VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Machine Learning for Finance and Complex Systems
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:14
Abstract
This course introduces machine learning methods that can be used for modelling and analysing complex systems with a particular focus on financial applications.
Objective
The course has two main objectives: (i) theoretical - to provide an overview of machine learning methods with a focus on complex systems and financial applications; (ii) practical - to allow students to gain practical experience by working on a coding project based on a theoretical topic of part (i).
Content
Complex systems, empirical facts in finance, introduction to PyTorch, ensemble learning, neural networks, clustering, Graph Cut, matrix factorisation, reinforcement learning, MCMC, LSTM, attention mechanism, neural ODEs, PINNs, transformers, Black–Litterman model.
Resources
Literature
[1] Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio and Aaron Courville (2020). Deep Learning. MIT Press. [2] Pankaj Mehta et al. (2019). A high-bias, low-variance introduction to machine learning for physicists. Physics Reports 810 (2019): 1-124. [3] Stefan Nagel (2021). Machine Learning in Asset Pricing. Princeton University Press. [4] Giuseppe A. Paleologo (2025). The Elements of Quantitative Investing. John Wiley & Sons, 2025.. [5] Adam Paszke et al. (2019). Pytorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Library. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 32. [6] Peter Richmond, Jürgen Mimkes and Stefan Hutzler (2013). Econophysics and Physical Economics. Oxford University Press, USA. [7] Ruey S. Tsay (2005). Analysis of Financial Time Series. John Wiley & Sons.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Website
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 11.02.2026
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Machine Learning for Finance and Complex Systems |
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed. All courses listed as core courses (not electives) for one of the following ETH MSc programmes, MSc Statistics, MSc Physics, MSc Computer Science, MSc (Applied) Mathematics, MSc Neural Systems and Computation, MSc Robotics, Systems, and Control, MSc Data Science, MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, can be taken as an elective course in the MSc CSE without prior permission.)
-
-
-
Electives (For the Master's degree in Applied Mathematics the following additional condition (not manifest in myStudies) must be obeyed: At least 14 of the required 26 credits from core courses and electives must be acquired in areas of applied mathematics and further application-oriented fields.)
-
-
-
-
-
Track: Signal Processing and Machine Learning (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Signal Processing and Machine Learning ", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
-
Specialization Courses (These specialization courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Signal Processing and Machine Learning", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. Semester / Research Projects are not allowed in this category. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialization courses during the MSc EEIT.)
-
-
-
-
Statistics Master (The following courses belong to the curriculum of the Master's Programme in Statistics. The corresponding credits do not count as external credits even for course units where an enrolment at ETH Zurich is not possible.)
-
Quantitative Finance Master (see Students in the Joint Degree Master's Programme "Quantitative Finance" must book UZH modules directly at the UZH. Those modules are not listed here.)
-
-
MF (Mathematical Methods in Finance) (For possible additional course offerings see )
-
-
-
Doctorate Mathematics (More Information at: )
-
Subject Specialisation (The list of courses (together with the allocated credit points) eligible for doctoral students is published each semester in the newsletter of the ZGSM.)
-
Graduate School (Official website of the Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics: )
-
-
-
-