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ETH Zurich

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"ETH" redirects here. For other uses, see ETH (disambiguation).
The ETH Zurich, often called Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, is a science and technology university in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. Its full name is [Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich], with ETHZ also being a common abbreviation. Locals sometimes refer to it by the name Poly, from its original name Polytechnikum.

While being the most prestigious university in the German-speaking countries, it is also considered to be amongst the world’s premier universities in the fields of science and technology.

The ETH is an internationally oriented university. It is a member of the IDEA League and the International Alliance of Research Universities IARU.

Contents

History

ETH Zürich Zentrum
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ETH Zürich Zentrum

The ETH was founded in 1854 by the Swiss Confederation and opened its doors in 1855 as a polytechnic institute (Eidgenössische Polytechnische Schule). It comprised in the beginning six departements: architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, forestry, and a catch-all departement for mathematics, natural sciences, literature, and social and political sciences.

The ETH is a federal institute (i.e., under direct administration by the Swiss government), whereas the University of Zürich (founded in 1833) is a cantonal institution. The decision for a new federal university was heavily disputed at the time, because the liberals pressed for a "federal university", while the conservative forces wanted all universities to remain under cantonal control, with the goal of giving liberal thoughts no refuge. In the beginning, both universities were co–located in the buildings of the University of Zürich.

The main building of the ETH was built 1861 to 1864 under Gustav Zeuner; the architect was Gottfried Semper, who was a professor for architecture at the ETH at the time. The south wing of the building was allocated to the University of Zürich until the university's own new main building was constructed (1912 – 1914). At about the same time, Semper's ETH building was enlarged and also got its impressive cupola.

In 1909, the course program of the ETH was restructured to that of a real university, from its early, very schoolish agenda, and the ETH was granted the right to award doctorates. In 1911, it was given its current name, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule. In 1924, another reorganization structured the university in 12 departments.

Interior skylights in the main building
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Interior skylights in the main building

With a new law in 1991, which became effective in 1993, the ETH Zürich, the EPFL, and four associated research institutes were joined and administered together as the "ETH Bereich".

An official [decision] states that the name of the institution is "ETH Zurich" in English and "ETH Zürich" in German, without expanding the acronym.

Reputation

In national comparisons of the [swissUP Ranking], the ETH traditionally achieves best marks in natural sciences, computer science and engineering sciences. However, it scores low in categories involving student opinions.

A ranking published by [CHE] in May 2006 compares the ETH with other universities in the German-speaking countries. The ETH ranked first by peer review and reputation in all natural sciences, computer science and engineering sciences. It also scores high in categories like number of publications and citations.

The ETH is regularly ranked among the top universities in the world. It is placed between 3rd and 6th in Europe and between 10th and 27th in the world in international rankings by the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings. It was also ranked 12th by the latter in both sciences and technology in 2005.

Historically, the ETH achieved its reputation particularly in the fields of chemistry, mathematics and physics. There are 22 affiliates of the ETH who have won the Nobel Prize [link]. Almost half of them have also studied at the ETH as undergraduates or graduates, amongst them Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, Albert Einstein and Felix Bloch. The most recent Nobel Laureate is Kurt Wüthrich who has won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2002.

Admission and Education

Students and locals in the ETH front courtyard
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Students and locals in the ETH front courtyard

The ETH is not selective in its undergraduate admission procedures. Like every public university in Switzerland, the ETH is obliged to grant admission to every Swiss citizen who sat through Matura. However, most applicants from foreign countries are required to take either the reduced entrance exam or the comprehensive entrance exam. An applicant can be admitted to the ETH even without any verifiable educational records by passing the comprehensive entrance exam. Albert Einstein, who did not complete secondary school, is probably the most popular applicant who was required to take the comprehensive entrance exam, which he passed on second try.

There are no obligatory examinations during the first academic year which is divided into two semesters. However, the actual selection process takes place in the summer shortly after the second semester. Students have to pass the block examinations of courses of the first year, called the Basisprüfung. If the weighted average score is not sufficient, you are required to retake the entire Basisprüfung. Less than 50% of the students pass the Basisprüfung on first try and those who fail to pass on second try are not allowed to study in higher semesters. However, most students choose to drop out after the first failure. The structure of examinations in higher academic years is similar to the Basisprüfung, but with a much higher success rate. The regular time to reach graduation is six semesters for a bachelor's degree and three further semesters for a Master's degree. The last semester is dedicated to writing a Master's thesis.

Education at the ETH tends to be theoretically oriented with a high amount of mathematics involved throughout the courses. The main language of teaching in undergraduate studies is German while English is lingua franca in most graduate studies.

Campus

The ETH Zürich has no single campus. The main building was constructed in the 1860s in the heart of the city, and when the university grew, it spread out into the surrounding quarters. Its Zentrum location consists thus of various buildings and institutions throughout Zürich, firmly integrating the ETH in the city. The main building is literally across the street from the University of Zurich (Universität Zürich).

Because this geographic situation substantially hindered the expansion of the ETH, a new campus was built from 1964 to 1976 on the Hönggerberg in the outskirts of the city. The last major expansion project of this new campus was completed in 2003; since then, the Hönggerberg location houses the departments of materials science, architecture, civil engineering, physics, biology, and chemistry.

Student Life

A broad variety of events are organized by the different department societies, ranging from barbeque parties to midsize party events. Bigger events are organized by the VSETH (Verband der Studierenden an der ETH), which all department society are part of.

Notably, the [Polyparty] which has a young history, but still it is the biggest student organized event in Switzerland. Another more prestigious event with a longer tradition since 1880 is the annual [Polyball] housed in the main building of the ETH, which is extensively decorated for the ball. The Polyball is said to be the biggest decorated ball in Europe.

The amicable rivalry between the ETH and the neighbouring University of Zurich is still cultivated. Since 1951, there has been an annual rowing match between teams from the two institutions on the river Limmat.

Departments

ETH Zurich Main Building
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ETH Zurich Main Building

As of 2006, the ETH Zurich comprises the following departments:

Architecture and Civil Engineering

Engineering Sciences Natural Sciences and Mathematics System-oriented Natural Sciences Other Sciences

Affiliates

Nobel Prize winners

The people listed below were graduates of the ETH or they were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work at ETH as professors.

Other Affiliates

for a more comprehensive list, see the German version of this article [link].

See also

External links

 

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