Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Medicinal and Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences Master Information
Compulsory Courses
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
535-0030-00LTherapeutic ProteinsO3 credits3GC. Halin Winter, D. Neri
AbstractIn this course, various topics related to the development, GMP production and application of therapeutic proteins will be discussed. Furthermore, students will expand their training in pharmaceutical immunology and will be introduced to the basic concepts of pharmaceutical product quality management.
ObjectiveStudents know and understand:
- basic mechanisms and regulation of the immune response
- the pathogenic mechanisms of the most important immune-mediated disorders
- the most frequently used expression systems for the production of therapeutic proteins
- the use of protein engineering tools for modifying different features of therapeutic proteins
- the mechanism of action of selected therapeutic proteins and their application
- basic concepts in the GMP production of therapeutic proteins
ContentThe course consists of two parts:
In a first part, students will complete their training of pharmaceutical immunology (Chapter 13 - 16 Immunobiology VIII textbook). This part particularly focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of immune-mediated diseases. Deepened knowledge of immunology will be relevant for understanding the mechanism of action of many therapeutic proteins, as well as for understanding one major concern related to the use of protein-based drugs, namely, immunogenicity.
The second part focuses on topics related to the development and application of therapeutic proteins, such as protein expression, protein engineering, reducing immunogenicity, and GMP production of therapeutic proteins. Furthermore, selected examples of approved therapeutic proteins will be discussed.
Lecture notesHandouts to the lectures will be available for downloading under Link
Literature- Chapters 13-16 of the Immunobiology VIII book (Janeway et al.)
- Lecture Handouts
- Paper References provided in the Scripts
- EMEA Dossier for Humira
535-0041-00LPharmacology and Toxicology III Information O2 credits2GM. Detmar, U. Quitterer
AbstractThe course is divided into two parts. The first part provides a detailed understanding of drugs and pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. The second part gives an overview of the field of pharmacogenomics with a special focus on the role of genetic polymorphisms in disease susceptibility, drug response and adverse effects.
ObjectiveThe course advances basic knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology. Special emphasis is placed on the interrelationship between pharmacological, pathophysiological and clinical aspects of drug therapy in the fields of infectious diseases and cancer. The course also provides an overview of the field of pharmacogenomics, with a special focus on the role of genetic polymorphisms in disease susceptibility, drug response and adverse effects.
ContentTopics include the pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. In the field of pharmacogenomics, the course is focused on genetics, genome-wide association studies, genetic disease predisposition, examples of genetic variability of drug metabolism and drug responses, identification of new drug targets, relevance of pharmacogenomics for clinical drug development, and toxicogenomics.
Lecture notesA script is provided for each lecture course. The scripts define important and exam-relevant contents of lectures. Scripts do not replace the lecture.
LiteratureRecommended reading:
The classic textbook in Pharmacology:
Goodman and Gliman`s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
Laurence Brunton, Bruce Chabner, Bjorn Knollman.
12th edition - 1808 pages
McGraw-Hill Professional; ISBN: 978-0071624428

or

Klaus Aktories, Ulrich Förstermann, Franz Hofmann, Klaus Starke.
Allgemeine und spezielle Pharmakologie und Toxikologie.
11th edition - 1216 pages
2013; Urban & Fischer (Elsevier, München)
ISBN-10: 3437425234; ISBN-13: 978-3437425233
535-0050-00LPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Information O3 credits2GS. Russmann
AbstractIntroduction to the principles, methods and applications of pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Drug safety in the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities, but also for hospital and office pharmacists. Another focus is the evaluation and interpretation of pharmacoepidemiological drug safety studies in the medical literature and the evaluation of benefits vs. risks.
ObjectiveObjectives:
- To familiarize participants with the principle methods and applications of pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety that is relevant for industry, regulatory affairs, but also for clinical pharmacists in hospitals and office pharmacies.
- Perform independently a causality assessment of suspected adverse drug reactions in patients
- Study designs and biostatistics used for the quantitative evaluation of drug safety
- Setup of programs that can effectively reduce medication errors and improve drug safety in clinical practice, particularly in hospitals
Content- Historical landmarks of drug safety
- Pharmacovigilance and causality assessment
- Drug safety in premarketing clinical trials
- Descriptive, cohort and case-control drug safety study designs; Data analysis and control of confounding
- Pharmacoepidemiology and regulatory decision making in drug safety; Risk management plans (RMPs)
- Medication errors, clinical pharmacology / clinical pharmacy
- Clinical Decision Support Systems, Interventional Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmacoepidemiological databases, 'Big Data'
- Interactive discussion of many real-life examples for each topic
Lecture notesThis course will be a combination of formal lectures, group discussions and self-directed studies. Course material will be taught through seminars, case studies in small groups.
Reading material and scripts will be provided for each week.
LiteratureRecommended literature
- Rothman: Introduction to Epidemiology
- Strom, Kimmel, Hennessy: Textbook of Pharmacoepidemiology
535-0010-00LDrug Seminars I Restricted registration - show details
6 credit points are awarded after successful presentation in the Seminar Week. - Strictly for students enrolled in the Master programmes Pharmaceutical Sciences or MIPS
O0 credits11SD. Neri
AbstractDrug therapy is nothing less than interference with a highly complex biological system, which is affected by various internal and external factors. A profound understanding of drug effects thus requires a transdisciplinary approach of investigation. The drug seminars provide a platform for the presentation and discussion of these transdisciplinary approaches for the investigation of drug action.
ObjectiveDrug therapy is nothing less than interference with a highly complex biological system, which is affected by various internal and external factors. A profound understanding of drug effects thus requires a transdisciplinary approach of investigation. The drug seminars provide a platform for the presentation and discussion of these transdisciplinary approaches for the investigation of drug action.
ContentThe faculty members of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences offer specific projects from different areas of the pharmaceutical sciences, each of which is elaborated by a small groups of students (4-8). Each group is tutored by a faculty member. The objective of this work is to achieve an in-depth understanding of the problem investigated and to present the results of the work to an audience composed of all students participating in the drug seminar and the faculty of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Presentations will take place in the framework of a dedicated mini-symposium, which is part of the external seminar week. The possibility exists to invite external experts from industry or the public health sector to participate in the mini-symposium. Students are strongly encouraged to make use of this option and will again be supported in these efforts by the faculty members.
535-0423-00LDrug Delivery and Drug TargetingO2 credits2VJ.‑C. Leroux, D. Brambilla
AbstractThe students gain an overview on current principles, methodologies and systems for controlled delivery and targeting of drugs. This enables the students to understand and evaluate the field in terms of scientific criteria.
ObjectiveThe students dispose of an overview on current principles and systems for the controlled delivery and targeting of drugs. The focus of the course lies on developing a capacity to understand the involved technologies and methods, as well as an appreciation of the chances and constraints of their therapeutic usage, with prime attention on anticancer drugs, therapeutic peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and vaccines.
ContentThe course covers the following topics: drug targeting and delivery principles, radiopharmaceuticals, macromolecular drug carriers, liposomes, micelles, micro/nanoparticles, gels and implants, administration of vaccines, delivery of active agents in tissue engineeering, targeting at the gastrointestinal level, synthetic carriers for nucleic acid drugs, ophthalmic devices and novel trends in transdermal and nasal drug delivery.
Lecture notesSelected lecture notes, documents and supporting material will be directly provided or may be downloaded using

Link

The website also displays additional information on peroral delivery systems, transdermal systems and systems for alternative routes (nasal, pulmonary) of delivery. These fields are covered in detail in the course Galenische Pharmazie II (Galenical Pharmacy II).
LiteratureY. Perrie, T. Rhades. Pharmaceutics - Drug Delivery and Targeting, second edition, Pharmaceutical Press, London and Chicago, 2012.

Further references will be provided in the course.
535-0137-00LClinical Chemistry IIO1 credit1VM. Hersberger
AbstractDetailed knowledge on particular aspects of clinical chemistry and medical laboratory diagnostics concerning quality control, point-of-care analytics, analytics of kidney stones, tumor markers, diagnosis of HIV and hepatitis, pharmacogenetics, thyroid function, bone metabolism and laboratory diagnosis of hypertension.
ObjectiveDetailed knowledge on the implementation and interpretation of clinical laboratory diagnostic tests. Competence to interprete selected tests.
ContentInternal and external quality control, point-of-care analytics, analytics of kidney stones, use of tumor marker determinations, diagnosis of HIV and hepatitis, pharmacogenetics, thyroid function, bone metabolism and laboratory diagnosis of hypertension.
Lecture notesDocumentation will be available before the lectures electronically.
Literature- Jürgen Hallbach, Klinische Chemie und Hämatologie für den Einstieg, Thieme Verlag
- Harald Renz, Praktische Labordiagnostik, de Gruyter Verlag
- Walter Guder, Das Laborbuch für Klinik und Praxis, Elsevier Verlag
- Lothar Thomas, Labor und Diagnose, TH Books
- William Marshall, Clinical Chemistry, Mosby Ltd.
- Alan H.B. Wu, Tietz, Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, Saunders
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirement: basic knowledge in clinical chemistry and laboratory diagnostics
535-0250-00LBiotransformation of Drugs and XenobioticsO1 credit1VS.‑D. Krämer
AbstractKnowledge of the major reactions of biotransformation in drug therapy, prediction of possible metabolites of drugs and xenobiotics, recognition of structure elements and reactions which can lead to toxic metabolites. Knowledge of inter- and intraindividual factors influencing metabolism.
ObjectiveGoals: knowledge of the major reactions of biotransformation in drug therapy, prediction of possible metabolites of drugs and xenobiotics, recognition of structure elements and reactions which can lead to toxic metabolites. Knowledge of inter- and intraindividual factors influencing metabolism.
ContentMajor reactions of biotransformation. Major enzymes and reaction partners involved in the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics. Toxic reactions of metabolites. Factors which affect the biotransformation.
Lecture notesBiotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics
LiteratureB. Testa and S.D. Krämer. The Biochemistry of Drug Metabolism: Volumes 1 and 2, VHCA, Zürich, 2008 and 2010.

B. Testa and S.D. Krämer. The Biochemistry of Drug Metabolism: Parts 1 to 7. Published in Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2006-2009.
535-0546-00LPatentsO1 credit1VA. Koepf, P. Pliska
AbstractKnowledge in the field of intellectual property, especially of patents and trademarks, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutics.
Introduction into intellectual property; prosecution of patent applications; patent information; exploitation and enforcement of patents; peculiarities in pharmaceutics and medicine; social, political and ethical aspects; Trademarks.
ObjectiveBasic knowledge in the field of industrial property, especially of patents and trademarks, with particular emphasis on the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech field.
Content1. Introduction into industrial property (patents, trademarks, industrial designs);
2. Prosecution of patent applications (patentability);
3. Patent information (patent publications, databases, searches);
4. Exploitation and enforcement of patents (possibilities of exploitation, licenses, parallel imports, scope of protection, patent infringement);
5. Peculiarities in pharmaceutics and medicine (supplementary protection certificates, experimental use exemption, therapy and diagnosis, medical indication);
6. Social, political and ethical aspects (patents and prices for medicinal products, traditional knowledge and ethnomedicine, bioprospecting and biopiracy, human DNA inventions);
7. Trademarks, types of trademarks, grounds for refusal, peculiarities of pharma-trademarks.
Lecture notesA script is available in electronic form during the lecture.
Literature- Swiss Patents Act: Link
- Swiss Trademarks Act: Link
- Swiss Industrial-Designs Act: Link
- European Patent Convention: Link
- Patent Cooperation Treaty: Link
- Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: Link
- European Patent Office: Link
- World Intellectual Property Organization: Link
Compensatory Courses
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
535-0310-00LGlycobiology in Drug DevelopmentW1 credit1VV. I. Otto
AbstractProtein-based drugs constitute around 25% of new approvals and most of them are glycoproteins. Using selected examples the course aims at providing insight into our present knowledge on glycosylation-activity relationships and the production and analysis of glycoprotein-based drugs.
ObjectiveGaining insight into the glycobiology of therapeutically used glycoproteins. This implies knowing and understanding
- the major types of protein-linked glycans and their biosynthesis
- the most important expression systems for production of recombinant glycoproteins
- methods used to alter or manipulate glycosylation
- the most prominent clinically used glycoproteins and how glycosylation influences their therapeutic profile.
- Current methods for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of glycoproteins
and being able to apply this knowledge in other contexts.
Contentlecture plan:
1. Introduction: Carbohydrates - "life's first language"
2. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), glucocerebrosidase and the biosynthesis of N-glycans
3. PSGL-1 and the biosynthesis of O-glycans;
P-selectin and other lectins
4. The glycoprotein hormones and the production and analysis of therapeutic glycoproteins
5. Monoclonal antibodies and the modification of their therapeutic profile through glycoengineering
6. EPO "the same but different"
Lecture notesThe slides used for the lectures will be provided online
Literature- Essentials of Glycobiology 2nd edition, A. Varki, R.D. Cummings et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York 2009.
- Posttranslational Modification of Protein Biopharmaceuticals, G. Walsh (ed.), Wiley VCH, Weinheim 2009.
- Gentechnik, Biotechnik. Grundlagen und Wirkstoffe, 2. Auflage, Dingermann, Winckler, Zündorf, Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements: Basic knowledge in immunology, molecular biology, protein chemistry and analytics. Basic knowledge in pharmacology.
535-0300-00LMolecular Mechanisms of Drug Actions and Targets Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 24.
W1 credit1VV. I. Otto
AbstractOn average one drug per year is withdrawn from the market. Using selected examples of such drug failures, the course aims at analyzing and discussing the present explanations of drug actions as well as the design and predictive power of animal models and clinical trials. In addition, the ethical, societal, and economical expectations in new drugs shall be reflected.
ObjectiveTo develop a critical understanding of the relevance and limitations of the current approaches to explaining and anticipating drug effects. To critically appraise the ethical, societal, economical and political expectations in the development of new drugs.
ContentIn December 2006, Pfizer stopped a large phase III study on the use of Torcetrapib for the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. 800 million $ in development costs and 21 billion $ in stocks were annihilated overnight. The failure of Torcetrapib has pinpointed the limitations of an extremely reductionist view of atherosclerosis and it's prevention by drug therapy. It has also highlighted what high expectations we have in a safe and wide applicability of drugs and of their economical success.
Torcetrapib is not a single case. In the last 10 years, on average one drug per year was withdrawn from the market due to lack of efficacy, unexpected side effects or toxicity. This clearly shows that the common investigations and the modern understanding of drug actions are often not sufficient to predict the effects a drug will have in large patient populations.
These are the topics of the present course. Using three particularly informative examples of drug failures, the problems encountered and the concepts and informative value of preclinical and clinical studies will be analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, the ethical, societal, economical and political expectations in new drugs shall be reflected.
Lecture notesPrintouts of the slides used for the lectures and literature for reading and discussions will be available online.
LiteratureRecommended reading: John Abramson, Overdo$ed America, Harper Perennial, New York 2008
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements: basic knowledge in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. Ability to read and understand scientific publications written in English.
535-0022-00LComputer-Assisted Drug DesignW1 credit1VG. Schneider
AbstractThe lecture series provides an introduction to computer applications in medicinal chemistry. A focus is on molecular representations, property predictions, molecular similarity concepts, virtual screening techniques, and de novo drug design. All theoretical concepts and algorithms presented are illustrated by practical applications and case studies
ObjectiveThe students will learn how computer simulation generates ideas for drug design and development, understand the theoretical principles of property prediction and computer-generated compound generation, and understand possibilities and limitations of computer-assisted drug design in pharmaceutical chemistry. As a result, they are prepared for professional assessment of computer-assisted drug design studies in medicinal chemistry projects.
LiteratureRecommended textbooks:
1) G. Schneider, K.-H. Baringhaus (2008) "Molecular Design - Concepts and Applications", Wiley-VCH: Weinheim, New York.
2) H.-D. Höltje, W. Sippl, D. Rognan, G. Folkers (2008) "Molecular Modeling: Basic Principles and Applications", Wiley-VCH: Weinheim, New York.
3) G. Klebe (2009) "Wirkstoffdesign", Spektrum Akademischer Verlag: Heidelberg.
Prerequisites / NoticeSuccessful participation in this course is required for a research project ("Forschungspraktikum") in the CADD group.
851-0180-00LResearch Ethics Restricted registration - show details
Particularly suitable for students of D-BIOL, D-CHAB, D-HEST
W2 credits2GG. Achermann
AbstractThis course has its focus on the responsible conduct of research (RCR) and the ethical dimensions of the biological and biomedical sciences.
ObjectiveThe main goal of this course is to enhance the student's ability to:
- recognize and identify ethical issues and conflicts,
- analyze and develop well-reasoned responses to the kinds of ethical problems a scientist is likely to encounter.

Additionally, students will become familiar with regulations and ethical guidelines relevant for their research field on the international, governmental, institutional and professional level.

To achieve these objectives, teaching methods will include lectures, discussions, case study work (alone and in groups), moral games, paper work and exercises.
ContentI. Ethics & the Process of Ethical Inquiry
---------------------------------------

Introduction in Ethics and Research Ethics
- What is ethics? What ethics is not...;
- Awareness: what constitutes an ethical question? Distinguishing ethical questions from other kinds of questions; Science & ethics: a comparison;
- The ethics movement in the biological and health sciences;
- What is research ethics and why is it important?
- Values (personal, cultural & ethical) in science & principles for ethical conduct in research;
- Professional codes of conduct: functions and limitations

Ethical approaches in the conduct of research (Normative Ethics)
- Overview over important theories for research ethics: virtue theories, duty-based theories (rights theory, categorical imperative, prima facie duties), consequentialist theories, other theories);
- The plurality of ethical theories and its consequences;
- The concept of dignity

Moral reasoning I: Arguments
- Why arguments? What is a good argument? The structure of (moral) arguments;
- Deductive and inductive arguments; Validity and soundness;
- Assessing moral arguments

Moral reasoning II: Decision-making
- How (not) to approach ethical issues...; Is there a correct method for answering moral questions?
- Models of method in Applied Ethics: a) Top-down approaches; b) the reflective equilibrium; c) a bottom-up approach: casuistry (or reasoning-by-analogy);
- Is there a right answer?


II. Research Ethics / Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
----------------------------------------------------------

Integrity in Research & Research Misconduct
- What is "integrity" in scientific research? What is research misconduct (falsification, fabrication, plagiarism - FFP) and questionable research practices (QRP)?
- Factors leading to misconduct; Procedure for responding to allegations of research misconduct;
- The confidant of ETH Zurich

Data Management
- Data collection and recordkeeping; Analysis and selection of data;
- Ownership of data; retention and sharing of data;
- Falsification and fabrication of data

Research involving animals
- The moral status of animals; Ethical approaches to animal experimentation: Animal welfare (Peter Singer) and Animal rights (Tom Regan);
- The 3 R's (replacement, reduction, refinement);
- Ethical assessment of conflicting issues in animal experimentation;
- The dignity of animals in the Swiss constitution;

Research involving human subjects
- History & guidelines (Nuremberg Code; Declaration of Helsinki; Belmont Report; International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects (CIOMS Guidelines); Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention);
- Informed consent; confidentiality and anonymity; research risks and benefits; vulnerable subjects;
- Clinical trials;
- Biobanks
- Ethics Committees / Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Authorship & Peer review
- Criteria for authorship;
- Plagiarism;
- Challenges to openness and freedom in scientific publication;
- Open access
- Peer review

Social responsibility
- What is social responsibility? Social responsibility: whose obligation?
- Public advocacy by researchers
Lecture notesCourse material (handouts, case studies, exercises, surveys and papers) will be available during the lectures and on the course homepage.
LiteratureRecommended literature:

- Bulger R.E., Heitman E. & Reiser S.J. (2002) "The Ethical Dimensions of the Biological and Health Sciences" 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press
- Shamoo A.E. & Resnik D.B. (2003) "Responsible Conduct of Research", New York, Oxford University Press
- "On Being a Scientist. Responsible Conduct in Research (2009)" 3rd ed., Link;
- "Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research" (Link)

Detailed literature lists for the different topics of the course will be provided in the script/handout or on the course work space.
351-0778-00LDiscovering Management
Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01.
W3 credits3GB. Clarysse, M. Ambühl, S. Brusoni, E. Fleisch, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, P. Schönsleben, G. von Krogh, F. von Wangenheim
AbstractDiscovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. The module provides an overview of the principles of management, teaches knowledge about management that is highly complementary to the students' technical knowledge, and provides a basis for advancing the knowledge of the various subjects offered at D-MTEC.
ObjectiveDiscovering Management combines in an innovate format a set of lectures and an advanced business game. The learning model for Discovering Management involves 'learning by doing'. The objective is to introduce the students to the relevant topics of the management literature and give them a good introduction in entrepreneurship topics too. The course is a series of lectures on the topics of strategy, innovation, corporate finance, leadership, design thinking and corporate social responsibility. While the 14 different lectures provide the theoretical and conceptual foundations, the experiential learning outcomes result from the interactive business game. The purpose of the business game is to analyse the innovative needs of a large multinational company and develop a business case for the company to grow. This business case is as relevant to someone exploring innovation within an organisation as it is if you are planning to start your own business. By discovering the key aspects of entrepreneurial management, the purpose of the course is to advance students' understanding of factors driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and company success.
ContentDiscovering Management aims to broaden the students' understanding of the principles of business management, emphasizing the interdependence of various topics in the development and management of a firm. The lectures introduce students not only to topics relevant for managing large corporations, but also touch upon the different aspects of starting up your own venture. The lectures will be presented by the respective area specialists at D-MTEC.
The course broadens the view and understanding of technology by linking it with its commercial applications and with society. The lectures are designed to introduce students to topics related to strategy, corporate innovation, leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial finance, value chain analysis, corporate social responsibility, and business model innovation. Practical examples from industry experts will stimulate the students to critically assess these issues. Creative skills will be trained by the business game exercise, a participant-centered learning activity, which provides students with the opportunity to place themselves in the role of Chief Innovation Officer of a large multinational company. As they learn more about the specific case and identify the challenge they are faced with, the students will have to develop an innovative business case for this multinational corporation. Doing so, this exercise will provide an insight into the context of managerial problem-solving and corporate innovation, and enhance the students' appreciation for the complex tasks companies and managers deal with. The business game presents a realistic model of a company and provides a valuable learning platform to integrate the increasingly important development of the skills and competences required to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, analyse the future business environment and successfully respond to it by taking systematic decisions, e.g. critical assessment of technological possibilities.
Prerequisites / NoticeDiscovering Management is designed to suit the needs and expectations of Bachelor students at all levels as well as Master and PhD students not belonging to D-MTEC. By providing an overview of Business Management, this course is an ideal enrichment of the standard curriculum at ETH Zurich.
No prior knowledge of business or economics is required to successfully complete this course.
Research Project
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
511-0001-00LResearch Project Restricted registration - show details O10 credits20ALecturers
AbstractThe Research Project accustoms students to scientific work.
ObjectiveStudents are accustomed to scientific work and they get to know one specific research field.
ContentStudents work on a current field of research.
Master's Thesis
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
511-0002-00LMaster's Thesis Restricted registration - show details
Only students who fulfill the following criteria are allowed to begin with their master thesis:
a. successful completion of the bachelor programme;
b. fulfilling of any additional requirements necessary to gain admission to the master programme.
O30 credits40DLecturers
AbstractIn the Master thesis students prove their ability to independent, structured and scientific working. The Master thesis is usually carried out in a subject area of Pharmaceutical Sciences as chosen by the student.
Objective
GESS Science in Perspective
» Recommended GESS Science in Perspective (Type B) for D-CHAB.
» see GESS Science in Perspective: Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Capability
» see GESS Science in Perspective: Language Courses ETH/UZH
Course Units for Additional Admission Requirements
The courses below are only available for MSc students with additional admission requirements.
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
406-0603-AALStochastics (Probability and Statistics)
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-4 credits9RM. Kalisch
AbstractIntroduction to basic methods and fundamental concepts of statistics and probability theory for non-mathematicians. The concepts are presented on the basis of some descriptive examples. Learning the statistical program R for applying the acquired concepts will be a central theme.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to build a solid fundament in probability and statistics. The student should understand some fundamental concepts and be able to apply these concepts to applications in the real world. Furthermore, the student should have a basic knowledge of the statistical programming language "R".
ContentFrom "Statistics for research" (online)
Ch 1: The Role of Statistics
Ch 2: Populations, Samples, and Probability Distributions
Ch 3: Binomial Distributions
Ch 6: Sampling Distribution of Averages
Ch 7: Normal Distributions
Ch 8: Student's t Distribution
Ch 9: Distributions of Two Variables

From "Introductory Statistics with R (online)"
Ch 1: Basics
Ch 2: The R Environment
Ch 3: Probability and distributions
Ch 4: Descriptive statistics and tables
Ch 5: One- and two-sample tests
Ch 6: Regression and correlation
Literature- "Statistics for research" by S. Dowdy et. al. (3rd
edition); Print ISBN: 9780471267355; Online ISBN: 9780471477433; DOI:
10.1002/0471477435
From within the ETH, this book is freely available online under:
Link

- "Introductory Statistics with R" by Peter Dalgaard; ISBN
978-0-387-79053-4; DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79054-1
From within the ETH, this book is freely available online under:
Link
551-0103-AALFundamentals of Biology II: Cell Biology Information
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-5 credits11RE. Hafen, J. Fernandes de Matos, U. Kutay, G. Schertler, U. Suter, S. Werner
AbstractThe goal of this course is to provide students with a wide general understanding in cell biology. With this material as a foundation, students have enough of a cell biological basis to begin their specialization not only in cell biology but also in related fields such as biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacological sciences, molecular biology, and others.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to provide students with a wide general understanding cell biology. With this material as a foundation, students have enough of a cell biological basis to begin their specialization not only in cell biology but also in related fields such as biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacological sciences, molecular biology, and others.
ContentThe focus is animal cells and the development of multicellular organisms with a clear emphasis on the molecular basis of cellular structures and phenomena. The topics include biological membranes, the cytoskeleton, protein sorting, energy metabolism, cell cycle and division, viruses, extracellular matrix, cell signaling, embryonic development and cancer research.
LiteratureAlberts et al. 'Molecular Biology of the Cell' 6th edition, 2014, ISBN 9780815344322 (hard cover) and ISBN 9780815345244 (paperback).

Topic/Lecturer/Chapter/Pages:

Analyzing cells & molecules / Gebhard Schertler/8/ 439-463;
Membrane structure / Gebhard Schertler/ 10/ 565-595;
Compartments and Sorting/ Ulrike Kutay/12+14+6/641-694/755-758/782-783/315-320/325 -333/Table 6-2/Figure6-20, 6-21, 6-32, 6-34;
Intracellular Membrane Traffic/ Ulrike Kutay/13/695-752;
The Cytoskeleton/ Ulrike Kutay/ 16/889 - 948 (only the essentials);
Membrane Transport of Small Molecules and the Electrical Properties of Membranes /Sabine Werner/11/597 - 633;
Mechanisms of Cell Communication / Sabine Werner/15/813-876;
Cancer/ Sabine Werner/20/1091-1141;
Cell Junctions and Extracellular Matrix/Ueli Suter / 1035-1081;
Stem Cells and Tissue Renewal/Ueli Suter /1217-1262;
Development of Multicellular organisms/ Ernst Hafen/ 21/ 1145-1179 /1184-1198/1198-1213;
Cell Migration/Joao Matos/951-960;
Cell Death/Joao Matos/1021-1032;
Cell Cycle/chromosome segregation/Cell division/Meiosis/Joao Matos/ 963-1018.
Prerequisites / Noticenone
535-0135-AALClinical Chemistry I
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-1 credit2RM. Hersberger
AbstractIntroduction into fundamentals of laboratory diagnostics and overview of the laboratory parameters concerning inflammation, lipid metabolism, myocardial infarction, diabetes, kidney function, urinary diagnostics, liver function, blood coagulation, blood count, therapeutic drug monitoring and drugs of abuse screening.
ObjectiveOverview of the possibilities and limitations in clinical laboratory diagnostics. Indications and methods of everyday parameters are known.
ContentIntroduction into medical laboratory diagnostics: immunochemical methods, diagnostics of inflammation, acute myocardial infarction, lipid metabolism, diabetes, kidney function and urinary diagnostics, blood coagulation, blood count, therapeutic drug monitoring, drugs of abuse screening, common diagnostics of liver diseases, point-of-care diagnostics.
535-0222-AALPharmaceutical Analytics
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-4 credits9RC. Steuer
AbstractTheoretical and practical comprehension of analytical chemistry in order to solve pharmaceutical problems.
ObjectiveKnowledge in Pharmaceutical Analytics in order to solve fundamental analytical problems. Handling of the most important pharmacopeial texts and monographs.
ContentIntroduction in Pharmaceutical Analytics. Theoretical and practical considerations concerning a lot of methods in different Pharmacopeias. Identification, purity testing, stability testing, assays of drugs and drug formulations.
Lecture notesA script can be purchased at the HCI-Shop, HCI-Building, D floor.
LiteratureDavid G. Watson, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Elsevier.
535-0241-AALBiopharmacy
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-3 credits6RS.‑D. Krämer
AbstractIntroduction to the Basics in Biopharmacy. Pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, ADME), which determine the fate of a drug in the body. Knowledge of the most important pharmacokinetic parameters. Interpretation of concentration-time-profiles of drugs. Pharmacokinetic profiling of drugs in view of therapy optimization and analysis of interaction potential.
ObjectiveIntroduction to the Basics in Biopharmacy. Pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, ADME), which determine the fate of a drug in the body. Knowledge of the most important pharmacokinetic parameters. Interpretation of concentration-time-profiles of drugs. Pharmacokinetic profiling of drugs in view of therapy optimization and analysis of interaction potential.
ContentIntroduction to pharmacokinetics; definition of the most important pharmacokinetic parameters and their calculation from clinical data (compartment model, statistical model); kinetics of absorption (absorption profiles); distribution of drugs and role of protein binding; kinetics of elimination: excretion and biotransformation (physiological model); pharmacokinetic profiling of drugs for therapy optimization and for the analysis of the interaction potential; dosage regimen design.
535-0440-AALQuality Management in Pharmaceutical Business
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-1 credit2RA.  Sterchi, C. Siegmund
AbstractThe students know the relevance and the role of quality assurance measures to assure quality, efficacy and safety of drugs. The students know the most important Swiss regulations, including the associated European regulations, which are relevant from a quality assurance point of view and they are able to interpret the content of this regulations.
Objective
551-0110-AALFundamentals of Biology II: Microbiology Information
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-2 credits2RJ. Vorholt-Zambelli
AbstractStructure, function, genetics of prokaryotic microorganisms and fungi.
ObjectiveBasic principles of cell structure, growth physiology, energy metabolism, gene expression. Biodiversity of Bacteria and Archaea in the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles in nature. Phylogeny and evolution. Pathogenicity. Biotechnology. Antibiotics.
ContentBasic principles of cell structure, growth physiology, energy metabolism, gene expression. Biodiversity of Bacteria and Archaea in the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles in nature. Phylogeny and evolution. Pathogenicity. Biotechnology. Antibiotics.
Lecture notesnone
LiteratureBrock, Biology of Microorganisms (Madigan, M.T. and Martinko, J.M., eds.), 12th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009
Prerequisites / Noticenone
551-0108-AALFundamentals of Biology II: Plant Biology
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-2 credits2RW. Gruissem
AbstractWater balance, assimilation, transport in plants; developmental biology, stress physiology.
ObjectiveWater balance, assimilation, transport in plants; developmental biology, stress physiology.
Lecture notesnone
LiteratureSmith, A.M., et al.: Plant Biology, Garland Science, New York, Oxford, 2010
Prerequisites / Noticenone
551-1323-AALFundamentals of Biology II: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
E-4 credits11RK. Locher, N. Ban, R. Glockshuber, E. Weber-Ban
AbstractThe course provides an introduction to Biochemistry / Molecular Biology with some emphasis on chemical and biophysical aspects.
ObjectiveTopics include the structure-function relationship of proteins / nucleic acids, protein folding, enzymatic catalysis, cellular pathways involved in bioenergetics and the biosynthesis and breakdown of amino acids, glycans, nucleotides, fatty acids and phospholipids, and steroids. There will also be a discussion of DNA replication and repair, transcription, and translation.
Lecture notesnone
Literature"Biochemistry",
Berg/Tymoczko/Stryer, 8th edition, Palgrave Macmillan, International edition