The (political) steering of spatial development – Interplay of formal and informal processes and processes across different scales of spatial development – Methods of action-oriented planning in situations of insecurity – Integrated space and infrastructure development – Different types of participation in spatial development By taking up the lecture, the students are able to recognize cross-scale, complex tasks of spatial development and transformation and to use their theoretical, methodical and professional knowledge to clarify them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | - Planning approaches and political organization in Switzerland - Tasks of spatial relevance - Key figures and ratios - Drivers of spatial development - Steering spatial development I: Policy - Steering spatial development II : Formal and informal instruments - Organizing spatial development I: Governance - Organizing spatial development II: Processes and organization - Methods in spatial planning I - Methods in spatial planning II - Planning in complex situations - Participation in spatial development - Present and future core tasks of spatial development | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Further information and the documents for the lecture can be found on the homepage of IRL/STL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 052-0707-00L | Urban Design III | W | 2 credits | 2V | H. Klumpner, M. Fessel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Students are introduced to a narrative of 'Urban Stories' through a series of three tools driven by social, governance, and environmental transformations in today's urbanization processes. Each lecture explores one city's spatial and organizational ingenuity born out of a particular place's realities, allowing students to transfer these inventions into a catalog of conceptual tools. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | How can students of architecture become active agents of change? What does it take to go beyond a building's scale, making design-relevant decisions to the city rather than a single client? How can we design in cities with a lack of land, tax base, risk, and resilience, understanding that Zurich is the exception and these other cities are the rule? How can we discover, set rather than follow trends and understand existing urban phenomena activating them in a design process? The lecture series produces a growing catalog of operational urban tools across the globe, considering Governance, Social, and Environmental realities. Instead of limited binary comparing of cities, we are building a catalog of change, analyzing what design solutions cities have been developing informally incrementally over time, why, and how. We look at the people, institutions, culture behind the design and make concepts behind these tools visible. Students get first-hand information from cities where the chair as a Team has researched, worked, or constructed projects over the last year, allowing competent, practical insight about the people and topics that make these places unique. Students will be able to use and expand an alternative repertoire of experiences and evidence-based design tools, go to the conceptual core of them, and understand how and to what extent they can be relevant in other places. Urban Stories is the basic practice of architecture and urban design. It introduces a repertoire of urban design instruments to the students to use, test, and start their designs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Urban form cannot be reduced to physical space. Cities result from social construction, under the influence of technologies, ecology, culture, the impact of experts, and accidents. Urban un-concluded processes respond to political interests, economic pressure, cultural inclinations, along with the imagination of architects and urbanists and the informal powers at work in complex adaptive systems. Current urban phenomena are the result of urban evolution. The facts stored in urban environments include contributions from its entire lifecycle, visible in the physical environment, and non-physical aspects. This imaginary city exists along with its potentials and problems and with the conflicts that have evolved. Knowledge and understanding, along with a critical observation of the actions and policies, are necessary to understand the diversity and instability present in the contemporary city and understand how urban form evolved to its current state. How did cities develop into the cities we live in now? Urban plans, instruments, visions, political decisions, economic reasonings, cultural inputs, and social organization have been used to operate in urban settlements in specific moments of change. We have chosen cities that exemplify how these instruments have been implemented and how they have shaped urban environments. We transcribe these instruments into urban operational tools that we have recognized and collected within existing tested cases in contemporary cities across the globe. This lecture series will introduce urban knowledge and the way it has introduced urban models and operational modes within different concrete realities, therefore shaping cities. The lecture series translates urban knowledge into operational tools, extracted from cities where they have been tested and become exemplary samples, most relevant for understanding how the urban landscape has taken shape. The tools are clustered in twelve thematic clusters and three tool scales for better comparability and cross-reflection. The Tool case studies are compiled into a global urbanization toolbox, which we use as typological models to read the city and critically reflect upon it. The presented contents are meant to serve as inspiration for positioning in future professional life and provide instruments for future design decisions. In an interview with a local designer, we measure our insights against the most pressing design topics in cities today, including inclusion, affordable housing, provision of public spaces, and infrastructure for all. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The learning material, available via https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/ is comprised of: - Toolbox 'Reader' with an introduction to the lecture course and tool summaries - Weekly exercise tasks - Infographics with basic information of each city - Quiz question for each tool - Additional reading material - Interviews with experts - Archive of lecture recordings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | - Reading material will be provided throughout the semester. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-08L | Evidence-Based Design: Methods and Tools For Evaluating Architectural Design Number of participants limited to 40 Particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH | W | 3 credits | 2S | M. Gath Morad, C. Hölscher, L. Narvaez Zertuche, C. Veddeler | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Students are taught a variety of analytic techniques that can be used to evaluate architectural design. The concept of evidence-based design is introduced, and complemented with theoretical background on space syntax and spatial cognition. This is a project-oriented course, students implement a range of methods on a sample project. The course is tailored for architecture design students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The course aims to teach students how to evaluate a design project from the perspective of the end user. The concept of evidence-based design is introduced through a series of case studies. Students are given a theoretical background in space syntax and spatial cognition, with a view to applying this knowledge during the design process. The course covers a range of methods including visibility analysis, network analysis, conducting real-world observations, and virtual reality for architectural design. Students apply these methods to a case study of their choice, which can be at building or urban scale. For students taking a B-ARCH or M-ARCH degree, this can be a completed or ongoing design studio project. The course gives students the chance to implement the methods iteratively and explore how best to address the needs of the eventual end-user during the design process. The course is tailored for students studying for B-ARCH and M-ARCH degrees. As an alternative to obtaining D-GESS credit, architecture students can obtain course credit in "Vertiefungsfach" or "Wahlfach". | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 151-0216-00L | Wind Energy | W | 4 credits | 2V + 1U | N. Chokani | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The objective of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamentals, technologies, modern day application, and economics of wind energy. These subjects are introduced through a discussion of the basic principles of wind energy generation and conversion, and a detailed description of the broad range of relevant technical, economic and environmental topics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The objective of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamentals, technologies, modern day application, and economics of wind energy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This mechanical engineering course focuses on the technical aspects of wind turbines; non-technical issues are not within the scope of this technically oriented course. On completion of this course, the student shall be able to conduct the preliminary aerodynamic and structural design of the wind turbine blades. The student shall also be more aware of the broad context of drivetrains, dynamics and control, electrical systems, and meteorology, relevant to all types of wind turbines. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 227-0731-00L | Power Market I - Portfolio and Risk Management | W | 6 credits | 4G | D. Reichelt, G. A. Koeppel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Portfolio and risk management in the electrical power business, Pan-European power market and trading, futures and forward contracts, hedging, options and derivatives, performance indicators for the risk management, modelling of physical assets, cross-border trading, ancillary services, balancing power market, Swiss market model. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Knowlege on the worldwide liberalisation of electricity markets, pan-european power trading and the role of power exchanges. Understand financial products (derivatives) based on power. Management of a portfolio containing physical production, contracts and derivatives. Evaluate trading and hedging strategies. Apply methods and tools of risk management. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | 1. Pan-European power market and trading 1.1. Power trading 1.2. Development of the European power markets 1.3. Energy economics 1.4. Spot and OTC trading 1.5. European energy exchange EEX 2. Market model 2.1. Market place and organisation 2.2. Balance groups / balancing energy 2.3. Ancillary services 2.4. Market for ancillary services 2.5. Cross-border trading 2.6. Capacity auctions 3. Portfolio and Risk management 3.1. Portfolio management 1 (introduction) 3.2. Forward and futures contracts 3.3. Risk management 1 (m2m, VaR, hpfc, volatility, cVaR) 3.4. Risk management 2 (PaR) 3.5. Contract valuation (HPFC) 3.6. Portfolio management 2 2.8. Risk Management 3 (enterprise wide) 4. Energy & Finance I 4.1. Options 1 – basics 4.2. Options 2 – hedging with options 4.3. Introduction to derivatives (swaps, cap, floor, collar) 4.4. Financial modelling of physical assets 4.5. Trading and hydro power 4.6. Incentive regulation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts of the lecture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | 1 excursion per semester, 2 case studies, guest speakers for specific topics. Course Moodle: https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/enrol/index.php?id=11636 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 363-1047-00L | Urban Systems and Transportation | W | 3 credits | 2G | G. Loumeau | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course is an introduction to urban and regional economics. It focuses on the formation and development of urban systems, and highlight how transport infrastructure investments can affect the location, size and composition of such systems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The main objective of this course is to provide students with some basic tools to analyze the fundamental economic forces at play in urban systems (i.e., agglomeration and congestion forces), and the role of transport networks in shaping the structure of these systems. Why do urban areas grow or decline? How do transport networks affect the location of individuals and firms? Does the location of a firm determine its productivity? Can transport infrastructure investments reduce economic disparities? These are some of the questions that students should be able to answer after having completed the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course is organized in four parts. I start with the key observation that economic activity (both in terms of population density and productivity) is unevenly distributed in space. For instance, the share of the population living in urban centers is increasing globally, from 16% in 1900 and 50% in 2000 to about 68% by the year 2050 (UN, World Economic Prospects, 2014). The goal of the first part is then to understand the economic forces at play behind these trends, looking at the effects within and across urban areas. I will also discuss how natural or man-made geographical characteristics (e.g., rivers, mountains, borders, etc.) affect the development of such urban systems. In the second part, I discuss the planning and pricing of transport networks, moving from simple local models to more complex transport models at a global scale. The key aspects include: the first and second best road pricing, the public provision of transport networks and the demographic effects of transport networks. In the third part, I combine the previous two parts and analyze the interaction between urban systems and transportation. Thereby, the main focus is to understand the economic mechanisms that can lead to a general equilibrium of all actors involved. However, as the study of the historical development of urban systems and transport networks provides interesting insights, I will discuss how their interaction in the past shapes today’s economic geography. Finally, I broaden the scope of the course and explore related topics. There will be a particular emphasis on the relation between urban systems and fiscal federalism as well as environmental policies. Both aspects are important determinants of the contemporary developments of urban systems, and as such deserve our attention. In general, this class focuses on the latest research developments in urban and regional economics, though it does not require prior knowledge in this field. It pays particular attention to economic approaches, which are based on theoretical frameworks with strong micro-foundations and allow for precise policy recommendations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course slides will be made available to students prior to each class. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Course slides will be made available to students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 151-0163-00L | Nuclear Energy Conversion Does not take place this semester. | W | 4 credits | 2V + 1U | A. Manera | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Phyiscal fundamentals of the fission reaction and the sustainable chain reaction, thermal design, construction, function and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants, light water reactors and other reactor types, converion and breeding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students get an overview on energy conversion in nuclear power plants, on construction and function of the most important types of nuclear reactors with special emphasis to light water reactors. They obtain the mathematical/physical basis for quantitative assessments concerning most relevant aspects of design, dynamic behaviour as well as material and energy flows. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Nuclear physics of fission and chain reaction. Themodynamics of nuclear reactors. Design of the rector core. Introduction into the dynamic behaviour of nuclear reactors. Overview on types of nuclear reactors, difference between thermal reactors and fast breaders. Construction and operation of nuclear power plants with pressurized and boiling water reactors, role and function of the most important safety systems, special features of the energy conversion. Development tendencies of rector technology. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Hand-outs will be distributed. Additional literature and information on the website of the lab: Link | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | S. Glasston & A. Sesonke: Nuclear Reactor Engineering, Reactor System Engineering, Ed. 4, Vol. 2., Springer-Science+Business Media, B.V. R. L. Murray: Nuclear Energy (Sixth Edition), An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes, Elsevier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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