Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023
Science in Perspective  In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and ContentsSubject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| D-MATH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 853-0061-00L | Introduction to Cybersecurity Politics | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Dunn Cavelty, F. J. Egloff | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture is an introduction to global cybersecurity politics. The focus is on the strategic use of cyberspace by state and non-state actors (threats) and different answers to these new challenges (countermeasures). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants learn to assess the advantages and disadvantages of cyberspace as a domain for strategic military operations. They understand the technical basics of cyber operations and know how technology and politics are interlinked in this area. They understand the security challenges for and the motivations of states to be active in cyberspace offensively and defensively and they are familiar with the consequences for international politics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | We start with an overview of cybersecurity issue from 1980 to today and look at events and actors responsible for turning cybersecurity matters into a security political issue with top priority. After familiarizing ourselves with the technical basics, we look at different forms of cyberviolence and trends in cyber conflicts (technique in social and political practice). Then, we turn to countermeasures: we compare national cybersecurity strategies, examine international norms building, and scrutinize concepts such as cyber-power and cyber-deterrence (technique in social and political regulartory contexts). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | A script with background information and comments on the literature will be made available at the beginning of the semester. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature for each session will be available on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture is being supported by a website on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 853-8002-00L | The Role of Technology in National and International Security Policy | W | 3 credits | 2G | O. Thränert, A. Dossi, M. Leese, N. Masuhr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture provides an introduction to the role of security and military technologies in the formulation and implementation of national and international security policies. The focus is on challenges posed by new and developing technologies, the transformation of military capabilities, and the question of regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants will gain an in-depth overview of the many ways in which technology is becoming part of security policies and practices, in both civilian and military contexts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Der erste Teil befasst sich mit den vielgestaltigen und komplexen Beziehungen zwischen Konzepten nationaler und internationaler Sicherheit, der Förderung von Forschung und Entwicklung, ökonomischen Aspekten von Technologie, und Aussenpolitik und Diplomatie. Der zweite Teil behandelt die Auswirkungen von neuen Technologien auf militärische Kapazitäten, strategische Optionen, und Militärdoktrinen in Krieg und Frieden. Der dritte Teil konzentriert sich auf regulatorische Herausforderungen, die aus der Implementierung und der globalen Weiterverbreitung von Technologie resultieren. Der letzte Teil schliesslich beschäftigt sich mit den Herausforderungen für den Staat im Umgang mit neuen und noch in der Entwicklung befindlicher Technologien, vorrangig in den sensiblen Bereich der Rüstungsbeschaffung und des nachrichtendienstlichen Einsatzes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literatur für die einzelnen Sitzungen wird auf Moodle bereitgestellt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture is being supported by a website on Moodle. If you have any questions, please contact Quentin Merle, quentin.merle@sipo.gess.ethz.ch. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 851-0742-01L | Contract Design II  Does not take place this semester. To be considered for Contract Design II, you must have completed Contract Design I in the same semester. Students can only register for Contract Design II after having obtained approval by Prof. Stremitzer. | W | 1 credit | 1U | A. Stremitzer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Contract Design II is a masterclass in the form of an interactive clinic that allows you to deepen your understanding of contracting by applying insights from Contract Design I to a comprehensive case study. Together with your classmates, you are going to advise a (hypothetical) client organization planning to enter a complex transaction on how to structure the underlying contract. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | There is a possibility that representatives from companies that were previously engaged in similar deals will visit us in class and tell you about their experience firsthand. In Contract Design I, you will receive more detailed information on the content and learning objectives of Contract Design II. If you have urgent questions, please do not hesitate to send an e-mail to Professor Stremitzer’s Teaching Assistant Diego Caldera (diegoalberto.calderaherrera@uzh.ch). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | To enable you to work under the close supervision of your professor and his team, only a small group of students with backgrounds in law, business, or engineering is admitted to this course. This simulation is time-consuming and challenging. Hence, we can only admit the most successful and motivated students to this class. Further information on the application process will follow. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0196-00L | Philosophy of Pure and Applied Mathematics: From Foundations to Practice | W | 3 credits | 2S | Y. P.‑H. Hamami | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course is a general introduction to the philosophy of mathematics for science, mathematics and engineering students. It will introduce the main views and debates on the nature of mathematics present in contemporary philosophy. A special focus will be put on questions pertaining to the foundations of mathematics as well as on philosophical issues emerging from actual mathematical practice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The objective of this course is to help students develop a reflective stance on what mathematics is and on its special place in the landscape of human knowledge. We expect students to be able to report the main philosophical conceptions of what mathematics is. We also expect them to be familiar with key debates in the philosophy of mathematics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course is a general introduction to the philosophy of mathematics for science, mathematics and engineering students. It will introduce the main views and debates on the nature of mathematics present in contemporary philosophy. A special focus will be put on questions pertaining to the foundations of mathematics as well as on philosophical issues emerging from the actual practice of mathematics. The course is composed of four parts. Part I: Foundations of Mathematics. In this first part of the course, we will present the debates concerning the foundations of mathematics at the turn of the twentieth century. We will review the three main philosophical conceptions of mathematics developed during this period: logicism, formalism and intuitionism. Part II: Ontology and Epistemology of Mathematical Objects What is the nature of mathematical objects? And how can we acquire knowledge about them? Here we will present several ways of approaching these questions. We will discuss philosophical views that conceive mathematical objects as similar to physical objects, as creations of the human mind, as fictional characters, and as places in larger structures. We will see the strengths and weaknesses of these different views. Part III: Philosophy of Mathematical Practice In this part of the course, we will be concerned with a recent movement in the philosophy of mathematics dealing with the actual practice of mathematics. We will see two trends of research developed within this tradition. The first one aims to explain how we can think and reason mathematically with non-linguistic representations such as diagrams and symbolic notations. The second one asks whether there could be such things as explanations in mathematics and if yes what they are. The paradigmatic examples we will discuss here are mathematical proofs that not only establish that a theorem is true but also explain why it is true. Part IV: The Applicability of Mathematics to the Natural World It is a truism that mathematics is used everywhere in the natural and social sciences. But how come that mathematics applies so well to the natural world? If mathematics is just a pure game with symbols, or a pure invention of the human mind, it seems difficult to explain why it is so useful when formulating scientific theories about the world. In this part of the course, we will discuss this problem known as the applicability of mathematics, and we will see different philosophical solutions that have been developed to address it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0185-00L | Ethics in Mathematics Recommended for students of D-MATH | W | 3 credits | 2S | M. Cordes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this course we will discuss ethics related to the practice of mathematics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants of the course will: • Become familiar with some of the ethical questions inherent to mathematical work • Explore several applications of mathematics and their impacts on society • Develop skills to identify ethical questions in mathematics and deepen their understanding of debates on certain issues in the mathematical community • Consider what a code of ethics for mathematicians could look like • Practice and improve mathematical communication skills | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | • Exploration of what mathematics is • Case studies which illuminate ethical questions that appear in the practice of mathematics • Ethical situations that appear in the mathematical community (interaction with the public, within the mathematical community, as educators,...) Please email the instructor if you'd like a more detailed syllabus. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | A reading list will be distributed the first day. If you'd like to see it before, please email the instructor and ask for a copy of the syllabus. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | 1. Your regular presence is absolutely required (so please no double, parallel enrollment for courses taking place at the identical time!). Students are expected to be active, thoughtful participants, e.g., taking notes, contributing to discussions. 2. Having the willingness and availability of the necessary time for regularly preparing the class. Students will be expected to do the readings and have thought critically about their content before each class. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 851-0763-00L | Supervised Research (Law, Economics, and Data Science) | W | 3 credits | E. Ash, S. Galletta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This is a supervised student project for 3 ECTS, supervised by the professorship of Elliott Ash (D-GESS). Students will adapt tools from econometrics and machine learning to questions in law, data science, and social science. Students must have some data science and/or statistics experience. Some programming experience in Python, Stata, or R is required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Apply tools from data science and social science to a new project, potentially in a group, to develop a paper or app. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Some programming experience in Python, Stata, or R is required. Some experience with data science or statistics is required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0703-00L | Introduction to Law | W | 2 credits | 2V | O. Streiff Gnöpff | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This class introduces students into basic features of the legal system. Fundamental issues of constitutional law, administrative law, private law and the law of the EU are covered. The focus is on legal problems related to space. Active participation is expected in short interactive sequences. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students are able to identify basic structures of the legal system. They unterstand selected topics of public and private law. They are able to apply the fundamentals in more advanced law classes and to recognize the relevance of law in their own field. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Basic concepts of law, sources of law. Private law: Contract law (particularly contract for work and services), tort law, property law. Public law: Human rights, administrative law, procurement law, procedural law. Insights into the law of the EU and into criminal law. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Jaap Hage, Bram Akkermans (Eds.), Introduction to Law, Cham 2017 (Online Resource ETH Library) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Further documents will be available online (https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=20127) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 851-0738-00L | Intellectual Property: Introduction Particularly suitable for students of D-CHAB, D-INFK, D-ITET, D-MAVT, D- MATL, D-MTEC. | W | 2 credits | 2V | M. Schweizer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides an introduction to Swiss and European intellectual property law (trademarks, copyright, patent and design rights). The legal principles are developed based on current cases. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The aim of this course is to enable students at ETH Zurich to recognize which rights may protect their creations, and which rights may be infringed as a result of their activities. Students should learn to assess the risks and opportunities of intellectual property rights in the development and marketing of new products. To put them in this position, they need to know the prerequisites and scope of protection afforded by the various intellectual property rights as well as the practical difficulties involved in the enforcement of intellectual property rights. This knowledge is imparted based on current rulings and cases. Another goal is to enable the students to participate in the current debate over the goals and desirability of protecting intellectual creations, particularly in the areas of copyright (keywords: fair use, Creative Commons, Copyleft) and patent law (software patents, patent trolls, patent thickets). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 853-0047-01L | World Politics Since 1945: The History of International Relations (Without Exercises) | W | 3 credits | 2V | A. Wenger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This lecture series provides students with an overview of the development of international relations since the end of World War II. The first part of the series deals with the development of and changes in Cold War security policy structures. The second part deals with the period after the transformation of 1989/91; the focus here is on current issues in international security policy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | By the end of the semester, participants should have a solid knowledge of the history and theoretical foundations of International Relations since the end of the Second World War. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | cf. "Diploma Supplement" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecure is being supported by a website on Moodle. If you have any questions, please contact Quentin Merle (quentin.merle@sipo.gess.ethz.ch). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-0703-00L | Environmental Ethics (University of Zurich) No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding module directly at UZH as an incoming student. UZH Module Code: 07SMEEE266 Please register at: https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/de/studies/application/chmobilityin.html after you received your logon information you can enrol to courses at: https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/application#/Logon Mind the enrolment deadlines at UZH: https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/studies/application/deadlines.html | W | 3 credits | 2V | University lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The pressing environmental challenges of today demand a critical reflection. Ethics is an important tool for doing so. This lecture introduces the basics of ethics and provides in-depth knowledge of environmental ethics and its debates. This theoretical background will be applied and critically reflected using examples of current environmental challenges. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | On completion of this lecture, you have acquired the ability to identify, analyze, critically reflect and resolve ethical challenges in general and specifically regarding the environment. You know basic concepts, positions and lines of argumentation from the debate in environmental ethics, which you have applied and discussed in smaller exercises. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 853-0061-00L | Introduction to Cybersecurity Politics | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Dunn Cavelty, F. J. Egloff | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture is an introduction to global cybersecurity politics. The focus is on the strategic use of cyberspace by state and non-state actors (threats) and different answers to these new challenges (countermeasures). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants learn to assess the advantages and disadvantages of cyberspace as a domain for strategic military operations. They understand the technical basics of cyber operations and know how technology and politics are interlinked in this area. They understand the security challenges for and the motivations of states to be active in cyberspace offensively and defensively and they are familiar with the consequences for international politics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | We start with an overview of cybersecurity issue from 1980 to today and look at events and actors responsible for turning cybersecurity matters into a security political issue with top priority. After familiarizing ourselves with the technical basics, we look at different forms of cyberviolence and trends in cyber conflicts (technique in social and political practice). Then, we turn to countermeasures: we compare national cybersecurity strategies, examine international norms building, and scrutinize concepts such as cyber-power and cyber-deterrence (technique in social and political regulartory contexts). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | A script with background information and comments on the literature will be made available at the beginning of the semester. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature for each session will be available on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture is being supported by a website on Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 853-8002-00L | The Role of Technology in National and International Security Policy | W | 3 credits | 2G | O. Thränert, A. Dossi, M. Leese, N. Masuhr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The lecture provides an introduction to the role of security and military technologies in the formulation and implementation of national and international security policies. The focus is on challenges posed by new and developing technologies, the transformation of military capabilities, and the question of regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Participants will gain an in-depth overview of the many ways in which technology is becoming part of security policies and practices, in both civilian and military contexts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Der erste Teil befasst sich mit den vielgestaltigen und komplexen Beziehungen zwischen Konzepten nationaler und internationaler Sicherheit, der Förderung von Forschung und Entwicklung, ökonomischen Aspekten von Technologie, und Aussenpolitik und Diplomatie. Der zweite Teil behandelt die Auswirkungen von neuen Technologien auf militärische Kapazitäten, strategische Optionen, und Militärdoktrinen in Krieg und Frieden. Der dritte Teil konzentriert sich auf regulatorische Herausforderungen, die aus der Implementierung und der globalen Weiterverbreitung von Technologie resultieren. Der letzte Teil schliesslich beschäftigt sich mit den Herausforderungen für den Staat im Umgang mit neuen und noch in der Entwicklung befindlicher Technologien, vorrangig in den sensiblen Bereich der Rüstungsbeschaffung und des nachrichtendienstlichen Einsatzes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literatur für die einzelnen Sitzungen wird auf Moodle bereitgestellt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture is being supported by a website on Moodle. If you have any questions, please contact Quentin Merle, quentin.merle@sipo.gess.ethz.ch. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 851-0196-00L | Philosophy of Pure and Applied Mathematics: From Foundations to Practice | W | 3 credits | 2S | Y. P.‑H. Hamami | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course is a general introduction to the philosophy of mathematics for science, mathematics and engineering students. It will introduce the main views and debates on the nature of mathematics present in contemporary philosophy. A special focus will be put on questions pertaining to the foundations of mathematics as well as on philosophical issues emerging from actual mathematical practice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The objective of this course is to help students develop a reflective stance on what mathematics is and on its special place in the landscape of human knowledge. We expect students to be able to report the main philosophical conceptions of what mathematics is. We also expect them to be familiar with key debates in the philosophy of mathematics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course is a general introduction to the philosophy of mathematics for science, mathematics and engineering students. It will introduce the main views and debates on the nature of mathematics present in contemporary philosophy. A special focus will be put on questions pertaining to the foundations of mathematics as well as on philosophical issues emerging from the actual practice of mathematics. The course is composed of four parts. Part I: Foundations of Mathematics. In this first part of the course, we will present the debates concerning the foundations of mathematics at the turn of the twentieth century. We will review the three main philosophical conceptions of mathematics developed during this period: logicism, formalism and intuitionism. Part II: Ontology and Epistemology of Mathematical Objects What is the nature of mathematical objects? And how can we acquire knowledge about them? Here we will present several ways of approaching these questions. We will discuss philosophical views that conceive mathematical objects as similar to physical objects, as creations of the human mind, as fictional characters, and as places in larger structures. We will see the strengths and weaknesses of these different views. Part III: Philosophy of Mathematical Practice In this part of the course, we will be concerned with a recent movement in the philosophy of mathematics dealing with the actual practice of mathematics. We will see two trends of research developed within this tradition. The first one aims to explain how we can think and reason mathematically with non-linguistic representations such as diagrams and symbolic notations. The second one asks whether there could be such things as explanations in mathematics and if yes what they are. The paradigmatic examples we will discuss here are mathematical proofs that not only establish that a theorem is true but also explain why it is true. Part IV: The Applicability of Mathematics to the Natural World It is a truism that mathematics is used everywhere in the natural and social sciences. But how come that mathematics applies so well to the natural world? If mathematics is just a pure game with symbols, or a pure invention of the human mind, it seems difficult to explain why it is so useful when formulating scientific theories about the world. In this part of the course, we will discuss this problem known as the applicability of mathematics, and we will see different philosophical solutions that have been developed to address it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0763-00L | Supervised Research (Law, Economics, and Data Science) | W | 3 credits | E. Ash, S. Galletta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This is a supervised student project for 3 ECTS, supervised by the professorship of Elliott Ash (D-GESS). Students will adapt tools from econometrics and machine learning to questions in law, data science, and social science. Students must have some data science and/or statistics experience. Some programming experience in Python, Stata, or R is required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Apply tools from data science and social science to a new project, potentially in a group, to develop a paper or app. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Some programming experience in Python, Stata, or R is required. Some experience with data science or statistics is required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 851-0252-10L | Project in Behavioural Finance Particularly suitable for students of D-MTEC. | W | 3 credits | 2S | S. Andraszewicz, C. Hölscher, A. C. Roberts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | In this seminar, students will study cognitive processes, behaviour and the underlying biological response to financial decisions. Research methods such as asset market experiments, lottery games, risk preference assessment, psychometrics, neuroimaging and psychophysiology of decision processes will be discussed. Financial bubbles and crashes will be the core interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This course has four main goals: 1) To learn about the most important topics within Behavioural Finance 2) To learn to effectively select, review and present information using modern telecommunication tools 3) To practice working on group projects in hybrid working conditions (online + in-person) 4) To solve an applied behavioral finance business case stemming from an industry partner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course does not contain mandatory reading. Instead, it offers suggested literature that provides guidance to the students who, prepare a presentation on core topics in behavioral finance. The point of this exercise is to critically select the most relevant information on a given topic and present to non-expert educated colleagues. At the same time, the audience learns about the key topics in behavioral finance. Every session involves a discussion moderated and supported by the lecturers. Throughout the semester, students work on solutions to real business cases stemming from a company partner. They can receive feedback and guidance from project leaders of the industry partner and from the academic supervisors. In the final meeting of the semester, students pitch solutions to their business cases. The course takes place entirely online. The objective is to prepare the students for the future work in online and hybrid arrangements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students from all domains of ETH and all levels of education are welcome in the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 851-0738-00L | Intellectual Property: Introduction Particularly suitable for students of D-CHAB, D-INFK, D-ITET, D-MAVT, D- MATL, D-MTEC. | W | 2 credits | 2V | M. Schweizer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course provides an introduction to Swiss and European intellectual property law (trademarks, copyright, patent and design rights). The legal principles are developed based on current cases. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The aim of this course is to enable students at ETH Zurich to recognize which rights may protect their creations, and which rights may be infringed as a result of their activities. Students should learn to assess the risks and opportunities of intellectual property rights in the development and marketing of new products. To put them in this position, they need to know the prerequisites and scope of protection afforded by the various intellectual property rights as well as the practical difficulties involved in the enforcement of intellectual property rights. This knowledge is imparted based on current rulings and cases. Another goal is to enable the students to participate in the current debate over the goals and desirability of protecting intellectual creations, particularly in the areas of copyright (keywords: fair use, Creative Commons, Copyleft) and patent law (software patents, patent trolls, patent thickets). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 363-0565-00L | Principles of Macroeconomics | W | 3 credits | 2V | J.‑E. Sturm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course examines the behaviour of macroeconomic variables, such as gross domestic product, unemployment and inflation rates. It tries to answer questions like: How can we explain fluctuations of national economic activity? What can economic policy do against unemployment and inflation? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | This lecture will introduce the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory and explain their relevance to every-day economic problems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course helps you understand the world in which you live. There are many questions about the macroeconomy that might spark your curiosity. Why are living standards so meagre in many African countries? Why do some countries have high rates of inflation while others have stable prices? Why have some European countries adopted a common currency? These are just a few of the questions that this course will help you answer. Furthermore, this course will give you a better understanding of the potential and limits of economic policy. As a voter, you help choose the policies that guide the allocation of society's resources. When deciding which policies to support, you may find yourself asking various questions about economics. What are the burdens associated with alternative forms of taxation? What are the effects of free trade with other countries? How does the government budget deficit affect the economy? These and similar questions are always on the minds of policy makers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The course Moodle page contains announcements, course information and lecture slides. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The set-up of the course will closely follow the book of N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2023), Economics, Cengage Learning, 6th Edition. This book can also be used for the course '363-0503-00L Principles of Microeconomics' (Filippini). Besides this textbook, the slides, lecture notes and problem sets will cover the content of the lecture and the exam questions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 363-0503-00L | Principles of Microeconomics GESS (Science in Perspective): This lecture is for MSc students only. BSc students register for 351-1109-00L Einführung in die Mikroökonomie. | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Filippini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course introduces basic principles, problems and approaches of microeconomics. This provides the students with reflective and contextual knowledge on how societies use scarce resources to produce goods and services and ensure a (fair) distribution. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The learning objectives of the course are: (1) Students must be able to discuss basic principles, problems and approaches in microeconomics. (2) Students can analyse and explain simple economic principles in a market using supply and demand graphs. (3) Students can contrast different market structures and describe firm and consumer behaviour. (4) Students can identify market failures such as externalities related to market activities and illustrate how these affect the economy as a whole. (5) Students can also recognize behavioural failures within a market and discuss basic concepts related to behavioural economics. (6) Students can apply simple mathematical concepts on economic problems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The resources on our planet are finite. The discipline of microeconomics therefore deals with the question of how society can use scarce resources to produce goods and services and ensure a (fair) distribution. In particular, microeconomics deals with the behaviour of consumers and firms in different market forms. Economic considerations and discussions are not part of classical engineering and science study programme. Thus, the goal of the lecture "Principles of Microeconomics" is to teach students how economic thinking and argumentation works. The course should help the students to look at the contents of their own studies from a different perspective and to be able to critically reflect on economic problems discussed in the society. Topics covered by the course are: - Supply and demand - Consumer demand: neoclassical and behavioural perspective - Cost of production: neoclassical and behavioural perspective - Welfare economics, deadweight losses - Governmental policies - Market failures, common resources and public goods - Public sector, tax system - Market forms (competitive, monopolistic, monopolistic competitive, oligopolistic) - International trade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes, exercises and reference material can be downloaded from Moodle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2023), "Economics", 6th edition, South-Western Cengage Learning. For students taking only the course 'Principles of Microeconomics' there is a shorter version of the same book: N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2023), "Microeconomics", 6th edition, South-Western Cengage Learning. Complementary: R. Pindyck and D. Rubinfeld (2018), "Microeconomics", 9th edition, Pearson Education. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | GESS (Science in Perspective): This lecture is for MSc students only. BSc students register for 363-1109-00L Einführung in die Mikroökonomie. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 351-1109-00L | Introduction to Microeconomics GESS (Science in Perspective): This course is only for students enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme. Students enrolled in a Master’s degree programme may attend “Principles of Microeconomics” (LE 363-0503-00L) instead. Note for D-MAVT students: If you have already successfully completed “Principles of Microeconomics” (LE 363-0503-00L), then you will not be permitted to attend it again. | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Wörter, M. Beck | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course introduces basic principles, problems and approaches of microeconomics. It describes economic decisions of households and firms, and their coordination through perfectly competitive markets. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students acquire a deeper understanding of basic microeconomic models. They acquire the ability to apply these models in the interpretation of real world economic contexts. Students acquire a reflective and contextual knowledge on how societies use scarce resources to produce goods and services and distribute them among themselves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Market, budget constraint, preferences, utility function, utility maximisation, demand, technology, profit function, cost minimisation, cost functions, perfect competition, information and communication technologies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course material in e-learning environment https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/auth/shibboleth/login.php | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Varian, Hal R. (2014), Intermediate Microeconomics, W.W. Norton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course "Einführung in die Mikroökonomie“ (363-1109-00L) is intended for Bachelor students and LE 363-0503-00 "Principles of Microeconomics" for Master students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 851-0742-00L | Contract Design I You can find all course materials and the most recent announcements on Moodle. Please log in to Moodle using your ETH or UZH credentials. Then search for "Contract Design I (851-0742-00L; Fall 2023)" and enroll. The password is "ContractDesign01". It is NOT a legal drafting class focused on contractual language. Number of participants limited to 160. Max 80 ETHZ and 80 UZH Students | W | 3 credits | 2V | A. Stremitzer, A. Tacconelli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Contract Design I is taught by Professor Stremitzer and aims to bridge the gap between economic contract theory, contract law, and the writing of real-world contracts. In this course, we take a systematic approach to contract design. This means we first analyze the economic environment in which a transaction takes place and then engineer contracts that achieve the desired outcome. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Contracts are agreements between parties to engage in transactions. A good contract creates value by giving parties the right incentives to meet their objectives. A good contract designer scrutinizes the economic situation in which parties find themselves and tailors the contract to the challenges at hand. To help you become sophisticated contract designers, we draw from insights for which more than half a dozen Nobel Prizes were awarded in the past two decades and transfer them to the art of writing real-world contracts. In other words, Contract Design will provide you with analytical tools to design contracts that help you be better lawyers, business leaders, and startup founders. We will cover topics such as moral hazard, adverse selection, elicitation mechanisms, relationship-specific investments, and relational contracting and apply the theoretical insights to real-life case studies ranging from purchases & sales of assets, oil & gas exploration, movie financing, production & distribution, construction & development, M&A deals, venture capital financing, to executive compensation and many other types of transactions. The course follows a flipped-classroom model: You will watch learning videos specifically produced for this course ahead of class. We will use class time to discuss real-world case studies. The videos will be made available before the lecture each week and need to be watched ahead of coming to class. Computer-graded quizzes at the beginning of each class will test students’ understanding of the concepts introduced in the videos. As the emphasis of this class is on class discussion, attendance is mandatory. Absent important reasons, you cannot miss class more than twice. The lectures will be recorded but only made available to those who miss lectures with excused absence. For ETH students: Your grade will consist of two parts: 1) You will take weekly computer-based quizzes during class time. Thus, it is important that you attend the lectures to be able to finish the quizzes and pass this course. 2) You compose short responses to take-home questions on case studies we assign and upload them ahead of class (Pass/Fail). Note that UZH and UNISG students enrolling in this course need to earn more ECTS for completing this course than ETH students (due to curricula reasons). This is why UZH and UNISG students must complete a written assignment in addition to the weekly quizzes and take-home questions. UZH students also have to complete an additional group project. UZH and UNISG students should check out the description of the class at their respective home institutions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts, prerecorded videos, slides, case studies, and other materials available on a dedicated webpage: contractdesign.org. Access to this webpage is free of charge for ETH students as ETH purchased a license for ETH students. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Attendance is mandatory. You are only allowed to miss two lectures unless there are special circumstances. Contract Design I is available to ETH students through the Science in Perspective (SiP) Program of D-GESS. This course is particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH, D-BAUG, D-CHAB, DMATH, D-MTEC, D-INFK, and D-MAVT. If you have any questions regarding the course, please write an email to the teaching assistants, Lucas Gericke (lucas.gericke@gess.ethz.ch) or Serge von Steiger (serge.vonsteiger@gess.ethz.ch). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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