General description

The main pillars when studying earth system science comprise the Department of Geography, the Institute of Environmental Studies, and the Department of Earth Sciences at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ). These three institutes create an ideal framework in order to comprehend the earth’s spheres along with their interactions while facilitating the required interdisciplinarity in education. Lectures on earth system science will be given at the MNF of the University in Zurich as well as the Department of Earth Sciences at the ETHZ. This cooperation provides for courses at international top level offered by outstanding members of the scientific research community.
Students will face up to an ambitious, scientific training based on essential mathematical, physical, and chemical principles. They will combine their affinity for the environment with their work in laboratories, in the field, and at the computer. It is furthermore an advantage to have the power of observation and a good spatial sense.

Admission requirements

The following academic degrees exempt the holder from having to pass any further examinations for admission to the a Master’s degree course:

• A Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich, whereby the Faculty determines which types of the Bachelor's degree are required for admission to the respective Master's degree courses.
  
• Corresponding degrees of Swiss and foreign universities which aregenerally recognized by the Faculty, or recognized by subject. In terms of paragraph 1, such degrees are reviewed according to the stipulations of § 3 of the Bologna guideline of the Swiss University Conference.
  

Further possibilities for admission to a Master’s degree course: the Faculty assesses all other qualifications, in particular those from universities of applied sciences, according to its own criteria, whereby. The principle of equal treatment applies to assessing the equivalence of Bachelor's degrees The Faculty can require the fulfillment of additional conditions in form of evidence of academic achievement. The Faculty decides about the acceptance of academic achievements and credit points which were obtained elsewhere.

Branch of studies

Earth Sciences, Geography

Educational goals

This Master's study program provides in-depth training regarding geo-biosphere, hydro-atmosphere and human-environment relations in order to obtain a deeper understanding of the Earth system along with its interactions and correlations between those systems. Students learn to apply theories, methods and approaches from certain fields in Earth System Sciences to problems in research and practice, and to critically classify and reflect on these. Students are able to defend a position on a scientific basis and to critically reflect on and defend their own research results within a scientific discussion.

Career possibilities

Due to their profound, scientific knowledge as well as their sound expertise, earth system scientists have the ability to analyze and comprehend interactions of different earth spheres. In order to prognosticate current as well as future states of this system, scientists use state-of-the-art methods and techniques when analyzing observations, experiments, statistics, and space on varying scales. Earth system scientists are often employed to perform complex tasks regarding problem solving or modeling in risk assessment or sustainable utilization of resources, for example. There are three different fields of activities for earth system scientists representing bright career opportunities.

• Science and Research
  
• Industry and Public Sector
  
• Teaching and Training
  

ECTS credits

90 ECTS Credits

Degree

Master of Science UZH in Earth System Science

Program structure

The master’s degree program comprises three semesters. These include the Master's dissertation and an internship, as well as compulsory and elective modules.

Part-time studies

Part-time study is possible, but not recommended and may not exceed the maximum duration of study. In special cases, an extension may be granted on application. The maximum duration of study is six semesters from the onset of studies. The standard period of study for the Master’s degree is four semesters. A precise plan for part-time study is essential and students are advised to discuss this in detail with the Academic Advisory Service.

Major/minor subject combinations

The Master's study program in Earth System Science 90 can be taken as a single major or be
combined with a minor study program 30 at Master's level.

Examination and assessment regulations

The student's achievement is assessed at the end of each module. Achievements are graded on a scale from 1 to 6, whereby 6 denotes the highest grade of achievement and 1 the lowest. A grade below 4 is insufficient.
Achievements can also be graded with 'passed' or 'failed'.

Language of instruction

English