Bachelor Physics

Educational objective and career profile

The Bachelor's degree programme in physics builds upon a robust basic knowledge of mathematics and fosters abstract thinking as well as analytical and problem-solving skills. It provides solid foundations that allow physics graduates to acquire further knowledge independently in their chosen profession.

Physics graduates may be found carring out scientific research in state-owned or industrial laboratories, but their broad skillset and their versatility are highly valued in many other professional roles.

Bachelor's degree programme (180 credits)

The Bachelor¡¯s degree programme in Physics at ETH Zurich stands out because of the strong and rich foundation it offers. Its aim is to familiarise students with fundamental physical concepts, structures and methods while building crucial mathematical knowledge.

The first year of study is nearly identical in the Physics and Mathematics programmes, so that it is possible to consider switching paths at the end of the first year.

In the second and third years of study, physics students attend more specialised lectures in experimental and theoretical physics. They also carry out practicals to deepen their methodological approaches to problems. In their third year, students can choose from a wide range of courses covering core subjects alongside their practicals. In their final semester, students are asked to either produce semester papers in theoretical or experimental physics or to take a so-called theoretical proseminar.

Largely common first-year courses for undergraduates in Physics and Mathematics: Analysis, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods, Physics, Computer Science
Courses in theoretical and experimental physics: General Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Astrophysics, Solid-state Physics, Quantum Electronics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, etc.
Practicals, semester paper or theoretical proseminar

As the Bachelor's degree programme in Physics at ETH Zurich is taught in German, a language certificate is required for admission. A good knowledge of English becomes increasingly relevant as students progress in their studies. Depending on the chosen curriculum, lectures in English may start from the second or third year of study. More information is available on the Language requirements webpage.

To learn more about studying physics at ETH Zurich, please take a look at the German version of this page and download the brochure Physik ¨C Das Studium (in German).

Following their Bachelor's degree, many students decide to continue their physics studies: ETH Zurich offers various options to gain deeper knowledge into a chosen field within the broader discipline.

Master's degree programme (90 credits)

Theoretical and experimental core subjects
Electives: Chosen from the areas of Astrophysics, Atmospheric Physics, Biophysics, Solid-state Physics, Nuclear Physics, Medical Physics, Neuroinformatics, Quantum Electronics, Reactor Physics, Particle Physics, Theoretical Physics
Proseminars and semester papers
Master¡¯s thesis (6 months)

For more detailed information about the master's degree programme in physics and specialised master's degree programmes, go to the webpage Master Physics.