The teaching of Florian Altermatt and members of his group encompasses the following courses, which are mostly taught as part of the BSc/MSc Biodiversity study program/curricula at University of Zurich (EEE courses; part of them also open to BIO and ESS students):
EEE104: “Biodiversität und Lebensräume der Schweiz” (3 ECTS)
Module Coordinator and lecturer: Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt
This lecture course (Tuesday 2–4 pm, spring semester, incl. three practicals) gives a first, comprehensive overview of the diversity of animal and plants as well as the natural habitats of Switzerland.
The course “Biodiversity and Habitats of Switzerland” provides an overview of the organismic biodiversity and habitats of Switzerland. The most important faunistic and floristic elements of Switzerland are presented, focusing on species with a wide distribution, indicator species, and species of great ecological or economic relevance. Species knowledge is imparted on the basis of selected species groups. The course provides an introduction to the identification and recording of wild species, principles and rules for the systematic recording of biodiversity and an overview of the most important biodiversity monitoring programmes in Switzerland. The identification of species and the systematic recording of biodiversity is practised independently in three practical sessions.
At the end of the course, students are able to recognise a total of around 500 given species from the groups of plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects/invertebrates.
Recommended literature see here.
→ EEE 318 (former BIO 309): Blockcourse Aquatic Ecology (12 ECTS)
Module Coordinator and course leader: Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt.
The course takes place in the 1st and 2nd quarter of every fall semester and is offered together with ETHZ (701-2437-01L, Dr. Anita Narwani responsible for ETHZ students) and takes place at Eawag in Dübendorf. UZH and ETHZ BIO students register here.
The course combines Limnology with Ecological and Evolutionary concepts. It contains a lecture part, an experimental part, two extensive determination courses as well as mandatory excursions. One of these excursions is a 3-days excursion (with overnight stays) to a highly diverse aquatic ecosystem (Glatt near Uzwil, SG). The lecture part covers aquatic organisms in lakes, rivers, and streams. After this course you will know the most important aquatic invertebrates and algae in Switzerland and the most important identification traits.
Educational objectives:
During this course you will get an overview of the world’s typical continental aquatic ecosystems. After this course you will be able
- to describe how aquatic organisms have adapted to their habitat, and how the interactions (e.g. food web) between organisms work.
- to explain the principles of doing research to observe interrelations in aquatic ecosystems.
- to measure and interpret biological and physical data (e.g. during experiments, field work) and present the collected knowledge.
The course puts a strong focus on acquiring identification skills, and after this course you will be able to define the most important aquatic species groups (macroinvertebrates, micro-invertebrates and algae) in Switzerland and know their most important identification traits.
→ EEE353 (former UWW210): “Field Course in Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring” (2 ECTS) (Elm 17 to 22 August 2025)
Module Coordinator and course leader: Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt; the course is offered together with Prof. Dr. Owen Petchey.
The course is primarily open for UZH EEE, UWW, BIO, and ESS students (ideally at Fachstudium-level; EEE also at Grundstudium). A flyer and a detailed course description can be downloaded as pdf.
Educational objectives:
By the end of the module, students
- are able to plan, conduct and present small research projects on current topics in Ecology and Biodiversity sciences
- know and have applied different field techniques to monitor biodiversity of different taxa (such as terrestrial insects, vascular plants, aquatic invertebrates)
- are familiar with the most important aspects of planning and conducting biodiversity monitoring
- have a first overview on the faunistics and identification of a few major taxonomic organismal groups (such as plants, butterflies, aquatic invertebrates)
→ EEE225: “Exkursionen zur Biodiversität zwischen Wasser und Land” (1 ECT) (23.4. and 14.5. 2025)
Course leaders and lecturers: Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt and Dr. Roman Alther
Two excursions (in German) to explore aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Exkursion 1: Kleingewässer im Wald, Landwirtschaftsland und Siedlungsgebiet (Mittwoch 23. April 2025; Exkursionsleitung Dr. Roman Alther); Treffpunkt: Bahnhof Stettbach (individuelle Anreise, Rückreise ab Bahnhof Wallisellen), 10:00–16:00. Diese Exkursion am Nordrand der Stadt Zürich führt durch ein Siedlungs- und Gewerbegebiet, das im letzten Jahrhundert stark urbanisiert und verdichtet wurde. Der Streifzug durch dieses Agglomerationsgebiet beginnt im Wald, wo Sie ein typisches Kleingewässer des Schweizer Mittellandes kennenlernen. Im urban geprägten Gebiet lernen Sie die Nutzungskonflikte an der Schnittstelle zwischen Wasser und Land sowie verschiedene Elemente der blau-grünen Infrastruktur kennen.
Exkursion 2: Seeufer und Verlandungszonen im Mittelland (Mittwoch 14. Mai 2025; Exkursionsleitung Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt); Treffpunkt: Bahnhof Aathal (individuelle Anreise, Rückreise ab Bahnhof Pfäffikon ZH), 09:45–16:00.Diese Exkursion führt um den Pfäffikersee im Zürcher Oberland. Die Landschaft ist durch die Verlandung eines nacheiszeitlichen Sees entstanden. Sie ist ein Hotspot der Biodiversität und eine der artenreichsten Seeufer- und Moorlandschaften des Mittellandes, mit einer spezialisierten Fauna und Flora. Auf der Exkursion begehen Sie die typischen Lebensräume von verlandenden Seen im Schweizer Mittelland, wie Schilfröhricht, Flach- und Hochmoore, Feuchtwiesen und Bruchwälder.
Lernziele:
- Sie kennen die Funktionsweise wichtiger aquatischer und terrestrischer Lebensräume, deren Verknüpfung und Biodiversität.
- Sie verstehen den Einfluss der Landnutzung auf Lebensräume und Gewässerqualität.
- Sie können verschiedene Organismen (Pflanzen, Gewässerinsekten), die für die besuchten Lebensräume typisch sind, ansprechen.
Course materials: Altermatt F, Güsewell S & Holderegger R. 2024. Biodiversität zwischen Wasser und Land: Exkursionen zu Gewässern, Mooren und Auen der Schweiz. Haupt Verlag, Bern. (Einleitung sowie Kapitel 3, 4 und 5)
→ EEE 356 (former BIO 307): Field course “Microbial ecology of alpine freshwater systems” (4 ECTS)
Course organizer, course leader and contact person: Dr. Andreas Bruder (SUPSI). Module Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt.
The course teaches basic practical techniques to study the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology of periphyton and fungal communities in alpine streams. Seminars will provide the background knowledge into taxonomy, ecology, molecular techniques and ecological applications. Periphyton includes communities of microscopic algae and cyanobacteria growing on various substrates. A very diverse group which performs important ecosystem functions as primary producers. Freshwater fungi are a diverse community of microscopic fungi developing in dead organic matter and performing important ecosystem functions as decomposers.
The 1-week field course takes place in the first half of August (4th to 9th August 2024). Registration and more information can be found here.
Educational objectives:
The students learn basic techniques to study the taxonomy and ecology of both organism groups through practical work and to the ecological background and applications through seminars:
- Fieldwork: techniques for sampling periphyton and fungi from various streams and lakes of Val Piora and for the physicochemical characterization of the sampling sites.
- Labwork: sample preparation, microscopic identification, working with dichotomous keys for both organism groups. Standard DNA-sequencing techniques are not part of the course.
- Data analysis: interpretation of diversity and community composition with knowledge of the physicochemical conditions of the streams and lakes, and of the scientific literature.
- Seminars: introduction to the diversity and ecology of periphyton and fungi in streams and lakes. Introduction to molecular techniques and their use in taxonomic studies and ecological applications.
→ EEE 362 (former BIO 337) Freshwater environmental and ecosystem modelling (3 ECTS)
This course is led by Dr. Luca Carraro (independent Ambizione fellow in the Altermatt lab). Fall Semester, Tuesday 8–10 am at UZH.
The course provides students with concepts and tools to understand and model environmental and ecological processes in freshwater systems. Specifically, the course deals with spatial and mechanistic mathematical models that integrate physical and biological aspects in order to provide a holistic picture of freshwater ecosystem dynamics. While the main focus of the course is on freshwater ecosystems (especially on riverine networks), the concepts and tools presented are also relevant to general theoretical ecology and landscape ecology. It is organized around lectures complemented by modelling applications.
Requirements: For advanced Bachelor and Master students, specifically targeting both BIO and ESS students.
A sufficient background in mathematics and programming (R language) is required, and involves successful completion of courses MAT182, MAT183, PHY117 or PHY118, and BIO134 or BIO144.
→ BIO 520 Master in Ecology and UWW MSc project (Master thesis and Integrated knowledge in Ecology)
The Altermatt lab offers MSc projects for BIO and UWW students from University of Zurich at a regular basis. Besides a standing list of possible project themes we are open for further projects that fit in the general framework and interest of the group. Most projects use a combination of conceptual, empirical and statistical approaches, and a solid background in quantitative sciences is required. When interested in doing a BIO or UWW MSc project/thesis in the Altermatt lab, contact Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt in due time (ideally about 6–9 months ahead), sending him a short letter of motivation, an updated CV and an excerpt of your past credits and grades received in your studies.
→ BIO 357 Research Internship in Ecology (4 ETCS)
The Research Internship in Ecology gives students the opportunity to carry out a small project in an active research group, and the Altermatt lab offers such projects on a regular basis. Availability and project details as well as method of assessment are directly negotiated with Prof. Dr. Florian Altermatt.