Master in Integrated Building Systems

The interdisciplinary master's programme provides a science-

based education in building systems and technologies.

The emphasis is put on the integration of sustainable energy technologies at

building and urban levels. The methodology and tools to master the complex
design of integrated building systems, operation and management of buildings
are taught. The programme is interdisciplinary, combining methods and insights
from the disciplines of architecture, civil, mechanical, socio-economic, environ-
mental and electrical engineering.

Admission
Successful candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in architecture, mechanical,
civil or electrical engineering or similar. The teaching language of the degree
programme is English.

www.master-buildingsystems.ethz.ch
Education
The interdisciplinary programme is structured into
• Main courses:
• Fundamental courses; given by the admission's letter
• Core courses; mandatory, except a course has been completed in a former
ETH Bachelor's degree programme
• Specialized courses, linking the different disciplines and providing a broad
spectrum of expertise.
• Interdisciplinary design and research projects.
• Science in perspective (GESS)
• The 6-month Master’s thesis in a current research topic concludes the four
semester programme.

Study programme, tutor system

Students define their individual study programme and area of focus. Thereupon they
will be assigned a professor, designated as «Tutor».
The tutors are overseeing and coordinating the content of each student’s main
courses.

1st Semester 2nd Semester 3rd Semester 4th Semester

FUNDAM.

CORE C.

Chemistry Building process II Application of CFD

FUNDAMENTALS

Structural design (according to in buildings

Energy conversion admission's letter) Building physics IV:

urban physics
Mathematics
Whole Building
Design and building
simulation
process MBS
CORE COURSES

SPECIALIZED C.

Re-/Source the
(according to
built environment
admission's letter)
Building control
and automation Specialized
courses
Indoor environment,
resources and safety
Materials and Building systems
constructions Master's
Building physics: thesis
PROJECT C. SPECIAL. C.
CORE COURSES

theory and appl.

Renewable energy Specialized
PROJECT COURSES

courses Integrated
technologies I
design MBS
Technology and
innovation managment
Principles of
microeconomics
Innovation Semester
leadership project

Science in perspective GESS

Qualification profile
Graduates with a Master’s degree in integrated building systems are experts in the
field of building integrated systems and technologies, which offers a broad spectrum
of working areas including building services, technology and energy suppliers,
planning, consulting and real estate companies, as well as facility management,
municipalities and research institutions.

Graduates
• have a broad spectrum of knowledge including: energy flows in and around
buildings, building system design, engineering expertise in building design and
control, building services, energy management systems, new energy technologies,
renewable energy technologies, and the comfort, safety, economic and envi-
ronmental aspects of building design.
• are able to integrate state-of-the-art knowledge on building systems and
technologies into complex buildings.
• have basic knowledge in the fields of architecture, mechanical, civil and
electrical engineering and a basic understanding of physics, thermo and fluid
dynamics, applied mathematics, engineering, building technology and building
construction.
• are able to formulate arguments, define assumptions, use abstract concepts
and data, identifying the relevant components and understanding their decisive
interactions, in order to make judgements and to develop adequate and technical
solutions for the design and operation of complex buildings.
• understand a building as an integrated system, taking all relevant interactions
with the environment including communities or cities into account and be able
to develop scenarios for the future.

The programme is offered by the Departments of

• Architecture (D-ARCH; host department)
• Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG)
• Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET)
• Mechanical & Process Engineering (D-MAVT)
• Management, Technology, & Economics (D-MTEC)

The programme is supported by the Energy Science Center.

Master in Integrated Building Systems
www.master-buildingsystems.ethz.ch →

Application
All candidates must submit electronic applications
to the ETH Admission's Office.
First period (for international students requiring visa):
1 November - 15 December
Second period (for Swiss and European students):
1 March - 31 March
www.ethz.ch/en/studies/registration-application/master →

Coordinators:
Rudolf Krieg (administration) D-ARCH
Dr. Kristina Orehounig (programme) D-ARCH

Director of studies and tutor:

Prof. Dr. Jan Carmeliet D-ARCH
Tutors:
Prof. Dr. Arno Schlüter D-ARCH
Prof. Dr. Mario Fontana D-BAUG
Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert D-BAUG
Prof. Dr. John Lygeros D-ITET
Prof. Dr. Roy Smith D-ITET
Prof. Dr. Marco Mazzotti D-MAVT
Prof. Dr. Stefano Brusoni D-MTEC

ETH Zürich
Department of Architecture
Study Administration Office
HIL E 73
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093 Zürich
studiensekretariat@arch.ethz.ch
© Study Administration Office D-ARCH, May 2017