Information for future students

Are you a person who sets things going? Then the Department of Environmental Systems Science is the place to be!

Why Agricultural Science

World population is growing: seven million people now live on the Earth and in 2050 there will be 9.2 million. At the same time, more and more agricultural land is lost and over 800 million people live with hunger. Agricultural sciences rise to these challenges and provide the scientific basis for the development of agriculture within the world food system for global food production. Their findings have a direct impact on the economy and politics - both nationally and internationally.

With a degree in agricultural science you choose an education that teaches all elements of the world food system, from the molecular to the socio-economic level, and allows you to apply your knowledge worldwide for the sustainable use and processing of natural resources.

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Why Environmental Sciences

The world faces enormous environmental problems. Most of these – including climate change, soil degradation, contamination of fresh and salt water, loss of biodiversity and environmentally related diseases – are a direct result of human activities that place excessive pressure upon environmental systems. As a result, the natural resources and ecosystem services that will provide the life support systems for future generations are increasingly endangered.

The aim of the bachelor and master programmes in environmental sciences at ETH is to convey an understanding of how the natural environment works and how humans influence and interact with environmental processes. Students learn to analyse environmental problems scientifically and to develop, evaluate and implement solutions. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches that encompass the natural sciences and technology, social sciences and the humanities. Developing social competence and communication skills is also considered important. Learning to think and work in an integrated, system-oriented way provides graduates with excellent career prospects, not only in environmental fields but in other areas requiring complex problem solving.

Information on the study programme [PDF] | Occupational fields | Information for school teachers: Gabrielle Attinger