Performance assessments

Credits are allocated after the performance assessment has been passed. A performance assessment not passed can be repeated once. Exams and the master thesis are rated with a grade between one (lowest) and six (highest). In order to pass, a grade of four must be achieved. Other performance assessments may also be rated with passed/not passed.

Forms of performance assessments

Performance assessments are in the form of exams, or of a semester performance. The course catalogue lists for each course the form and mode of the performance assessment. Exams are held in examination sessions during the last weeks of the semester breaks.

Admission to performance assessments

Admission to the performance assessments normally requires that the bachelor studies are completed. Exceptions are specified individually for the various categories below.

Core subjects

• Performance assessments in this category are in the form of exams.
• At least one exam must be taken in each of the three core subject areas «Inorganic Chemistry», «Organic Chemistry», and «Physical Chemistry».
• Students who do not pass an exam in a core subject in two attempts get one further chance with another core or compensatory subject offered in the same area.
• Students enrolled in the bachelor's program in chemistry of ETH are admitted to examinations in core and compensatory subjects of the master's program on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 credits in the category 'optional subjects' for their bachelor's diploma.
• Students who were admitted to the master's program with the requirement to acquire credits from the ETH bachelor's program are admitted to examinations in core and compensatory subjects on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 of the required credits.

Compulsory elective subjects

• Performance assessments in this category are in the form of exams.
• Students enrolled in the bachelor's program in chemistry of ETH are admitted to examinations in compulsory elective subjects of the master's program on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 credits in the category 'optional subjects' to obtain their bachelor's diploma.
• Students who were admitted to the master's program with the requirement to acquire credits from the corresponding ETH bachelor's program are admitted to examinations in compulsory elective subjects on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 of the required credits.
  

Laboratory courses and research projects

• Performance assessments in these categories are based on semester performance. The specific requirements to pass are published by the Department.
• Students enrolled in the bachelor's program in chemistry of ETH are admitted to laboratory courses and research projects of the master's program on condition that they have to acquire less than 60 credits for their bachelor's diploma. >> more
  

Master thesis

Details on the master thesis are laid down in the «Directives for Master Theses». The master thesis cannot be started before the bachelor's program in completed. >> more