Elective Courses / Minors
Courses from the entire ETH course catalogue can be taken as elective courses to deepen or expand a module.
Elective courses that focus on a specific subject can also be combined to acquire a Minor (see below), which requires at least 10 credits.
Courses that are specifically recommended to supplement your curriculum and/or are part of a Minor can be found in the detailed list of recommended Elective Courses and Minors.
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 thermodynamics of glaciers, basic knowledge on glaciers and snow/avalanches for engineering applications, and knowledge on the role of the cryosphere in the climate system
Contact: Dr. Hanna Joos and please visit the VAW Glaciology site
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. With a deepened understanding of the energy sector and its dynamics students will be able to present the environment science point of view in a more differentiated manner. The minor is designed for students who plan to work in the energy sector. 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 successfully planning of renewable energy projects.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Christian Pohl
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.
Contact: Prof. Harald Bugmann
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 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 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
