ETH Zürich Master Programmes
Invest your genius
Campus Hönggerberg, a few minutes from downtown Zurich, is ETH Zurich’s “Science City”, home to the architecture, construction and natural science departments.
The historic main building is right in the centre of vibrant Zurich. ETH Zurich shares many facilities with next-door neighbour University of Zurich.
This is ETH Zurich Y 14 000 students Y 370 professors Y 3 900 other teaching and research staff Y 2 campuses Y 21 Nobel Prizes Y 136 labs Y 27% international students Y 90 nationalities Y 36 languages
Explore ETH Zurich: www.ethz.ch
ETH Zurich Y over 150 years of excellence in science and engineering Y pushing the forefronts of scientific knowledge Y teaching based on leading-edge research Y global outlook Y international graduate programmes
An international flagship of education and research in science and engineering ETH Zurich – the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich – is long recognized as a global leader in research and education. Excellent conditions for learning and research, state-of-the-art facilities and an attractive urban environment provide an ideal setting for some of the brightest minds in Europe. ETH Zurich is academic home to 18000 students, researchers, faculty and staff members. Broad range of programmes ETH Zurich offers graduate programmes in the fields of construction sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, earth, environment and natural resources, and management and social sciences. The degree structure is internationally compatible with three-year Bachelor programmes, followed by Master programmes of one and a half or two years’ duration. There is a Master programme corresponding to each of the twenty-two Bachelor programmes. In addition, specialized Master programmes offer the opportunity to focus on interdisciplinary or emerging subject fields. Master graduates wishing to pursue a career in research can continue in doctoral programmes lasting between three and four years.
Close links to research
The Master programmes at ETH Zurich are closely linked to research. Teaching takes place in small groups. Semester projects and the Master thesis introduce graduate students to independent research work, offering the possibility to work in research teams. All Masters require a number of elective courses in the humanities, social or political sciences. ETH graduates have the broad education needed to master tomorrow’s challenges.
Global outlook
Sixty percent of ETH professors and more than half of all doctoral students come from outside of Switzerland – this is 90 nationalities under one roof. This global perspective is characteristic of the academic experience at ETH Zurich.
Ranked among the best
For over 150 years, ETH Zurich has been a touchstone for science and engineering leaders. The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions worldwide for its unparalleled research and education. Twenty-one Nobel laureates, from Wilhelm Konrad Röntgen (1901) and Albert Einstein (1921) to Kurt Wüthrich (2002) have been associated with ETH Zurich over the years.
See ETH inside: www.ethlife.etzh.ch www.master.ethz.ch
The academic sports association ASVZ offers facilities for over 70 forms of sports and wellness.
You’ll find it all at ETH Zurich Y state-of-the-art labs Y excellent teaching Y close contacts with industry Y attractive career prospects Y world-wide alumni network Y fantastic sports and wellness facilities Y a wealth of entertainment and culture
The library at ETH Zurich is a globally connected information centre for science and technology.
First-class facilities for a first-class education
At ETH Zurich you benefit from first-class facilities, ranging from modern laboratories and great library resources to state-of-the-art computing infrastructure. The university’s two locations provide an excellent learning and research environment: in the centre of Zurich, and at Hönggerberg – a natural setting a few minutes from downtown. ETH Zurich’s Master programmes are taught in small groups. You work closely with your professors and have access to the support and guidance you need. To prepare for life after graduation, the Career Services are on hand to assist you in the transition to your chosen career path. The ETH Alumni association provides a dynamic means to stay connected to the global community of ETH Zurich graduates.
For brain, body and soul
But a student’s life is not all study. A broad range of sports, culture and leisure activities offer a welcome complement to everyday academic life. You can benefit from the services of Europe’s largest academic sports facilities, get involved in one of the many student associations or sign up to sing or play in one of the numerous music groups. Many student facilities are shared with the University of Zurich. Located in the intimate, international city of Zurich, the ETH Zurich community enjoys a rich cultural life, a vibrant party scene and great outdoors. Zurich combines a wellpreserved Old Town with a modern life style, catering to all tastes and needs. It is also a compact, clean and safe city with a well-functioning public transport system. So whether you want to explore the nearby Alps, one of Switzerland‘s four language regions or a neighbouring country, it’s all within easy reach.
The Master programmes at ETH Zurich are closely linked to research. Teaching takes place in small groups.
Semester projects and the Master thesis give you the possibility to work in research teams.
Overview Y Master Programmes 2009/2010 Engineering Sciences Y Biomedical Engineering EN Majors: Bioimaging; Bioinstrumentation and Signal Processing; Biomechanics; Molecular Bioengineering Y Computational Biology and Bioinformatics EN Specialized Master with personal curriculum under the guidance of a mentor Y Computer Science EN Specializations: Theory of Computing; Information Systems; Distributed Systems; Visual Computing; Information Security; Software Engineering; Computational Science Y Electrical Engineering and Information Technology EN Specializations: Communication; Computers and Networks; Micro- and Optoelectronics; Electric Power Systems and Mechatronics; Biomedical Engineering Y Energy Science and Technology EN Specialized Master with tutor-based individualized curriculum Y Materials Science EN Specializations: Materials Creation; Materials Analysis and Properties; Materials Modeling and Simulation; Molecular Bioengineering; Nanoscience and Technology; Materials and Economics; Molecular Bioengineering and Biomaterials (joint major with EPFL) Y Mechanical Engineering EN Tutor-based programme with individualized curriculum Y Micro and Nanosystems EN
Y Nuclear Engineering EN (joint Master with EPFL) Y Process Engineering EN Tutor-based programme with individualized curriculum
Architecture, Construction and Geomatics Y Architecture DE Y Civil Engineering DE/EN Specializations: Construction Engineering and Management; Geotechnical Engineering; Structural Engineering; Transport Systems; Hydraulic Engineering; Building Materials Y Environmental Engineering EN/DE
S pecializations: Water Resources Management; Urban Water Management; Ecological Systems Design and Waste Management; Hydraulic Engineering; Soil Conservation
Y Geomatic Engineering and Planning DE/EN S pecializations: Geodetic Metrology and Satellite Geodesy; Navigation and Geodynamics; Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing; Geoinformation Systems and Cartography; Spatial Development; Environmental Planning Y Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems DE/EN Specializations: Transport Planning; Traffic Systems; Spatial Development; Environmental Planning
Specialized Master with tutor-based individualized curriculum
Language of instruction EN Programmes taught in English. EN/DE Programmes offering the choice of coursework in English or German. It is possible to complete the programme using English only, but some electives may be taught in German. DE/EN Programmes taught in German and English, knowledge of German is required.
All Master programmes require a number of elective courses in the humanities, social or political sciences. ETH graduates have the broad education needed to master tomorrow’s challenges.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Earth, Environment, Natural Resources
Y Biology EN Majors: Ecology and Evolution; Neurosciences; Microbiology and Immunology; Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Plant Biology; Systems Biology; Structural Biology and Biophysics; Biological Chemistry
Y Agroecosystem Science DE/EN Majors: Animal Science; Crop Science; Food and Resource Economics
Y Biotechnology EN
Y Chemical and Bioengineering EN
Y Atmospheric and Climate Science EN
Y Chemistry EN
Y Earth Sciences EN Majors: Geology and Geochemistry; Engineering Geology; Geophysics; Geoscience (joint major with the University of Zurich) EN/DE
Y Computational Science and Engineering EN Y Human Movement Sciences DE/EN Majors: Theory of Movement and Training; Biomechanics; Exercise Physiology Y Interdisciplinary Sciences EN/DE Y Mathematics/Applied Mathematics EN
Y Applied Geophysics EN
(Joint Master with Delft University of Technology and RWTH Aachen University)
Y Environmental Sciences EN Majors: Atmosphere and Climate; Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics; Ecology and Evolution; Human-Environment Systems; Forest and Landscape Management Y Food Science EN/DE Majors: Food Processing; Food Quality and Safety; Nutrition and Health
Y Medicinal and Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences EN Y Neural Systems and Computation EN
Management and Social Sciences
Y Pharmaceutical Sciences DE
Y Comparative and International Studies EN
Y Physics DE/EN
Y History and Philosophy of Knowledge DE/EN
Y Statistics EN Majors: Applied Statistics; Biostatistics; Statistical Methodology
Y Management, Technology and Economics EN
Individual course information: www.courses.ethz.ch Detailed information about all Master programmes: www.master.ethz.ch
How to apply Y admission Y tuition fees Y scholarships Y visa Y housing
Good to know before you apply How to apply
Requirement for admission to the Master programmes at ETH Zurich is the equivalent of an ETH Bachelor degree from a recognized university. If your degree only partially corresponds to an ETH Bachelor, you may be admitted with the additional requirement to complete up to 60 credits (two semesters) from the corresponding Bachelor programme. ETH Zurich handles graduate applications online. The deadline for submission is 15 March for entry into the Autumn Semester (beginning mid-September), and 30 September for entry into the Spring Semester (beginning in March) or into the Autumn Semester a year later. You can use this latter admission period if you need an early admissions decision, for example, when applying for a scholarship. Y www.admission.ethz.ch/master
Academic year
ETH Zurich‘s academic year is divided into two semesters: the Autumn Semester from mid-September up to the Christmas/New Year break, and the Spring Semester from mid-February to the end of May. The academic year begins in September, but in most programmes you can begin your studies in either the Autumn or Spring Semester.
Fees and cost of living
Education at ETH Zurich is funded by the government, which means that all students – Swiss and foreign – pay the same modest tuition fees. The current tuition and student fees are 644 Swiss francs (CHF) per semester. Living costs – including accommodation, food, health insurance, local transport – average 1700–1800 CHF per month. Under its Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme, ETH Zurich offers scholarships for outstanding students. Some graduate programmes also offer financial support. Further information is available from the Scholarship Office. Y www.master.ethz.ch
Visa, insurance, housing
International students from outside the European Union and EFTA countries need a valid visa and residence permit to study in Switzerland. Once your application for admission has been approved, the International Student Support of ETH Zurich‘s Rectorate can help you with advise and guidance for the immigration formalities. You can also receive support in other practical matters, such as finding accommodation, advise with health insurance or opening a bank account. Y www.master.ethz.ch
1 Swiss franc (CHF) = approx. 0.98 US dollars or 0.63 euro (March 2008)
Be it fitness, adventure or top-level sport – Zurich has something for every sports enthusiast’s taste.
There’s more to Zurich than ETH Y 377 000 people Y one lake Y 2 rivers Y 1 100 fresh-water fountains Y 2052 restaurants and bars Y 57 museums and 32 theatres Y 2 football clubs Y 10 minutes to the airport Y 100 km to the snowy Alps
Lake Zurich, the river Limmat and the majestic snow-capped Alps are among the factors that make life in Zurich so pleasant.
See Zurich from different angles: www.swissinfo.org/en www.zuerich.com zuerich.usgang.ch
The city of Zurich is a very enjoyable and liveable place to study...
Your career starts right here ETH Zurich is the starting point for many of today’s leaders in business, industry, science and academia. Whether it is a Master’s degree in engineering, a doctorate in the sciences or a professional certificate in management, an ETH qualification provides a solid foundation for your career. At ETH Zurich you learn how to master complexity and gain the flexibility you need to apply your knowledge in today’s and tomorrow’s professional life. Here are just a few examples of ETH Zurich graduates and what they have made of their career. Urs Hölzle Y Diploma in computer science 1988. Senior Vice-President, Google Carol Simpson Y Doctorate in structural geology 1981. Provost & Senior Vice President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Niklaus Wirth Y Diploma in electrical engineering 1959. Creator of the programming languages Pascal, Modula-2 and Oberon Qidi Wu Y Doctorate in automatic control 1985. Deputy minister of education, People’s Republic of China
...and international graduate programmes are the foundation
for many valuable life-long personal networks...
...but the best reason to choose ETH Zurich is the-qualification it gives you for your future professional career.
Invest your genius Y www.master.ethz.ch
Published by ETH Zurich Edited by Anders Hagström Design inform.ag Photos Christian Aeberhard Andreas Hafner Dominique Meienberg Rolf Philipona Esther Ramseier Norbert Staub Printed by Casanova Druck und Verlag AG Print run 3000 April 2008
ETH Zurich Rämistrasse 101 CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland Phone +41 44 632 1111
Y www.ethz.ch