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351-0778-00L 3 Credits BSC , DR , MSC D-USYS , D-MAVT , D-MTEC , D-ARCH , D-INFK , D-GESS , D-CHAB , D-ITET

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Discovering Management

Lecturers: Prof. em. Dr. Gudela Grote, Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann, Prof. Dr. Elgar Fleisch, Prof. Dr. Stefano Brusoni, Prof. Dr. Bart Clarysse, Prof. Dr. Torbjörn Netland, Prof. Dr. Yash Raj Shrestha, Dr. Laurens Piet T Vandeweghe, PD Dr. Patrick Tinguely

Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Gudela Grote, Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann, Prof. Dr. Elgar Fleisch, Caroline Ting, Prof. Dr. Stefano Brusoni, Prof. Dr. Bart Clarysse, Prof. Dr. Torbjörn Netland, Prof. Dr. Yash Raj Shrestha, Dr. Laurens Piet T Vandeweghe, PD Dr. Patrick Tinguely

Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01.

VVZ CR 4.07

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:49:09

Abstract

Discovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. By taking this course, students will enhance their understanding of management principles and the tasks that entrepreneurs and managers deal with. The course consists of theory and practice sessions, presented by a set of area specialists at D-MTEC.

Objective

The general objective of Discovering Management is to introduce students into the field of business management and entrepreneurship. In particular, the aims of the course are to: (1) broaden understanding of management principles and frameworks (2) advance insights into the sources of corporate and entrepreneurial success (3) develop skills to apply this knowledge to real-life managerial problems The course will help students to successfully take on managerial and entrepreneurial responsibilities in their carreers and / or appreciate the challenges that entrepreneurs and managers deal with.

Content

The course consists of a set of theory and practice sessions, which will be taught on a weekly basis. The course will cover business management knowledge in corporate as well as entrepreneurial contexts. The course consists of three blocks of theory and practice sessions: Discovering Strategic Management, Discovering Innovation Management, and Discovering HR and Operations Management. Each block consists of two or three theory sessions, followed by one practice session where you will apply the theory to a case. The theory sessions will follow a "lecture-style" approach and be presented by an area specialist within D-MTEC. Practical examples and case studies will bring the theoretical content to life. The practice sessions will introduce you to some real-life examples of managerial or entrepreneurial challenges. During the practice sessions, we will discuss these challenges in depth and guide your thinking through team coaching. Through small group work, you will develop analyses of each of the cases. Each group will also submit a "pitch" with a clear recommendation for one of the selected cases. The theory sessions will be assessed via a multiple choice exam.

Resources

Lecture Notes

All course materials (readings, slides, videos, and worksheets) will be made available to inscribed course participants through Moodle. These course materials will form the point of departure for the lectures, class discussions and team work.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 90 minutes
Aids: Only dictionary allowed. (No electronics)

The final presentation will be graded and counts for 30 % the final grade (compulsory performance assessment). The session examination counts 70 %.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Discovering Management Diese Lehrveranstaltung wird ab dem HS 2021 jährlich im HS angeboten. The lecture takes place in classroom, online via livestreaming or zoom and recorded.	Fri 08:15-11:00 (HG E 1.1)	3 h weekly

Offered In

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
- 5. Semester
  - Focus Specialization
    - Management, Technology and Economics (Focus Coordinators: Prof. Stefano Brusoni D-MTEC and Dr. Bastian Bergmann D-MTEC)
Chemistry Bachelor
- Electives (Students are free to choose from a range of D-CHAB chemistry courses appropriate to their level of study (please note admission requirements). In case of doubt, contact the student administration.)
  - Economics
Computer Science Bachelor
- Minor Courses
  - 3. Semester
  - 5. Semester
Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
- Social Sciences and Humanities
  - Electives
    - Module Economics
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor
- Electives (This is only a small selection. Other courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen. Please consult the "Richtlinien zu Projekten, Praktika, Seminare" (German only), published on our website ( ).)
  - Economics, Law and Management Electives (These subjects are particularly suitable for students planning to apply to the Master's Degree Program in Energy Science and Technology (MSc EST) or Management, Technology and Economics (MSc MTEC).)
Chemical Engineering Bachelor
- 5. Semester
  - Compulsory Subjects
    - Examination Block III
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
  - Electives (This is only a short selection. Other courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen in agreement with your tutor. As an alternative to the elective courses, students may do a second semester project or an internship in industry. Please consult your tutor.)
Management, Technology and Economics (General Courses)
- General Courses
Doctoral Department of Architecture (More Information at: )
- Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Courses
Doctoral Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )
- Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Courses
Science, Technology, and Policy Master
- Electives