Dr. David Bresch

Professor

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Biography

Professor David N. Bresch focuses on weather and climate risks and their impacts on socio-economic systems. His research combines numerical modeling of weather and climate risks with active engagement from decision makers and end users, aiming to explore ways to strengthen resilience based on a shared understanding of weather and climate susceptibility. He has held various roles at Swiss Re from 2000 to 2016, including Head of Business Development and Global Head of Sustainability, leading efforts in natural catastrophe risk assessment. He served as a Research Associate at MIT from 1998 to 1999 and was a member of the Swiss delegation to the UNFCCC between 2009 and 2012. Since 2014, he has contributed as a senior advisor for the Rockefeller Foundation and was a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group for the UN Green Climate Fund in 2015. Professor Bresch earned his PhD in physics from ETH Zurich.

Research Interests

Weather Risks Climate Risks Socio-economic Systems Numerical Modeling Decision Making Risk Assessment

Courses

Colloquium Atmosphere Climate 1 Colloquium Atmosphere Climate 2 Colloquium Atmosphere Climate 3 Risk Analysis Management Practical Course in Human Environment Systems Climate Change Uncertainty Risk: Probabilistic Forecasts Economics Climate Adaptation Module 1: Problem Space Module 2: Solution Space Policy-Making Practice

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.