FAQs (Forms & Regulations)

Click on the questions to see the answer.

What is a 'Doctoral Studies Course'?

- not relevant for doctoral students at D-Math (ETH) doing their doctoral studies according to the NEW Ordinance on the doctorate (which came into force on January 01, 2022) -

A 'Doctoral Studies Course' is an informal course designed/defined by your advisor, which is not listed in the graduate course program of the ZGSM. Example of such courses are retreats (summer/winter schools), conferences, or working group seminars. You can earn up to two credit units for such a course. It is up to your advisor to determine if it is one or two units. During your PhD studies a total of 4 credit units can be earned with 'Doctoral Studies Courses'.

What can I do if the instructor of a course, listed in the graduate course program of the ZGSM, is not around anymore for signing the course list?

- not relevant for doctoral students at D-Math (ETH) doing their doctoral studies according to the NEW Ordinance on the doctorate (which came into force on January 01, 2022) -

You can ask your advisor to sign instead of the instructor in case your advisor can confirm that you have attended the course.

What can I do if the number of credit units one can earn for a course that is listed in the graduate course program, is not mentioned?

Please contact Jessica Bolsinger at info@zgsm.ch.

How many working hours correspond to one credit unit?

25 - 30 working hours correspond to one credit unit. However, it is up to the instructor of the course to decide what are the requirements for a PhD student for passing the course.

Can I obtain credit units for attending a research seminar?

This is not possible.

I attended the exercise classes offered along with the course. Do I get additional credit units?

No credit units can be earned for attending exercise classes.

Why can I earn at most three credit units for a course of four hours a week, listed in the Graduate Course Program?

During your graduate studies you have to earn only twelve credit units. For this reason no more than three credit units can be earned per course. Note that courses of four hours a week that come with a written or oral exam are primarily directed at master students.