2020-2021
Introduction to Scientific High Performance Computing
All levels, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland
Objectives of the course: Participants are introduced to the concept of parallelized high-performance computing using a Linux based cluster computer. The course covers a basic introduction to command line Linux based operating systems, the slurm batch job submission system, scaling of computational demand (CPU, memory, time), configuring CPU demand for parallel computation, configurations of memory demand, usage of modules and singularity containers, GPU computations, and large data/storage.
Responsibilities: Course lead: Setup of the course, Conceptual development, Planning, logistics.
2020
Massive Open Online Course: ENM2020 Environmental Niche Modelling
All levels, Online only
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8N9qHcCPyk
Objectives of the course: The Ecological Niche Modelling 2020 course is a jointly-taught, open-access course designed to provide a broad introduction to the use of niche modelling and distribution modelling tools in the broader field of distributional ecology.
Responsibilities: Preparation and provision of the lecture on climate data.
2017-2018
Spatial Modelling: From Climate & Land Use Change to Biodiversity Conservation 701-1679-00L
Msc. level, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ETH, Switzerland
http://www.vvz.ethz.ch/Vorlesungsverzeichnis/lerneinheit.view?lang=de&semkez=2018W&lerneinheitId=123468&
Objectives of the course: Students are introduced the concept of the ecological niche and biodiversity theories, as well as an overview of the knowledge on expected biodiversity response to global changes and conservation planning methods. These are taught using statistical methods such as generalized linear models, generalized additive models, classification and regression trees, machine learning methods, basic GIS, and programming elements in the statistical environment R.
Responsibilities: Design a research project to be conducted by students, mentoring a small group of students (2-3) in this research project, teaching students how to write a research report and helping them develop research ideas, administering examinations and grading these; course size ~ 25 students.
2017-2018
Spatial Modelling: From Climate & Land Use Change to Biodiversity Conservation 701-1679-00L
Msc. level, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ETH, Switzerland
http://www.vvz.ethz.ch/Vorlesungsverzeichnis/lerneinheit.view?lang=de&semkez=2018W&lerneinheitId=123468&
Objectives of the course: Students are introduced the concept of the ecological niche and biodiversity theories, as well as an overview of the knowledge on expected biodiversity response to global changes and conservation planning methods. These are taught using statistical methods such as generalized linear models, generalized additive models, classification and regression trees, machine learning methods, basic GIS, and programming elements in the statistical environment R.
Responsibilities: Design a research project to be conducted by students, mentoring a small group of students (2-3) in this research project, teaching students how to write a research report and helping them develop research ideas, administering examinations and grading these; course size ~ 25 students.
2016
Evolution and biodiversity II: Vertebrates and plants (4 ETSC) BIO121
Bsc. level, University of Zurich, Switzerland
https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html?sap-language=DE&sap-ui-language=DE#/details/2016/004/SM/50773442
Objectives of the course: The morphological and biological properties of the main groups of vertebrates and land plants are presented in lectures and practical courses. The evolutionary history (macroevolution) of the groups is discussed with respect to the patterns of morphological and ontogenetic evolution, as well as extinct and current vertebrate and plant communities.
Responsibilities: Designing and presenting the lecture on ferns and lycophytes, conducting the practical training of students on the morphology, evolution, systematics, and ecology of ferns and lycophytes; course size ~ 120 students.
2014
Island biogeographic field course - Canary Islands excursion (6 ETSC) BIO238
Msc. level,University of Zurich, Switzerland.
https://www.zi.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:ef1b9c93-c91d-43dc-801c-38d38b116af4/FS14_Lehrveranstaltungen.pdf
Objectives of the course: Students should learn the different ecological and biogeographical features of an island ecosystem. Main focus is given on the different ecosystems and their biodiversity occurring on Tenerife Island. Students will learn how to plan and conduct an island biogeographical research project and will conduct fieldwork during the excursion.
Responsibilities: Conducting lectures on island biogeography in preparation for the excursion, designing an island biogeographical research project, mentoring a group of 3 students in conducting the project, giving lectures on statistical analysis, helping students in writing research reports, grading reports and administering examinations; course size ~ 12 students.
2011-2016
Botanical half day excursions (1 ETSC) BIO 237
Msc. level,University of Zurich, Switzerland.
https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html?sap-language=DE&sap-ui-language=DE#/details/2019/003/SM/50035360
Objectives of the course:The botanical excursions promote the knowledge of the diversity of native flowering plants. They are open to students of biology and other fields of study. The excursions not only teach the names of the plants, but also explain the characteristics of the species and show ecological and biological relationships.
Responsibilities: Preparation of the field excursions, selecting locations and plant species, organizing logistics, teaching students from various academic fields in the ecology and systematics of mosses, ferns, and flowering plants; course size ~15 students.
2011-2016
Flora of Switzerland: Diversity of Flowering Plants (6 ETSC) BIO304
Msc. level,University of Zurich, Switzerland.
https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html?sap-language=DE&sap-ui-language=DE#/details/2016/004/SM/50433962
Objectives of the course:Students learn the diversity of native flowering plants for different habitats in Switzerland and evaluate them with regard to their diversity patterns. They learn how to determine and document plants using different methods and how to interpret the vegetation formation. This course consists of field work, lectures, and independent exercises.
Responsibilities: Preparation of course material, helping students with the identification of plant specimens using botanical literature, helping them during fieldwork and with plant morphological character identification; course size ~ 20 students.
2011
Biogeography and Biodiversity (6 ETSC) BIO227
Msc. level,University of Zurich, Switzerland.
https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html?sap-language=DE&sap-ui-language=DE#/details/2020/003/SM/50476563
Objectives of the course:In this course, students deal with questions such as "why are there more species here than elsewhere?" or "why does a species have a certain distribution?". For this, they work in small groups to design research projects on the basis of recent scientific publications. In this way, students acquire skills in planning experiments (experimental design, statistical requirements, etc.) and scientific writing.
Responsibilities: Presenting parts of the lecture, mentoring a small group of students (2-3) on developing research projects, teaching students how to write a research grant application and helping them with developing research ideas; course size ~12 students.
2010
2-week Botanical Field Excursion in the Philippines
Ph.D. level, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Objectives of the course:Students should learn the different ecological and biogeographical features of an archipelagic island ecosystem. Main focus was given to the different ecosystems and their biodiversity such as: a lowland rainforest, mangrove forests, ultramafic forests, succession after volcanic eruptions (Pinatubo), and a mountain cloud forest.
Responsibilities: Conceptual development, logistical planning, coordination, financial management, international relations, reservation of accommodations, leading the field excursions, preparation of course material; course size ~ 30 students.
2008-2009
Basic practical course in Botany (6 ECTS), B.Bio.103
BSc. level, University of Göttingen, Germany.
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/518753.html
Objectives of the course:Students acquire a basic knowledge of the structure and evolution of plants (algae, mosses, ferns, seed plants) and fungi, the morphology and anatomy of higher plants, as well as an overview of the plant kingdom. They should develop the ability to produce, analyze, interpret, and present light microscopic preparations of plant cells, tissues, and organs.
Responsibilities: Preparation of microscopic specimen for the course, helping students identify plant morphological characters, helping them with microscopic work; course size ~ 40 students.
2008-2009
Structure and diversity of plants, (6 ECTS), B.Bio.210
BSc. level, University of Göttingen, Germany.
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/523019.html
Objectives of the course:Students acquire basic knowledge of the systematics, evolution, ecology, structure, and diversity of central European higher plants. They acquire these skills in systematic classification using drawing and analysis of morphological characteristics and practice the use of plant floras and identification keys. Using field excursions, students are also provided with an overview of the most important native plant species in their natural habitat.
Responsibilities: Preparation of plant material for the course, helping students identify plant specimens using botanical literature with a focus on relevant morphological characters; course size ~ 40 students.