Electives and minors

In the Master’s degree programme in Environmental Sciences, students benefit from a wide range of electives. With an addition (minor), a further main focus can be set.

Electives

Irrespective of the selected major, 20 or more credits can be obtained in elective subjects chosen from the whole range offered by ETH and the University of Zurich. This enables students to broaden their studies based on their own individual interests.

Minors

By selecting one or two minors – with at least 10 credit points each – additional training priorities can be set. A minor subject consists of several courses. The Course Catalogue shows a list of the courses for each minor subject that are eligible for recognition.

The minor in Agricultural Plant Production and Environment aims to prepare students for interaction with experts from the agricultural sector. It conveys in-depth knowledge of important crops, grassland systems, plant production methods, cropping systems, and of interactions between agricultural plants and the environment. The learning targets are, depending on the selected courses, to become acquainted with the diversity of crops, to understand the mode of action of a wide range of pesticides and to get to know ways how to manage agricultural systems sustainably.

Contact: Prof. Achim Walter

The Minor in Catchment Management and Natural Hazards conveys a holistic view of watersheds and focuses on the analysis of the interactions between land use and geomorphological, atmospheric, hydrological, and biological processes. Students develop land use systems that counteract resource degradation and make the system more resilient. Lectures are held primarily in German.

(This Minor will be revised soon.)

Contact: Prof. Harald Bugmann

The minor in Environmental, Resource and Food Economics provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to address economic and socio-economic issues related to natural resource management with a focus on food. The minor consists of lectures and seminars on topics such as environmental, resource, agricultural and food economics, and agricultural policy. Knowledge in these areas will help students to work in interdisciplinary environments of the food and agricultural sector.

Contact: Dr. Robert Huber  

In the minor in Forest Engineering and Wood Products, the fascinating resource of wood is viewed in a multi-layered way. Students gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental interrelationships, which makes them competent experts in a complex of topics that is of central importance for the future bioeconomy. As a renewable and CO₂-storing resource, wood can replace less environmentally friendly materials in many areas of application. However, a strongly growing demand and its coverage must be in harmony with all elementary forest functions. This requires an integral approach across the entire value chain, starting with forest operations.

Contact: Prof. Ingo Bugert

The minor in Physical Glaciology provides comprehensive knowledge on components of the cryosphere with focus on the physical background and engineering applications.
Depending on the choice of courses, different foci are offered: Achieving knowledge on the physics of glaciers and numerical modelling of the thermomechanics of glaciers, basic knowledge on glaciers and snow/avalanches for engineering applications, and knowledge of the role of the cryosphere in the climate system.

Contact: Dr. Hanna Joos

The minor in Sustainable Energy Use introduces students to the production, distribution and consumption of energy. The minor is designed for students who plan to work in the energy sector. Since energy relates to all majors of environmental sciences, it can be recommended to all interested major students. The learning targets are, depending on the selected courses, to become acquainted with renewable energy production, storage and energy conservation, with the electricity market and the strategic positioning of renewable energies, or with the successful planning of renewable energy projects.

Contact: Prof. Christian Pohl

Contact

Dr. Susanne Lambrecht
  • CHN H 42.1
  • +41 44 633 60 82

Dep. Umweltsystemwissenschaften
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
Switzerland

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