In this field course, physical properties and exchange processes (methane, carbon dioxide) of snow and soil as determinants in high-altitude ecosystems are experimentally investigated. The students interpret the measurements and write a short research proposal based on the observations.

Snow is a fascinating high-temperature material and relevant for applications in glaciology, hydrology, atmospheric sciences, polar climatology, remote sensing and natural hazards. This course introduces key concepts and underlying physical principles of snow, ranging from individual crystals to polar ice sheets.