Environmental science education at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)

In 1987 ETHZ, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, first offered a de gree course in environmental sciences. The curriculum is based upon a compr ehensive view of the environment and its systems. The first two years of th e programme cover a multidisciplinary basic education in mathematics, natur al and social sciences. For their advanced education in the fifth to nineth semesters the students select one of four science disciplines (Chemistry/M icrobiology, Physics, Biology or Environmental Hygiene) and one of four env ironmental systems (Aquatic Systems, Atmosphere, Terrestrial Systems or Ant hroposphere). The education in natural sciences is accompanied by a compuls ory case study, which is implemented as a didactic tool to teach ecological problem-solving, and courses in environmental social sciences and environm ental technology. During the professional practical training of about four months, students gain insight into the constraints of a professional enviro nment. In the tenth semester a diploma project equivalent to a master's the sis - is carried out.