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Switzerland
Courses taught in EnglishSpring Semester 2018
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource SciencesZurich University of Applied SciencesInstitute of Natural Resource Sciences in Wädenswil
Cometo
Zürcher FachhochschuleMar
ch 2
017
Contact
Yvonne Christ | International Coordinator [email protected]
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences IUNR Institute of Natural Resource Sciences Campus Grüental Postfach CH 8820 Wädenswil Switzerland
Phone +41 58 934 57 69 Web www.zhaw.ch/lsfm/study
Applied ecology 2 (4 ECTS)
In cold, snowy winters, red deer are fed with hay or silage in certain regions. Understanding why this measure makes no biological sense for wild animals requires detailed knowledge of the physiological properties of this species. In this module students gain such ecological and biological knowledge of wildlife. The objective is to provide the knowledge needed for effective wildlife management and sustainable use of natural habitats. The different factors that determine and influence populations of animals are discussed as well as behavioural and physiological aspects. An introduction to bioacoustics is also provided in the course.
Focal points: • Further development of the fundamentals of biological and ecological wildlife • Population biology• Population dynamics• Space requirements for predation and resources• Dispersal and migration• Selected biological, behavioural and physiological fundamentals• In-depth focus on the ecology of selected species groups• Bioacoustics
Contact: [email protected]
Vegetation analysis and plant systematics (4 ECTS)
Vegetation and flora play an important role in the fields of nature conservation, agriculture, forestry and water management. The module consists of two courses: (1) Vegetation analysis and (2) Systematic botany. In the ‘Vegetation analysis’ course, the principles and methods needed for dealing with floristic and vegetational ecological questions in space and time are examined, from defining the objectives of a study to interpreting the often complex results. Both a solid knowledge of flora and the ability to determine unknown plants are crucial for fieldwork in vegetational ecology.
The ‘Systematic botany’ course provides a basic understanding of plant systematics. This greatly facilitates the assignment of unknown plants to a genus or family, which, in turn, substantially accelerates the determination process. Overviews of the relevant literature, the traditional keys to the flora of Switzerland, and using modern identification tools such as iPho-ne-Apps are also included.
Focal points: • Vegetation analysis: sampling design, relevé methods, analysis and interpretation of vegetation
data• Plant systematics: characteristic traits of the 20 most important plant families in Switzerland,
traditional keys to the flora of Switzerland, modern identification tools
Contact: [email protected]
Basics 3 of nature management (6 ECTS)
To do their work correctly, nature managers need a full understanding of ecosystems as well as the ability to assess complex relationships in a holistic way. The module looks at terrestrial ecosystems and focusses on processes, functions, pressure and disturbances in forest and wetland systems. Practical methods from sampling and interpretation to modeling and repor-ting are taught, building knowledge from single points of interest to an overall picture of the complexity of these ecosystems. Special attention is paid to the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. Students learn about theories and methods of research in terrestrial ecosys-tems, and are able to understand ecosystems in a holistic way.
Focal points • Forest and wetland-ecosystems• Detection of relations and dependencies in terrestrial ecosystems• Legal protection for ecosystems• Interpretation of scientific data
Contact: [email protected]
Molecular biological analysis and application (4 ECTS)
Molecular biological diagnosis and analysis is increasingly being used in the field and therefo-re gaining practical significance in several areas of natural resource sciences. The aim of this module is to familiarise students with these methods and procedures, as well as to examine their practical significance and application. The module also gives an overview of the application of these methods in nature conservati-on, environmental protection, agriculture and ecotechnology. Methods of analysis and for the appraisal of findings are included. The module is still in development after its first realization in 2015 and some changes may be made to the content.
Focal points:• State of the art of molecular analysis and diagnosis• Polymerase chain reaction and DNA-sequencing • Molecular identification of organisms• Genomics and bioinformatics• Biotechnological procedures
Contact: [email protected]
Basics of renewable energies and ecological en-gineering 3 (6 ECTS)
First main topic of this module is building physics. Thermal insulation is essential to enhance comfort, minimize energy losses and prevent damage in the building envelope. U-value calcu-lation, heat flow and losses in a building, and the pattern of heating and cooling demand are the next points to be taught. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) consti-tute the second main topic. Here students should gain the ability to decide which systems are best suited to different environments and goals. Sanitation systems constitute the third main topic in this module. Today‘s demand for high comfort and hygienic levels results in a notable energy demand for domestic hot water (DHW). Thus heating of DHW will be investigated in detail.
Focal points:• Thermal insulation of buildings• Humid air and humidity in walls• Building energy flow in winter and summer• HVAC systems• Energy issues of sanitary systems
Contact: [email protected]: The course Energy in buildings, geothermal energy (4 ECTS) is an ideal complement to this course. Together these two courses provide a comprehensive knowledge of the topic ‘energy and buildings’.
Environmental Heat (4 ECTS)
The module deals with environmental heat and its potential. Such heat can be gained from the outside air by using shallow geothermal energy or as waste heat from industrial or com-mercial processes. As this heat is normally utilized via heat pumps, heat pumps will constitute a main part of the module.Heat can also be generated by burning wood. In Switzerland, 32% of the land area is covered by forests, which means that this resource can be used in a sustainable manner. Wood fired boilers and measures to minimize emissions are focal points in these lessons. The other half of the module is devoted to shallow geothermal energy, its origin and potential as well as the different ways to use geothermal energy. The design and calculation of borehole heat exch-angers are main points.
Focal points:• Potential of environmental heat• Heat pumps• Wood as energy resource• Overview on shallow and deep geothermal energy• Design and calculation of borehole heat exchangers
Contact: [email protected]
Geographic information systems (GIS) (4 ECTS)
Geographic information systems (GIS) provide opportunities to capture, manage, analyse and present spatial data. Over the last decade, geographic information systems have become well-established in the private sector, in public administration and in science. It is particularly difficult to imagine the environmental application field, with its interdisciplinary and geospatial issues, without GIS. In the assessment of natural hazards, spatial and transportation plan-ning, environmental monitoring, wildlife management, GIS are widely used. In this module, students gain the fundamental theoretical knowledge of geographic informa-tion systems, and acquire the essential skills and abilities for their goal-oriented and effective practical use.
Focal Points:• Components, opportunities and limitations of geographic information systems• Data sources, data formats and data types; capturing geometric and attribute data• Conceptual data models (entities vs. fields) and data structures (raster vs. vector) for spatial data• Spatial analysis functions for raster and vector data• Methods of presentation and cartographic visualisation of spatial data
Contact: [email protected]
Semester paper (4 ECTS)
The ability to write according to scientific principles is a decisive factor for academic and professional success. Scientific work has been transformed by the advent of digital media and educational reforms. However, the fact that academic research forces students to work independently remains. With their semester paper, students learn how to independently exa-mine and document a practical topic using prescribed methods or processes individually or in pairs. The focus is on performance and evaluation of a piece of literature research as well as writing according to scientific standards.
Focal points• Planning and carrying out a piece of scientific work• Literature research and collecting, evaluating and interpreting the relevant data • Presenting procedures and solutions in clear language with compelling visual presentation• Composing a structured, scientific report• The ability to work independently and in teams
Contact: [email protected]
Water, energy, wastewater (4 ECTS)
Water is one of the most crucial and pressing issues for the survival of humankind in the fu-ture. Its production, transport and treatment of water is always tightly linked to energy issues. This close relationship is called the water-energy-nexus. The module will deal with this nexus, specifically with methods and procedures linking water, water quality and different forms of energy. The module is currently in development and will first be offered in the spring semester of 2018.
Focal points:• Conceptual links between water and energy• Water flow in pipelines and tubes (pumps, pipelines and tubes, conceptional issues)• Production of drinking water, recycled water and service water• Circular flow systems, decentralized wastewater treatment methods and the related biological
processes• Hydro electricity generation (e. g. hydropower and drinking water power plants)
Contact: [email protected]: The module Basics of renewable raw materials and renewable energies 3 – energy and buildings (6 ECTS) is an ideal complement to this module. Together these two modules provide comprehensive knowledge of the topic ‘energy and buildings’. Compulsory exercises in both modules enable students to combine learning from these modules.
Environmental analysis (4 ECTS)
In the environmental analysis module, the areas covered in the minor ‘Field Diagnostics and Analytics’ are examined in greater depth. As part of a field diagnostic and analytical metapro-ject, students implement aspects from the Field Diagnostics, Molecular Analysis or Chemical Analysis specialisations that are relevant to them. This allows students, depending on the fo-cus of their studies, to use the methods of data logging, monitoring, diagnostics and environ-mental analysis. The results from this metaproject are combined to create an interdisciplinary report. This module is being developed in conjunction with the minor ‘Field Diagnostics and Ana-lytics’. Eight blocks of lectures on several related topics are given during the spring semester, while the metaproject takes place in week 23 (after the spring semester). This module is avai-lable for students taking the minor as well as for students participating in parts of the minor.
Focal points:• Field diagnostics• Molecular analysis• Chemical analysis
Contact: [email protected]
Deutsch für Fremdsprachige (2 ETCS)
Der Kurs richtet sich an Studierende, deren Muttersprache nicht Deutsch ist und die ihre Deutschkenntnisse verbessern und vertiefen wollen. Geübt wird Leseverstehen, Hörverste-hen, schriftlichen und mündlichen Ausdruck sowie Grammatik und Stilistik. Die Schwerpunkte des Unterrichts werden mit den Studierenden besprochen und festgelegt.
Kontakt: [email protected]
English for Environmental Engineers 2 (2 ETCS)
This course complements the IUNR courses taught in English by giving students the oppor-tunity to improve and extend their English knowledge and skills, particularly in the area of Natural Resource Sciences/Environmental Engineering. A variety of both written and audio/video input is used, and students learn to give effective presentations in English as well as to improve their writing skills. The course is taught at 3 different levels: intermediate, upper-inter-mediate and advanced.
Contact: [email protected]
Writing Clinic
The courses taught in English enable students to become more competent, effective users of the English language. The Writing Clinic contributes to this by assisting students with any English language needs they have during the courses and provides help with writing in English. In particular, students have the opportunity to improve their written texts and general writing ability in individual face-to-face sessions. Online help can also be provided.
Contact: [email protected]
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