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Transdisciplinary Case Study
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:37
Abstract
This course is a problem-oriented and research-based teaching activity that takes place in a real-world setting. Students work independently in groups, apply different methods of data collection and analysis, and engage intensively with stakeholders.In 2023, the case is Seychelles. The overarching theme is sustainable land use, examining tourism as a relevant land use-related industry..
Objective
Students learn how to plan and conduct research in a real-world context. This includes structuring ill-defined and wicked problems, developing research questions, designing research plans, writing research reports, applying qualitative and quantitative methods, working in interdisciplinary and inter-cultural teams, and organizing transdisciplinary cooperation between science and society.
Content
Seychelles is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean, consisting of about 115 islands spread over a sea area of 1.4 million km2. SIDS share some common characteristics. They are small in size and economy, remote and isolated from international markets, vulnerable to external disturbances and effects of climate change. Seychelles is highly dependent on an intact natural environment. Tourism and fishery are the main economic pillars. Seychelles has recently joined the category of high-income countries, but still has many characteristics of a developing country. With an area of 450 km2 used by almost 100,000 inhabitants and 300-400 thousand tourists per year, land is a scarce commodity in the Seychelles. Accordingly, the pressure on land use is high. Infrastructure, housing, industry, transport, recreation, agriculture, nature conservation and tourism compete for the scarce land. Tourism takes up a lot of land, especially along the coastal strip, generates traffic and waste, requires energy and other resources and is heavily dependent on imports. On the other hand, tourism creates jobs, income and tax substrate. The number of tourist arrivals has grown strongly at rates of 10 percent per year over the last 10 years. The tourism strategy envisages further growth. This should be in line with sustainability goals. Rethinking tourism in the Seychelles: Possible topics are e.g., synergies between agriculture and tourism; social impacts of tourism on local society; (environmental) impacts of tourism use including the development of mountain areas and offshore tourism facilities; the relationship between tourism and transport. The case study is prepared in close cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), which is the main partner of the case study, to ensure that the research is relevant to the local context. A second key partner is the local University of Seychelles. It is again planned that a cohort of local students will participate, especially during the field phase. This is the fourth transdisciplinary case study organized in Seychelles. In 2016 and 2018 we looked at solid waste management. In 2021, the theme was Seychelles’ transport system. See: https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/former/cs2016.html https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/former/cs2018.html https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/former/cs2021.html For further information about the case study 2023: https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/current.html
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 02.01.2023
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Transdisciplinary Case Study
In addition to the compulsory weekly Wednesday slots (08h15-09h00, online, & 14h15-18h00, classroom, plus approx. 2 hrs. homework per week), the course is organised as block course with the following compulsory elements:
- Two block days: Fri/Sat, 21/22 April
- Three block weeks (after the semester end) from Mon-Fri, 3-21 July
Note that there will be an information event on the tdCS23: Mon, 5 December, 17h15-18h00, room CHN building G 42
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210 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Sustainable Agricultural Development (The minor Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development was revised and renamed for the academic year 22/23. The course units that were previously offered are still part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development minor.)
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Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection. The students have themselves to check whether they meet the admission requirements for a course.)
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