Claudia Mohr: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2025 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Claudia Mohr |
| Field | Aerosol Chemistry |
| Address | Professur für Aerosolchemie ETH Zürich, CHN M 12.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 58 96 |
| claudia.mohr@env.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 651-4095-01L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1   | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, S. I. Seneviratne, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, C. Heald, R. Jnglin Wills, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, C. Mohr, A. Prein, H. Wernli, M. Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate science | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 651-4095-02L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, S. I. Seneviratne, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, C. Heald, R. Jnglin Wills, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, C. Mohr, A. Prein, H. Wernli, M. Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 651-4095-03L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Joos, S. I. Seneviratne, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, E. Fischer, N. Gruber, C. Heald, R. Jnglin Wills, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, C. Mohr, A. Prein, H. Wernli, M. Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 701-0471-AAL | Atmospheric Chemistry Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 3 credits | 6R | M. Ammann, C. Heald, C. Mohr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This is a self-study course targeted at Master students who did not follow the bachelor course "atmospheric chemistry" or equivalent, providing a general introduction into atmospheric chemistry. It introduces the relevant fundamental concepts, which are explored in the context of key environmental issues, such as air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and connections to climate change. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | At the end of this course, students are able to: 1. describe the structure of the atmosphere and list atmospheric components and their main properties 2. define and describe the chemical and physical processes in the stratosphere and troposphere, follow reaction mechanisms, and apply rate laws 3. describe the physical and chemical principles of air pollution and summarize the most important legislative measures 4. discuss the local, regional, and global aspects of interactions between air quality, ecosystem health, and climate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | - Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), atmospheric structure, UV radiation, transport timescales. - Kinetics of gas phase reactions: rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions. - Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol. - Tropospheric chemistry: oxidizing capacity of the troposphere and the role of OH, oxidation and global budgets of CO and CH4, role of NOx, and the global tropospheric O3 budget. - Surface ozone chemistry: HOx-NOx cycle, role of VOCs, O3 isopleth, ozone production efficiency. - Aerosols: primary and secondary sources, composition, quantities and measures, connections to climate. - Multiphase chemistry: solubility of gases, Raoult’s Law and hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, aqueous phase sulfur chemistry, secondary organic aerosol formation. - Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, deposition processes, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends. - Global aspects: air quality - climate interactions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The slides, notes and exercises of the preceding edition of the bachelor course 701-0471-01L Atmospheric Chemistry will be provided. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basic education in chemistry and physics are expected | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 701-1262-00L | Atmospheric Chemistry Lab Work (Block Course) | 2.5 credits | 5P | C. Mohr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This atmospheric chemistry laboratory course introduces students to state-of-the-art instruments and methods for the investigation of the physico-chemical properties of aerosol particles at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry (Paul Scherrer Institute). We will use a flowtube to coat black carbon particles with organic material and to observe the changes in their physical-optical properties. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | At the end of this course, students will have gained hands-on skills and familiarity with laboratory experiments and instruments common in the field of atmospheric chemistry. To achieve this, they need to be able to do the following: 1. Use a given experimental setup to plan, design and perform a laboratory experiment that will answer pre-defined scientific questions and confirm or contradict hypotheses. Significant learning steps towards this objective: - Be able to formulate a hypothesis that can be tested. - Work as a group in the laboratory and find synergies. - Be able to write a laboratory report in group work. - List and comply with safety regulations, good experimental practices and research integrity practices. 2. From a set of given instruments choose the right instrumentation for the relevant parameters to be measured, explain why and operate them at a basic level. 3. Analyse data from the experiment, write a scientific report, and present data, interpretation and results in a coherent way. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This atmospheric chemistry laboratory course introduces students to state-of-the-art instruments and data analysis for the investigation of the physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry (Paul Scherrer Institute). The study of atmospheric aerosols, their impacts and uncertainties to climate and health, pose one of the greatest challenges to humanity. Of particular interest is black carbon (BC), which is emitted directly into the atmosphere through a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic combustion processes including: fossil fuels for transportation, industrial and residential use, and wildfires. Following emission, BC can undergo physical and chemical aging, including coating by (secondary) organics that are often co-emitted during combustion. This aging impacts the physical properties of BC (absorption and scattering), but remains poorly understood. With a changing climate, and forecasted increase in events such as wildfires, understanding the impact these aging processes have on climate, air quality and human health is critical. Students will perform flow tube experiments to generate BC particles coated with secondary organic aerosol. Experiments will require the use of gas monitors for the analysis of oxidant concentrations, aerosol instruments for determining the number and size of particles generated, and optical instruments to measure aerosol absorption and scattering. In small teams, students will focus on specific aspects of a complete investigation of aerosol aging. Results from each team will be compiled and discussed as a group to derive the final results of the investigation (as an oral presentation). A key focus of this course will be on the characterization of physical-optical properties, which are key for understanding the role of aged BC particles in the Earth’s radiative budget. Students will also be introduced to basic principles in data analysis, including the determination of experimental uncertainty, which is important for contextualizing these experiments on a global level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Hand-outs will be distributed during the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Material will be distributed during the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This module may be attended by 12 students at most. Practical work is carried out in groups of 2, max. 3. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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