Program Content Excellence Program

The program offers interdisciplinary courses in digital skills and technical knowledge, interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving, and critical reflection on all aspects of a digital society, including ethical, legal, and social aspects of digital transformation.
 

The Excellence Program begins with an approximately three-day kickoff course prior to the official start of classes in the fall semester. This is followed by various block courses and some semester-long courses, which are primarily held on-site at UZH. The courses conclude with various certificates of achievement (module exams, presentations, written papers, etc.). Fundamentals of digitalization and interdisciplinary research are taught. Examples include skills in data processing and analysis, data visualization, legal and ethical aspects of data management, and research methods in various disciplines.

For the implementation of the program the following modules are planned in the amount of 12 ECTS. The modules are interdisciplinary and are usually taught by at least two lecturers from different faculties (exceptions possible):

Mandatory courses

• DSI Boot Camp: Kickoff course (3 days, 1-2 weeks before start of lectures, incl. «How to check your research plan?» & DESAT-Tool (Data Protection, Ethics))
• Introduction to Data Regulation
• Strategy Lab Interdisciplinary Support Workshop
• Course «Professor Presentations» (presentation of research activities)
• Regular course «Interdisciplinary Reading Seminar» (PhD candidates present relevant papers from their disciplines, which are discussed from the perspectives of the different disciplines)
• Summer School (approx. 4-5 days)

Elective courses (in the scope of 4 ECTS)

• Data Management (data management, data management plans, etc.)
• Interdisciplinary Data Analysis & Visualization
• Algorithms & Machine Learning
• Digital & Mobile Health
• Digital Humanities
• Ethics & Reflection
• Cybersecurity
• Social Media and Politics
• Digital Sustainability ...