Chemistry / Chemical and Bioengineering

专业详情

Our environment consists of a vast variety of molecules. The molecular sciences research their structure and their formation in nature. However, they also deal with the products and chemical processes in our industrial society, from the manufacture of a drug to environmental techno logy processes.

Professional training in the molecular sciences is very diverse, but it has a common basis. Therefore the two programmes available at ETH offer combined teaching in the fundamentals of science during the first two years of study. The aim of this is for students to acquire the basic scientific knowledge necessary to acquaint them with various fields of activity. From the third year onwards training diverges, as described below.

Educational objective and career profiles

Chemistry  – understanding and creating molecules

Chemistry deals with the fascinating world of molecules. During their studies, chemists gain the knowledge and skills to research, under-​stand and describe the properties and behaviour of molecules. They also learn the methods and strategies for producing new molecules with desired characteristics.

Research is therefore one of the most important areas of activity in chemistry, particularly in the context of developing new substances and synthetic procedures. Further fields include chemical analysis, environmental protection and safety, patents and documentation. Graduates work at universities, in private and state-​owned laboratories, at research institutes and in the chemical industry, but are also sought after in other sectors of industry, public services, the health service, administration and education.

Chemical and Bioengineering – from molecules to products

In our modern society, there is hardly a product which is not at least partly made from industrially manufactured chemical substances or chemically altered raw materials. One of the main tasks of chemical and bioengineering personnel is to develop and implement the necessary transformation processes at an industrial level, always taking into account economic efficiency and ecological sustainability.

Chemical engineers are active in the areas of process development and production. They generally work where materials are produced, processed and refined, mainly in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, but also in other process industries such as metal and machines, electronics, foodstuffs, textiles and synthetics.

The degree programme

Common first and second years of the Bachelor’s degree programme 

The first two years provide basic knowledge in the core subjects of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, plus basic training in mathematics, physics, computer science and biology. Laboratory work is of great importance: here students familiarise themselves with experimental work and apply theoretical knowledge taught in the lectures to practical problems.

Third year of the Bachelor’s degree programme and Master’s degree programme in Chemistry

The third year of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Chemistry includes compulsory lectures in the core subject areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, plus a wide range of electives.

The Master’s degree programme, which is usually three semesters long, comprises compulsory lectures in the core subject areas described above, plus a comprehensive range of electives. Practical training in industry or in the laboratory, project work and a five-​month Master’s thesis project familiarise students with research work based on current topics.

Third year of the Bachelor’s degree programme and Master’s degree programme in Chemical and Bioengineering

In the third year of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Chemical Engineering, students acquire the knowledge in the engineering disciplines necessary for planning, developing and optimising industrial processes for the economic and ecological production of chemical products. The theoretical courses are supplemented by a practical course and case studies in which students deal thoroughly with aspects of planning, modelling and simulating chemical processes.

The Master’s degree programme in Chemical and Bioengineering, which usually lasts for three semesters, includes compulsory lectures in the core subject areas of biochemical engineering, products and materials, process design, catalysis and separation, plus a range of electives. Case studies, project work or an industrial placement and a five-​month Master’s thesis project familiarise students with research work on current topics.

A transfer from one Bachelor’s degree programme to the other is possible without any additional requirements during or after completion of the first two years of the programme.

Most Master’s graduates in these disciplines progress to a doctoral programme after their Master’s degree as preparation for an academic career.

Chemistry

Bachelor’s degree programme (180 credits)

General basic courses:
Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.
Further lectures:
Analytic, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry
Electives, laboratory courses

For detailed information go to the pages in German Chemie