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 possi-
bility 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 well-
preserved 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.
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
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.
Semester projects and the Master thesis give you the
possibility to work in research teams.
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 Manage-
ment; 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; Geoinformati-
on Systems and Cartography; Spatial Development; Environmental
Planning
Y Spatial Development and Infra­structure Systems DE/EN
Specializations: Transport Planning; Traffic Systems; Spatial Development;
Environmental Planning
 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 Y Agroecosystem Science DE/EN
Majors: Ecology and Evolution; Neurosciences; Microbiology and Majors: Animal Science; Crop Science; Food and Resource Economics
Immunology; Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Plant Biology; Systems Biology;
Structural Biology and Biophysics; Biological Chemistry Y Applied Geophysics EN
(Joint Master with Delft University of Technology and RWTH Aachen
Y Biotechnology EN University)

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;
Y Computational Science and Engineering EN Geoscience (joint major with the University of Zurich) EN/DE

Y Human Movement Sciences DE/EN Y Environmental Sciences EN

Majors: Theory of Movement and Training; Biomechanics; Majors: Atmosphere and Climate; Biogeochemistry and Pollution
Exercise Physiology Dynamics; Ecology and Evolution; Human-Environment Systems; Forest
and Landscape Management
Y Interdisciplinary Sciences EN/DE
Y Food Science EN/DE
Y Mathematics/Applied Mathematics EN 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 Y Management, Technology and Economics EN

Majors: Applied Statistics; Biostatistics; Statistical Methodology

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 dead-
line 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 Pro-
gramme, 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... ...and international graduate programmes are the foundation

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
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