Humanities, Political and Social Sciences
ETH students should not just be specialists in their particular subject; they should also be able to put their knowledge and actions into broad historical, ethical, political, economic and social contexts.
The study programme Science in Perspective (formerly compulsory elective courses) enables students at ETH Zurich to develop new perspectives on their core subjects’ scientific and technological issues.
Open up new perspectives, understand different contexts, recognise relationships
Why do certain technologies prevail while others do not? Why do we invest too much money in outdated technology? How does the internet change our understanding of intellectual property? What do biologists mean when they talk about information? What is the meaning of truth in mathematics? How has modern ‘Western science’ spread throughout the world, and does it still remain ‘Western’ in a Japanese or Indian setting?
The study programme Science in Perspective is an integral part of the curriculum at ETH Zurich. Students learn to understand and critically question the correlations between scientific knowledge, technological innovations, cultural contexts, individuals and society. They thus enhance their reflective competencies, while being prepared for the social and global developments of the future.
For more information please visit the GESS Website.
During a degree course at ETH Zurich a total of eight credit points have to be earned in the area of Science in Perspective – six at bachelor’s and two at master’s level.
D-GESS offers a Bachelor programme in Public Policy for Professional Officers.