The Program

Interdisciplinary Tutor System

The Department of Architecture (D-ARCH) hosts and coordinates the MIBS program, integrating the expertise of five departments (D-ARCH, D-BAUG, D-MAVT, D-ITET, D-MTEC), as well as the Energy Science Center. The tutor system is the backbone of the MIBS program and a highly unique dimension of this program. When students begin their studies, each student defines an individual study area of focus. Based on their interests, each student is assigned an ETH Professor who is designated as his or her primary MIBS tutor. The role of the primary tutor is to act as an academic advisor and support the development of each student's personal curriculum through the supervision of the student's Learning Agreement (LAG), which is subject to Tutor approval. The system provides students the opportunity to develop a mentee-mentor relationship with experts in the field of integrated building systems. What is unique about the system is that students have the opportunity to engage in the expertise of all the MIBS tutors via their coursework and their project work.

Program Highlights

• A full-time 4 semester specialized masters MSc program taught in English by internationally known faculty and experts at and an internationally ranked technical university located in the city of Zurich.
• Each student receives individualized one-on-one academic and professional mentorship within the tutor system structure, where students are assigned a main tutor, but through the curriculum, are exposed to the expertise of all of the tutors involved in the program and are encouraged to seek mentorship from multiple tutors.
  
• Each student will participate in cutting edge research projects and project courses that focus on real-world problem contexts.
  
• The program is organized in a course sequence which will prepare you for your project work, and is supplemented by specialized courses which allow you to diversify per your interests.
• Specifically, Fundamental and Core coursework supports students to develop a shared, basic knowledge in the fields of building, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering and a basic understanding of physics, thermo and fluid dynamics, applied mathematics, engineering, building technology and building construction.
  
• Specifically, students are exposed to topics including: 1) energy flows in and around buildings; 2) building system design; 3) engineering expertise in building design, building operations and controls, building services, and energy management systems; as well as 4) knowledge of new energy technologies for buildings, renewables integration, and 5) knownledge on dimensions of human comfort, safety, economic and environmental factors.
• Graduates will be able to integrate state-of-the-art knowledge on building systems and technologies into multiple building scales building scales and urban contexts.