Bachelor Computational Science and Engineering

Educational objective and career profile

Computational Science and Engineering differs from Computer Science. It also differs from traditional natural and engineering sciences, offering a third component in addition to theory and experiment. Computational Science and Engineering is interdisciplinary, application-oriented, focuses on problem-solving and is essentially based on the use of the computer.

Graduates of the CSE programme understand a problem from the scientific and technological point of view, and they have the skills necessary to perform a computer-based analysis of a problem. They can communicate with specialists in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering sciences and computer science in their languages, and work with them to find computer-based solutions to difficult practical problems. Accordingly, their field of activity lies in research and development in the industrial and university sectors.

Bachelor's degree programme (180 credits)

The Bachelor’s degree programme comprises three years of study, but it is possible to complete the first year in another degree programme at ETH Zurich or another university.

During the first year, students are taught the fundamentals of mathematics, physics and computer science. During the second year, in addition to a deepening in the fundamentals of mathematics and computer science, they are instructed in the basics of the natural sciences and engineering.

In the third year, students study two compulsory core subjects, as well as one (small) specialisation (see below). Electives, case studies and a Bachelor’s thesis conclude the degree programme.

First year:
Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science
(or first year completed in another degree programme, except Architecture, Materials Science and the Public Policy programme
[Professional Officer])
Basic courses from:
Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering and Natural Sciences
Core courses:
High Performance Computing, Machine Learning, Software Design
One field of specialisation selected from:
Astrophysics, Physics of the Atmosphere, Chemistry, Fluid Dynamics, Systems and Control, Robotics, Physics, Computational Finance, Electromagnetics, Geophysics, Biology
Electives, case studies, Bachelor’s thesis

For detailed information go to the pages in German Rechnergestützte Wissenschaften

Master's degree programme (90 credits)

The Master’s degree programme consists of two compulsory core subjects, one (major) field of specialisation from those listed for the Bachelor’s degree programme, electives, case studies, a semester paper and a six-month Master’s thesis project.

Core courses:
Advanced Numerical Methods for CSE, Computational Statistics, How to Write Fast Numerical Code
Field of specialisation (see Bachelor’s degree programme)
Electives, case studies, semester paper
Master’s thesis (6 months)

For detailed information see Master Computational Science and Engineering