Board and Commissions

The Department Conference is the department’s highest governing body. It approves the planning of the scientific area and study-related regulations, decides on doctoral cases, teaching assignments and professorships, adopts the Rules of Procedure and determines the composition of committees. It elects the Director of Studies as well as members of the Department Management and committees, approves professorship profiles, proposes appointment committees, nominates the Head of Department for appointment and decides on affiliations.

Composition: Full, associate and assistant professors, as well as titular professors with permanent employment at ETH Zurich, one representative of the other members of the teaching staff, eight representatives of the academic staff, eight representatives of students and auditors, two representatives of administrative and technical staff, Head of Study Administration for Computer Science and Department Manager.

The Department Board oversees the department’s operations and makes key decisions on resources, the Rules of Procedure of the Game Technology Center (GTC) and personnel matters. It approves applications for permanent positions for scientific, administrative and technical staff, decides on the allocation of courses and approves invitations to visiting professors. It also provides input on requests for the acquisition of scientific equipment.

Composition: Head of Department, Deputy Head of Department, Director of Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, two full or associate professors, Department Manager and one experienced member of the permanent technical/scientific staff.

The Professors’ Conference deals with the appointment, promotion and direct appointment of professors as well as the awarding of the professor title. It reviews habilitation applications, submits proposals for the granting of the venia legendi and honorary doctorates as well as for appointments as honorary councillors and participates in related honours. In addition, on the proposal of the Resources Committee, it adopts the department’s regulations on the internal allocation of resources and submits proposals for the appointment of assistant professors as associate or full professors. It may comment on promotions and direct appointments.

Composition: All full, associate and assistant professors as well as titular professors with permanent employment.

The Strategy Commission monitors developments in teaching and research within the department and prepares the department’s development plan for submission to the Department Conference. It also carries out other tasks assigned by the Department Board and advises the department on strategic matters, particularly professorship planning and collaboration with external funding bodies.

Composition: Head of Department, Deputy Head of Department, Director of Studies, one representative from each university group, Department Manager and one elected member of the Resource Committee.

The Resource Commission assumes the responsibilities of the Department Board with regard to resource planning and allocation. It carries out tasks on behalf of the Professors’ Conference, prepares resource allocations for the Department Board, defines the criteria for the administration and use of the department library and regularly consults with the heads of the institutes. It also ensures transparent information on the internal allocation of resources.

Composition: Head of Department, Deputy Head of Department, Director of Studies, Deputy Director of Studies, two full or associate professors, Department Manager and one experienced member of the permanent technical/scientific staff.

The Teaching Commission is responsible for the quality and organisation of teaching across all degree programmes. At least once per semester, it provides the Department Conference with feedback on courses and teaching assignments, reviews course evaluations and proposes quality assurance measures. It also proposes members of the Admissions Committees to the Department Conference. The commission ensures that degree programmes are manageable for students and contributes to their ongoing development.

Composition: Four members of the teaching staff (including the Director of Studies), three members of the academic staff and three students.

The Grading Conference is responsible for assessing the Basic Examinations and operates in accordance with the provisions of external page ETH Zurich’s Performance Assessment Ordinance (in German).

Composition: Lecturers responsible for first year examinations and examination blocks of the Bachelor’s degree programmes (including the Director of Studies), excluding continuing education programmes, and examiners (with representation permitted in accordance with the implementing provisions of the Performance Assessment Ordinance).

The Doctoral Committee is responsible, among other things, for admitting candidates to doctoral studies, approving research proposals and co-examiners and nominating candidates for awards.

Composition: Three full, associate or assistant professors.

The Admission Committee assess candidates’ academic background and suitability for the respective Master’s degree programme. Each committee carries out its responsibilities in accordance with the regulations governing the respective Master’s degree programme.

Composition: Director of Studies and Study Coordinator (permanent members).

The elected members depend on the respective degree programme:

Master’s degree programme in Computer Science
Eight elected professors (including the Chair), with balanced representation from the institutes.
Download Regulations (PDF, 340 KB)

Master’s degree programme in Cyber Security
Three elected professors (including the Chair).
Download Regulations (PDF, 442 KB)

Master’s degree programme in Data Science
Committee as defined in the programme regulations, with nominations from the institutes submitted to the Director of Studies.
Download Regulations (PDF, 300 KB)