Teaching areas & categories
Master study regulations 2017
Core courses broaden and deepen the core contents of the architectural disciplines in relation to the design studios.
It is mandatory to achieve 4 ECTS per institute:
GTA Institute of History and Theory of Architecture
4 ECTS
IDB Institute of Historic Building Research and Conservation
4 ECTS
LUS Institute for Landscape and Urban Studies
4 ECTS
ITA Institute of Technology in Architecture
4 ECTS
A minimum of 24 ECTS are required for the Master's degree. Mandatory core courses (typ O in the course catalogue) are offered every semester.
Transitional provisions
The Department may at any time make changes to the study regulations. During winter 2016/17, all students were advised of the last possibility to continue their studies in accordance with the Master's study regulations 2011 in the spring semester 2017.
Students who have not enrolled in the Master's programme in FS17, but who have already completed a wide range of courses under the Master's study regulations 2011, may have to expect that not all performance assessments can be accredited to the Master's Programme 2017.
Core courses, recognised to the Bachelor's degree (2011)
If core courses were completed and recognised to the Bachelor's degree (study regulations 2011) and therefore the minimum score can not be reached with the remaining core courses in one or more sub-categories, the department will define subjects, which can be considered as core courses. A reduction of the minimum required KP in the core courses is not possible.
Recognition of completed study achievements of MSc 2011
Already completed study achievements of the Master's degree programme 2011 during the Bachelor studies are recognised to the Master's degree, regulations 2017, as follows:
Electives
Recognition as electives.
Major courses with grades
Recognition as core courses, in the corresponding field of studies.
Major courses without grades
Recognition as electives.
Performance assessments
Additional, non-creditable performance assessments can be added to the supplement of the final academic record.
Special cases
Special cases require an individual assessment and clarification with the Study Administration Office or the Study Director.
Design studios
The design studios "Architectural Design V-IX" form a central component during the study time of the Master's degree programme. Other disciplines are integrated. The course units "Architectural design V-IX" are assessed with the assistance of the accompanying lecturers and are evaluated with a single grade.
The lecture series "Design and Construction" is an integral part of the design studios and the attendance is compulsory.
The assignment of the course units "Architectural design V-IX" in myStudies is only possible after allocation to the design studio at the end of the internal enrollment at the D-ARCH.
In order to achieve the number of ECTS requested (42 ECTS), one has four attempts in maximum in order to pass three course units "Architectural design V-IX".
Registering / deleting course registration in myStudies
The grading at the end of the semester is made exclusively on the basis of the list, showing the participants on the closing date (deadline: listed in the course catalogue VVZ). Registering or deleting the registration of the course unit is no longer permitted after this date.
A focus work can be written on a given or a self-selected theme in the field of architecture. Focus works are written in the respective areas of the institutes, the professors define the topics in consultation with the students. The contents of the paper can also refer to the content of an elective. They are presented in the form of a entirely written or designed, artisanal or drawing work, followed by an oral exam.
At least in one of the focus works, the performance assessment must take place in form of a entirely written work followed by an oral examination. In a formal point of view it must fulfill the criteria of a scientific work.
12 ECTS are required for the Master's degree.
As a supplement to the study plan, one-week seminar weeks are held in small seminar groups every semester. By way of examples of closely circumscribed subject-related questions, the understanding of the areas of knowledge and life in the surroundings of architecture is deepened.
The registration in myStudies is only possible after the allocation of the seminar week at the end of the internal enrollment at the D-ARCH.
An allocation by the internal enrollment is binding: students must participate in the seminar week! For all further questions and steps after the internal enrollment please do not contact the Student Administration Office, but
- leaders and lecturers of the seminar weeks
- Mrs Sibylle Novello (also in financial matters)
Insurance
Participating students must organize a sufficient health, accident, and transportation costs insurance. Since seminar weeks are mandatory courses, the participating students have to follow the instructions and requirements of the professors / lecturers.
1 seminar week (2 ECTS) is required for the Master's degree.
Safety and Security on Excursions in the Context of Courses
The new directive Study trips, field trips and excursions conducted by members of ETH Zurich in the framework of courses: Handling risks is coming into force as of the autumn semester 2017. It contains guidelines on safety and security precautions and responsibilities, as well as the decision-making proces.
The 10-week master's thesis is conclusing the education. It shows the ability of the students for independent design work and is the proof of the successful completion of the studies. It is headed by a professor of the D-ARCH.
Students are free to choose from one of the three topics provided by the department (field of construction, of architectural design or of urban planning). Qualified students may – in consultation with the chair – pursue a self-defined topic.
The Master's thesis is credited with 30 ECTS.
Master Study regulations 2011
The master's degree requires the proof of academic achievements in the following categories.
The minimum number of credit points required in each category are listed in Article 39 of the study regulations.
Design studios
The design studios "Architectural Design V-IX" form a central component during the study time of the Master's degree programme. Other disciplines are integrated. The course units "Architectural design V-IX" are assessed with the assistance of the accompanying lecturers and are evaluated with a single grade.
The lecture series "Design and Construction" is an integral part of the design studios and the attendance is compulsory.
The assignment of the course units "Architectural design V-IX" in myStudies is only possible after allocation to the design studio at the end of the internal enrollment at the D-ARCH.
In order to achieve the number of ECTS requested (42 ECTS), one has four attempts in maximum in order to pass three course units "Architectural design V-IX".
Integrated discipline planning
The subcategory "Integrated Discipline Planning" includes exercises on an urban scale that are an integral part of the design studio.
Students who have already credited an "Integrated Discipline Planning" in the bachelor's degree programme can also take into account another integrated discipline instead of "planning".
1 "Integrated Discipline Planning" (3 ECTS) is required for the Master's degree.
As a supplement to the study plan, one-week seminar weeks are held in small seminar groups every semester. By way of examples of closely circumscribed subject-related questions, the understanding of the areas of knowledge and life in the surroundings of architecture is deepened.
The registration in myStudies is only possible after the allocation of the seminar week at the end of the internal enrollment at the D-ARCH.
An allocation by the internal enrollment is binding: students must participate in the seminar week! For all further questions and steps after the internal enrollment please do not contact the Student Administration Office, but
- leaders and lecturers of the seminar weeks
- Mrs Sibylle Novello (also in financial matters)
Insurance
Participating students must organize a sufficient health, accident, and transportation costs insurance. Since seminar weeks are mandatory courses, the participating students have to follow the instructions and requirements of the professors / lecturers.
2 seminar weeks (4 ECTS) is required for the Master's degree.
Safety and Security on Excursions in the Context of Courses
The new directive Study trips, field trips and excursions conducted by members of ETH Zurich in the framework of courses: Handling risks is coming into force as of the autumn semester 2017. It contains guidelines on safety and security precautions and responsibilities, as well as the decision-making proces.
The 10-week master's thesis concludes the education. It shows the ability of the students for independent design work and is the proof of the successful completion of the studies. It is headed by a professor of the D-ARCH.
Students are free to choose from one of the three topics provided by the department (field of construction, of architectural design or of urban planning). Qualified students may – in consultation with the chair – pursue a self-defined topic.
The Master's thesis is credited with 33 ECTS.