Environmental science education at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)

In 1987 ETHZ, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, first offered a degree course in environmental sciences. The curriculum is based upon a comprehensive view of the environment and its systems. The first two years of the programme cover a multidisciplinary basic education in mathematics, natural and social sciences. For their advanced education in the fifth to nineth semesters the students select one of four science disciplines (Chemistry/Microbiology, Physics, Biology or Environmental Hygiene) and one of four environmental systems (Aquatic Systems, Atmosphere, Terrestrial Systems or Anthroposphere). The education in natural sciences is accompanied by a compulsory case study, which is implemented as a didactic tool to teach ecological problem-solving, and courses in environmental social sciences and environmental technology. During the professional practical training of about four months, students gain insight into the constraints of a professional environment. In the tenth semester a diploma project equivalent to a masterʹs thesis - is carried out.