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363-0387-00L 3 Credits DS , BSC , MSC , NDS D-USYS , D-MTEC , D-MAVT , D-GESS , D-ARCH , D-ITET , D-HEST
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Corporate Sustainability

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann, PD Dr. Johannes Meuer
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:33

Abstract

The lecture explores current challenges of corporate sustainability and prepares students to become champions for sustainable business practices. In the Autumn Semester 2020, the lecture will be taught fully online. During the lecture phase, students will learn central concepts of corporate sustainability; during the track they work in teams on solving sustainability challenges.

Objective

After completing this course, students will be able to: - Assess the limits and the potential of companies to sustainable development - Critically evaluate and formulate statements, decisions, and arguments in the context of corporate sustainability - Recognize and realize opportunities for corporate sustainability in a business environment

Content

The course has a lecture phase (week 1-6) and a track phase (week 7-13). During the lecture phase, students will learn about why corporate sustainability matters, complete several video tutorials and e-modules to understand important concepts of corporate sustainability, and critically apply these concepts in the context of a case study. The lecture phase builds the foundation for the track phase. During the track phase, students participate in one of four tracks in which researchers coach teams of 4-5 students towards a final project. Our ambition is that students improve their analytic and organizational skills and can confidently pursue corporate sustainability in a professional setting. Course participants share the result of their group work in a group puzzle session. The course concludes with a reflection session and the final exam. https://sustec.ethz.ch/teaching/lectures/corporate-sustainability.html

Resources

Lecture Notes

Presentation slides and video scripts will be available on Moodle.

Literature

The Syllabus for the lecture contains recommended readings for each session.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS , BSC , MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Digital
The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
The final exam will account for 60% of the grade. This year, the exam will be conducted as an online examination that the students may complete remotely. The open-web rule applies. The exam will be only in English.The e-modules (learning tasks) during the lecture phase are voluntary. They offer the opportunity to earn a voluntary bonus grade. Completing all e-modules on time and earning a “pass grade” adds 0.25 points to your final exam grade (e.g. 4.75 a 5.00).The team task (compulsory continuous performance assessment) during the lecture phase is mandatory (pass/fail). Completing the team task is a requirement to continue in the track phase. The group exercise (compulsory continuous performance assessment) in the track phase will be graded and counts with 40% to the final grade.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Corporate Sustainability
The lecture takes place ONLINE via Zoom (recorded). The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
  • Wed 16:00-18:00 (ON LI NE)
  • Wed 16:00-18:00 (ON LI NE)
2 h weekly

Offered In