Programme structure

The programme is designed for full-time students and can be completed within 1.5 years. The total number of 90 credits necessary to obtain the Master degree must be acquired within maximally 3 years. For each category, a specific number of credit points must be reached.

Core subjects: 40 credit points

Core subjects include a broad spectrum of advanced topics in medicinal and industrial pharmaceutical sciences (lectures, seminars, exercises, site visits). The core subjects are compulsory for every student. A minimum of 35 credit points must be obtained in this category, 5 credit points can be maximally compensated, if an examination is not passed twice.

Optional subjects: minimal 8 credit points

Optional subjects include a broad spectrum of advanced topics in medicinal and industrial pharmaceutical sciences, as well as topics from related areas. The Department publishes a list of courses offered in this category. Other courses need the authorisation of the Director of Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Compensatory subjects

A maximum of 5 credit points of the core subjects can be compensated, if an examination is not passed twice. For this category, the optional courses are eligible.

Research Project: 10 credit points

Students have to perform one research project under the supervision of an elected professor in the core or elective subject areas of this Master programme (the Director of Studies can authorize exemptions). The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences publishes a list of contact persons for applying for a project. The student and supervising Professor must sign an agreement on their commitment of conducting the Research Project. The agreement is deposited at the Student Administration Office.

Electives in humanities, social and political sciences (GESS): 2 credit points

All students must collect credit points in courses offered by the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences.

Master thesis: 30 credit points

The Master thesis is carried out in the core or elective subject areas of this Master programme under the supervision of an elected Professor (the Director of Studies can grant exemptions). The Master thesis may be conducted within or outside of ETH provided an elected Professor takes over the supervision of the thesis. The time frame for this thesis is about 22 weeks (fixed for every term). The student selects a research topic from available projects offered by the Professors. The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences publishes a list of contact persons for applying for a Master thesis. The student and supervising Professor must sign an agreement on their commitment of conducting the Master thesis. The agreement is deposited at the Student Administration Office.