General description

Crystallography is a decidedly interdisciplinary branch of science that deals with chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, mineralogy and solid-state physics. In particular, structural analysis using diffraction is an excellent method for determining the three-dimensional structure of molecules. It is used in various fields of research, but also for quality control in industry, e.g. in pharmaceutical companies.

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 are generally 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.

Educational goals

Students are able to...
1. understand and describe the fundamental principles of diffraction and of the internal organization of crystalline materials.
2. select the suitable analysis methods for a question on structure.
3. solve problems in relation to the structure determination of single crystals.
4. estimate and evaluate the properties of materials based on their underlying structure.
5. apply their knowledge of molecular design and synthesis.
6. understand and critically evaluate the literature on crystal structures and on examining other solid state structures.
7. use crystallographic databases for answering question on structure.
8. plan experiments on large research facilities such as synchrontrons and neutron sources.

ECTS credits

30 ECTS Credits

Program structure

The study program includes compulsory modules (13 ECTS Credits) in chemical crystallography, solid state chemistry, and protein crystallography. The remaining ECTS credits must be earned from the core elective and elective modules of the UZH and the ETH.

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

German, English