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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| 860-0011-00L | Agent-Based Modeling and Social System Simulation - With Coding Project  Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc. Prerequisites: Good mathematical skills, basic programming skills, elementary probability and statistics. | W | 6 credits | 2S + 2A | N. Antulov-Fantulin, T. Asikis, D. Helbing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course introduces mathematical and computational models to study techno-socio-economic systems and the process of scientific research. Students develop a significant project to tackle techno-socio-economic challenges in application domains of complex systems. They are expected to implement a model and communicating their results through a seminar thesis and a short oral presentation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The students are expected to know a programming language and environment (Python, Java or Matlab) as a tool to solve various scientific problems. The use of a high-level programming environment makes it possible to quickly find numerical solutions to a wide range of scientific problems. Students will learn to take advantage of a rich set of tools to present their results numerically and graphically. The students should be able to implement simulation models and document their skills through a seminar thesis and finally give a short oral presentation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Students are expected to implement themselves models of various social processes and systems, including agent-based models, complex networks models, decision making, group dynamics, human crowds, or game-theoretical models. Part of this course will consist of supervised programming exercises. Credit points are finally earned for the implementation of a mathematical or empirical model from the complexity science literature and the documentation in a seminar thesis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The lecture slides will be presented on the course web page after each lecture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Agent-Based Modeling https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-24004-1_2 Social Self-Organization https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642240034 Traffic and related self-driven many-particle systems Reviews of Modern Physics 73, 1067 https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.73.1067 An Analytical Theory of Traffic Flow (collection of papers) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261629187 Pedestrian, Crowd, and Evacuation Dynamics https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/handle/20.500.11850/45424 The hidden geometry of complex, network-driven contagion phenomena (relevant for modeling pandemic spread) https://science.sciencemag.org/content/342/6164/1337 Further literature will be recommended in the lectures. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The number of participants is limited to the size of the available computer teaching room. The source code related to the seminar thesis should be well enough documented. Good programming skills and a good understanding of probability & statistics and calculus are expected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 101-0417-00L | Transport Planning Methods | W | 6 credits | 4G | K. W. Axhausen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides the necessary knowledge to develop models supporting and also evaluating the solution of given planning problems. The course is composed of a lecture part, providing the theoretical knowledge, and an applied part in which students develop their own models in order to evaluate a transport project/ policy by means of cost-benefit analysis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - Knowledge and understanding of statistical methods and algorithms commonly used in transport planning - Comprehend the reasoning and capabilities of transport models - Ability to independently develop a transport model able to solve / answer planning problem - Getting familiar with cost-benefit analysis as a decision-making supporting tool | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course provides the necessary knowledge to develop models supporting the solution of given planning problems and also introduces cost-benefit analysis as a decision-making tool. Examples of such planning problems are the estimation of traffic volumes, prediction of estimated utilization of new public transport lines, and evaluation of effects (e.g. change in emissions of a city) triggered by building new infrastructure and changes to operational regulations. To cope with that, the problem is divided into sub-problems, which are solved using various statistical models (e.g. regression, discrete choice analysis) and algorithms (e.g. iterative proportional fitting, shortest path algorithms, method of successive averages). The course is composed of a lecture part, providing the theoretical knowledge, and an applied part in which students develop their own models in order to evaluate a transport project/ policy by means of cost-benefit analysis. Interim lab session take place regularly to guide and support students with the applied part of the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Moodle platform (enrollment needed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Willumsen, P. and J. de D. Ortuzar (2003) Modelling Transport, Wiley, Chichester. Cascetta, E. (2001) Transportation Systems Engineering: Theory and Methods, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Sheffi, Y. (1985) Urban Transportation Networks: Equilibrium Analysis with Mathematical Programming Methods, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs. Schnabel, W. and D. Lohse (1997) Verkehrsplanung, 2. edn., vol. 2 of Grundlagen der Strassenverkehrstechnik und der Verkehrsplanung, Verlag für Bauwesen, Berlin. McCarthy, P.S. (2001) Transportation Economics: A case study approach, Blackwell, Oxford. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0012-01L | Cooperation and Conflict Over International Water Resources, In-Depth Case Study Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc and PhD students. Prerequisite: you have to be enrolled in 860-0012-00L during the same semester. | W | 3 credits | 2A | B. Wehrli, T. Bernauer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Students write an individual term paper on technical, economic, and political water challenges in an international context. Coached by one of the instructors, students develop and write a case study that examines ways and means to address a specific challenge, and to evaluate success or failure of international collaboration. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | In developing their individual term paper, the students broaden their overview of (1) causes and consequences of water scarcity and water pollution problems in an international context; (2) they assess concepts and policies to mitigate a specific water challenge, and (3) they analyze determinants of success or failure of international collaboration in the water sectors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | In the basic course on Cooperation and Conflict... 860-0012-00L the students students acquire basic knowledge on contentious issues in managing international water resources, on the determinants of cooperation and conflict over international water issues, and on ways and means of mitigating conflict and promoting cooperation. In this course, which is reserved to STP students, the participants will be individually coached by one of the instructors and do research and develop a case-study paper on an international water challenge of their choice. The topic should avoid overlap with the work in course 860-0012-00L. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | see 860-0012-00L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | In a global context, the targets of sustainable development goal 6 serve as a possible starting point: http://bit.ly/2yVARMG In the European context, the implementation reports of the Water Framework Directive represent another reference frame: http://bit.ly/2y5NPLl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is reserved for STP students who participate in the basic course on Cooperation and Conflict Over International Water Resources 860-0012-00L. STP students should sign up for both courses, 860-0012-00L and 860-0012-01L. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 860-0012-00L | Cooperation and Conflict Over International Water Resources Number of participants limited to 40. Priority for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc. This is a research seminar at the Master level. PhD students are also welcome. | W | 3 credits | 2S | B. Wehrli, T. Bernauer, E. Calamita, T. U. Siegfried | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This seminar focuses on the technical, economic, and political challenges of dealing with water allocation and pollution problems in large international river systems. It examines ways and means through which such challenges are addressed, and when and why international efforts in this respect succeed or fail. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Ability to (1) understand the causes and consequences of water scarcity and water pollution problems in large international river systems; (2) understand ways and means of addressing such water challenges; and (3) analyse when and why international efforts in this respect succeed or fail. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Based on lectures and discussion of scientific papers and reports, students acquire basic knowledge on contentious issues in managing international water resources, on the determinants of cooperation and conflict over international water issues, and on ways and means of mitigating conflict and promoting cooperation. Students will then, in small teams coached by the instructors, carry out research on a case of their choice (i.e. an international river basin where riparian countries are trying to find solutions to water allocation and/or water quality problems associated with a large dam project). They will write a brief paper and present their findings towards the end of the semester. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and reading materials will be distributed electronically. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The UN World Water Development Reports provide a broad overview of the topic: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course is open to Master and PhD students from any area of ETH. ISTP students who take this course should also register for the course 860-0012-01L - Cooperation and conflict over international water resources; In-depth case study. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 857-0098-00L | The Politics of Cybersecurity Number of participants limited to 15. MACIS students are given priority. | W | 8 credits | 2S | M. Dunn Cavelty, M. Leese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This research seminar focuses on the rise of “cyber security” as a security political issue. We focus on the interrelationship between digital technologies, their development, their use and misuse by human actors on the one hand and enduring negotiation processes between the state and its bureaucracies, society, and the private sector to develop solution on the other. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The aim of this research seminar is to introduce students to different waves of cybersecurity literature, have them reflect critically on the development and main focal points, and to give them enough theoretical background so that they can write a research papers on a cybersecurity politics topic of their choice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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