Curriculum Structure as per Study Regulation 2002

At first, the Bachelor's program follows a prescribed syllabus, but by the end of the program, students may choose their elective courses.

The Bachelor's program is designed for full time students. The standard period of study is 3 years, during which the student obtains 180 ECTS credits.
The request for conferral of the Bachelor's degree must be turned in within five years from enrollment in the program.

 

The following information is for students who started before 2010 with their BSc studies and didn't change to Reglement 2010 later:

 

Elective Courses
Focused Studies
Bachelor's Thesis
Workshop Training
Engineering Tools
Laboratory Practice
Humanities, Social and Political Sciences

 

Elective Courses

These courses expand on and broaden the students’ theoretical and methodological knowledge. According to the Regulation a minimum of seven courses must be taken, corresponding to 21 credit points. It is suggested that four courses be taken during the 4th semester and three during the 5th semester.

The following courses are available during the spring semester:

• Numerical Mathematics
• Manufacturing Science
• Introduction to Chemical Engineering
• Dimensioning II
• Control Systems II
• Computational Engineering
  
• Introduction for Quantum Mechanics for Engineers

The following courses are available during the fall semester:

• Signals and Systems
• Mass Transfer
• Stochastics
• System Modeling
• Introduction to Process Engineering
• Managerial Economics
• Electrical Engineering II

Please find all elective courses, related to the focus, here.
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Focused Studies

The focused study is intended to allow students to deepen their knowledge in a specific area of mechanical engineering. It is undertaken over a period of two semesters, normally in the third year of study. The student chooses either a focus specialization or the focus project. Both are equivalent in value and yield 20 CPs.

The area of focus specialization and that of the master's program do not have to coincide, although it is strongly recommended that this be the case.

Focus Specialization

This in-depth focused study is subject-bound and mainly course-based. Some focus specializations include other components (such as team-work, presentations, laboratory work, etc.).

The core courses in the focus specializations are mandatory. The electives can be chosen in agreement with the focus coordinator. A coordinator may allow a student to include in his/her focus program one or several “non-focus” courses (i.e. courses that are not listed under the focus study in the ETH course catalogue); this agreement must be in writing. When turning in the diploma request, the student will be asked to produce proof of the coordinator's consent (signature).

It should be noted that focus coordinators recommend certain elective courses to supplement their focus programs (see link to the right).

At least one of the components of a focus area can be chosen by the student. If, in agreement with the focus coordinator, a course has been chosen that is not under the focus subject in the course catalogue, the credit points for this course will appear on the transcript as "performance assessment without category."

Request for a change of category: For such credit points to appear in the category "focus", the student needs to submit a "request for change of category" to the D-MAVT student administration. He/she should printout the transcript and submit it to the focus coordinator for his signature. By signing it, the focus coordinator confirms his agreement to the choice of subject(s). Upon receipt of this confirmation, the student administration will move the credit points as requested.

 

Specialization areas:

• Biomedical Engineering (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. R. Müller (presentation April 2011 (PDF) (German))

• Energy, Flows & Processes (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ph. Rudolf von Rohr (presentation April 2011 (PDF) (German))

• Management, Technology, and Economics (PDF) (German): Coordinator: A. Schneider und Prof. P. Egger (presentation April 2011 (PDF))
  

• Manufacturing Science (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. Dr. K. Wegener (presentation April 2011 (PDF) (German))

• Mechatronics (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. Dr. B. Nelson (presentation April 2011 (PDF))
  

• Microsystems and Nanotechnology (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ch. Hierold (presentation April 2011 (PDF))
  

• Structure Mechanics (PDF) (German): Coordinator: Prof. Dr. P. Ermanni

Focus Project

The focus project provides an opportunity for project-based learning. Students work in teams to conceptualize, design, develop, and construct an object. The necessary knowledge is acquired through self-study, course attendance, consultation with professors, etc. Each year, at least one focus project is offered, and the teams (consisting of 4-8 students) all complete the same project.

The topic of the project will be chosen using predetermined criteria from innovative proposals originating from research industry and from members of the steering committee.

A Professor is responsible for the focus project and will be supported by a coach (assistant) and the steering committee.

 

Information about Events:

Rollout Focus projects 2012: Information about Projects

Focus Projects 2011/2012 - Presentations of the Inforday April 2011

Rollout Focus projects 2011: ETH life - Article

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Bachelor's Thesis

The possible subjects for Bachelor's theses are published by the D-MAVT chairs, or they can be arranged between the professors and the students. Thesis projects in cooperation with industry are also acceptable. The Bachelor's thesis should deepen the knowledge acquired in the engineering fundamentals courses and the focused study curriculum.

The supervisor is responsible for defining the conditions of the thesis. The selection of the subject and/or supervisor is left to the student (see course catalogue), i.e. there is no obligation to connect the thesis with the focused study.

The Bachelor's thesis is the culmination of the program and should develop and demonstrate independent, methodological abilities, as well as provide students with their first research experience. It is written during the sixth semester, and students are required to submit a written report and give an oral presentation.

Successful completion of the Bachelor thesis is worth 15 credit points.

 

Potential supervisors for the thesis (151-0001-00L):

• All D-MAVT professors
• Professors in other departments that are accredited at D-MAVT

Potential supervisors for the thesis (151-0071-00L):

• All D-MTEC professors
  

 

Plagiarism:

• ETH Zürich - Plagiarism
• "Citation etiquette" - plagiarism information sheet
• Declaration of originality

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Workshop Training

Information regarding the Workshop Training can be found here.

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Engineering Tools

Engineering tools are computer-aided engineering methods introduced during afternoon courses the first week of the semester.

 

The following engineering tools are mandatory:

2nd Semester: Engineering Tool I: Computer-based Mathematics
3rd Semester: Engineering Tool II: Introduction to MATLAB
4th Semester: Engineering Tool III: FEM Programs

 

The students of the 5th and 6th semester must select one engineering tool course for each semester from the ETH course catalogue. Please register here (German) for Engineering Tools courses in the 5th and 6th semester. Be aware that the registration procedure is different from other courses.

Participation in totally 5 engineering tool courses is worth 5 credit points, respectively 1 credit for each engineering tool course.

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Laboratory Practice

This course teaches measuring methods and appropriate equipment, and their practical use in research.

During fall and spring semester, students are offered a choice of laboratory trainings. At least eleven of these must be attended, and five must be Physics laboratories. Normally, one training requires an afternoon.

Please note, that training units are posted at short notice on the D-MAVT Webpage. Online registration takes place during the first week of the fall and spring semester. Please register here.

Detailed information about the Physics laboratory training can be found in the Information sheet (PDF) (German) and in the instructions regarding Reports (PDF) (German).

All laboratory work under this heading is graded "pass" or "fail". After completion of eleven laboratory training units, 4 credit points will be issued.

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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences

During their bachelor's studies, students are required to choose compulsory electives from human, social, and political sciences (D-GESS). The purpose of these GESS courses is to enhance the students' ability to position their engineering knowledge within a broader community and world context.

Participation in GESS courses can occur during semesters 1 through 6; however, they are generally attended during the fifth and sixth semesters. Information on these courses is under Compulsory Electives GESS on the right.

Student performance is usually assessed by examinations. 6 credit points must be obtained in this category.

Please find following more information:

• Directive about GESS Compulsory Electives (PDF)
  

• Department GESS

• GESS Compulsory Electives