Study Guide

The curriculum of the MSc Climate Sciences requires you to collect 60 ECTS credits through different courses. There are compulsory courses (8 ECTS) and elective courses (52 ECTS). For the electives you can choose from a broad range of courses at the University of Bern as well as the ETH Zürich: 

• Elective Courses at UniBE (up to 52 ECTS): The list of all elective and compulsory courses at the UniBE can be found here. To find details about these courses and to enroll you need to use KSL/CTS (Core Teaching System, the University of Bern course catalog). KSL/ILIAS Introduction

• Elective Courses at ETHZ (up to 30 ECTS): The list of all the elective courses at the ETHZ can be downloaded here. To enroll you must register as a "Special Student" at the ETHZ: : Fill in the registration form (pdf, 68 kB) and send it to the address given in the form in the first week of the semester. You will then get a personal login to subscribe for courses at ETH Zurich (typically in the second week of the semester). Courses at ETHZ must be subscribed for within the fourth week of the semester. There is no registration fee and no charges for courses. More information and explanations about studying at ETHZ can be found on their rectorate's homepage. Please note that this registration must be made for every semester. Also, Graduate School of Climate Sciences offers reimbursement for travel expenses to courses held at ETHZ during two semesters of your choice. Details here.

• Elective Courses Upon Approval (up to 10 ECTS): If you wish to take courses which are not on the lists of elective courses at either UniBE or ETHZ then there is the possibility to take "Wild Card" courses. Eligible are courses at any University or the ETHZ, given that they fulfill certain requirements. The courses have to be approved by the studies director! For this send a request to the studies coordinator.

The UniBe also has extracurricular offers which require registration before the semester:

• Sports: The university offers a wide range of different sporting offers in which you can participate for free or for a small fee. There are different ability levels and different types of offers (Courses generally require registration before the beginning of the semester).

• Languages: The university offers multiple language courses. There are also special (free) german courses for foreign students and even courses for swiss german.

• WIFI: At the UniBE you can use the "eduroam" access points. Your login credentials are campusaccount@campus.unibe.ch (e.g. ma19p034@campus.unibe.ch) and you Campus Account password.

• Food: Most larger buildings of the university have a cafeteria which offers at least two meals (one vegetarian or vegan). The current menu can be seen here (german only).

• Microwaves: Many of the larger university buildings offer microwaves for students to use! You can find them for example in the Giub, UniS, vonRoll, ZSSw, Mittelstrasse, Subhüsli, Zähringer Migros and Coop PostParc .

• Locations: Here you can find the locations of all the university buildings and details about them.

• Libraries: The university offers multiple libraries you can search the catalogue here. 

• VPN: If you want to access resources of the university (e.g. Papers) from outside of the eduroam network you can use a VPN!

• Public Transport: Public Transport is a great way to get around in Switzerland. You can buy tickets directly on the SBB website or in their app. It can be quite pricey so make sure to look for supersaver tickets. If you plan on using public transport often have a look at the different monthly or yearly passes such as the GA, Half Fare Card or the seven25 travelcard!

• Living: Good Websites to look for shared flats are wgzimmer.ch, ronorp.net, and the website of the SUB. If you're looking for student housing there are several places available e.g. here. And if you are looking to rent a flat this website is a good starting point.

• Bicycles: Bicycles are a great way to get around in Bern. If you are looking for a second hand bicycle look at the "Velobörse" events of Provelo Schweiz! If you only need one occasionally PublicBike might be for you.