The Master of Science in Engineering comprises a total of 90 ECTS points, which is equivalent to a time expenditure totalling 2700 hours. You will earn 30 credits by attending the theory modules. Another 30 ECTS poins are based on practical application of the knowledge acquired at the institutes and centres with which you are affiliated. Passing the Master's thesis will earn you 30 additional credits. The Master of Science in Engineering therefore offers a particularly high level of practical relevance.

The theoretical training with 30 credits comprises around one third of the Master's degree programme. There is a variety of modules to chose from. 

At least ten modules must be selected from the full range: three FTP-modules (fundamental theoretical principles), five TSM-modules (technical scientific specilisation) and two contextual modules. Selection takes place on the basis of an agreement with your advisor. This results in a study plan optimised to suit your individual study objectives. The planning software MSE-Tools serves as an aid in this process.

Foundation modules extend your basic mathematical-scientific knowledge. Depending on the profile and the chosen field of expertise, a model plan of study is recommended. For each field of expertise, three mandatory modules are defined which you must take in all cases. Deviations in the study programme are permitted.

The modules for the technical focus promote the degree of specialisation. You must take at least five modules. Depending on the profile, the profile commission makes recommendations which facilitate the selection process. The institutes and centres can declare individual modules as mandatory.

Contextual modules serve the purpose of interdisciplinary broadening of knowledge. These modules convey important non-technical themes from the fields of management, quality assurance and jurisprudence. You must take at least two of these modules.

Practice-oriented in-depth specialisation accounts for one third of the course of study. This enables you to acquire targeted practical know-how in an environment characterised by real industrial research and development projects. You will normally work on two projects. In the first, you will act as a team member of a development group. You will be allocated a specific task and expertly supported by lecturers or experienced scientific staff. During the second project, you will be allocated additional conceptual tasks and greater development responsibility.

The supplementary events (EVA), from which you earn at least six credits, are also part of the in-depth specialisation block. EVA events are special theory modules designed to help promote development of your specialism. These modules are always organised by the institute/centre where you are studying. However, you can also take suitable modules offered by other universities.

• AI for Anomaly Detection in Complex Systems: a Hands-On Tutorial(PDF 182,2 KB) (rEVA_AnDet)
• Aircraft Structural Integrity(PDF 115,8 KB) (rEVA_AcStruct)
• Advanced Software Production Seminar(PDF 132,5 KB) (rEVA_SoftPro)
• Computer Systems Performance(PDF 153,6 KB) (rEVA_SysPerf)
• Computational science and engineering for air conditioning systems(PDF 166,1 KB) (rEVA_CE4AC)
• Computational science and engineering for intelligent energy buildings(PDF 195,1 KB) (rEVA_CE4IB)
• Cost management in product development(PDF 165,3 KB) (rEVA_CMPD)
• Engineering Practice within Asian and Swiss Culture (MSE Asia Module)(PDF 131,8 KB) (mEVA_Asia)
• Future Networks and Security(PDF 156,9 KB) (rEVA_FutNWSec)
• Future oriented technology analysis(PDF 194,3 KB) (rEVA_FOTA)
• Hands-on Experiences in Spectroscopy, Interferometry, and Light Emission(PDF 132,6 KB) (rEVA_PhotLab)
• HealthTech Summer School(PDF 160,7 KB) (rEVA_HealthTech)
• Information Security Seminar(PDF 223,0 KB) (rEVA_InfoSecSeminar)
• Innovathon: The Digitalization of Mobility(PDF 168,7 KB) (rEVA_DoM)
• Methodology seminar: Quantitative methods from the fields of business engineering and data science(PDF 249,0 KB) (rEVA_MethSem)
• Mobile UX Design(PDF 154,4 KB) (rEVA_MUX)
• Realtime DAQ and Control using LabVIEW(PDF 146,1 KB) (rEVA_LabVIEW)
• Safety and Dependability(PDF 162,6 KB) (rEVA_SaD)
• Seminar on Recent Scientific Publications in Data Science(PDF 134,3 KB) (rEVA_SciPub)
• Supply Chain Master Simulation(PDF 158,8 KB) (rEVA_SCMS)
• System Dynamics Simulation of Socio-Technical Transitions(PDF 157,8 KB) (rEVA_SimTech)
• Thermo Fluid Dynamic Model Development(PDF 170,7 KB) (rEVA_OpenFOAM1)​
• Thermo Fluid Dynamic Model Development(PDF 168,3 KB) (rEVA_OpenFOAM2)​

External MSE students (i.e. students not enrolled at the ZHAW) wishing to attend complementary modules offered by the School of Engineering must have their attendance confirmed by their home university.

Please ask your degree course director or degree course secretariat to confirm your attendance by sending an e-mail to mse.engineering@zhaw.ch.

If you have any questions on complementary modules or would like to make an advance reservation to attend a module, please contact Reto Knaack, School of Engineering MSE degree-course director.

You will use the Master’s thesis to prove your ability to independently complete a comprehensive piece of work which meets demanding methodological, conceptual, and scientific criteria. You will also be able to present the results in both written and spoken form.

The Master's thesis is carried out as far as possible as a third-party-financed project in collaboration with an industrial partner. Ideally, you will assume the role of a project manager. You will be largely responsible for the conceptual development of the project. Within the scope of the thesis, you will often lead a small team – generally as co-supervisor of a project or Bachelor's thesis – covering some of the subject areas of your Master's project.