Teaching

Sections implement curricula that align with the disciplinary and interdisciplinary skill profiles required by the economy and society, as well as by research bodies and institutions. The various forms of teaching (lectures, exercises, laboratories, projects, etc.) build upon prior learning and prepare students for the next stages of their academic path.

At the doctoral level, training takes place within doctoral programs overseen by the Doctoral School

For each curriculum and each course, the learning outcomes are clearly set out, transparent, ambitious and demanding. Course content must match the learning outcomes stated at the start of the course.

The credits associated with a course reflect the average workload required for a student to successfully complete it. At EPFL, one ECTS credit corresponds to a total of 25–30 hours of work (lectures, exercises, practical work, projects, revision, exams, and individual study).(1)

Whatever the course format, the service concerned by the organisation of studies is responsible for ensuring the safety of those who participate. Laboratory sessions, practical work, work placements and excursions/field trips must be organised with rigor so as to reduce the risk of accidents. The department of Security, Safety and Facilities Operations (DSE) offers specific assistance (see “Safety, Prevention and Health“).

(1) An ECTS credit is proportional to the volume of work required, whether in the form of lectures, exercises, laboratories, projects, or independent study. The ECTS system is based on the principle that the workload of a full-time student during one academic year corresponds to 60 credits. Since the workload of a student enrolled in a full-time study program in Europe generally amounts to approximately 1,500 to 1,800 hours per year, the value of one credit corresponds to roughly 25 to 30 hours of work (according to CRUS guidelines).

The assessments, pedagogically designed, regularly updated, and methodologically reliable, are used to verify that students have achieved the intended learning outcomes. They cover the course content and its prerequisites. They ensure the following principles:

• the grading conditions are the same for all students enrolled in a course.
• each individual may review their own corrected and graded assessments.
• written and oral exam protocols, reports, and exam scripts are stored securely, inaccessible to unauthorized persons, and archived in accordance with legal requirements (LEX 2.6.1, art. 10).

The authors of written work guarantee its originality and are required to quote their sources according to the rules (LEX 2.6.1). Lecturers also ensure, as far as possible, that they cite their sources in their course materials.

They endeavour to identify all attempts at fraud by students by immediately reporting any suspected breach of the disciplinary ordinance to the Section or Programme Director concerned for PhD courses, and to the Legal services of the Vice Presidency for Academic Affairs.

The courses offered by EPFL are regularly evaluated according to a dedicated procedure. Moreover, the Sections, doctoral programmes and their training offers are regularly subject to quality assessment by peers.

EPFL implements the support measures necessary for enabling students with disabilities to follow the curriculum and participate in exams without being placed at a disadvantage, unless the measures required for such support are deemed disproportionate. The course objectives must be met and cannot be modified due to a disability.

No assurances of admission should ever be given before the official decision, regardless of the study level (Bachelor, Master, PhD or Continuing Education).

Lecturers asked to provide a letter of reference ensure that it covers only those elements which are verifiable and give the reference directly to the final recipient. In case of a refusal to provide such a letter, the student who has made the request will be informed accordingly.

The grades for session exams are systematically and exclusively notified to the students by the Registrar’s Office (SAC). Any informal communication of results (e.g. after an oral exam or project defence) is prohibited.

Any information relating to a student who can be identified or is identifiable by EPFL (such as SCIPER number, email address, form and content of an exam response, result obtained, file note concerning the student, email sent by the student, etc.) is considered personal data. This information must be handles in accordance with the legal provisions on the protection of personal data. For this reason, it is imperative that all appropriate technical and organisational measures be taken. In particular, access to documents relating to a student (copy of an examination, for example) shall be reserved for those for whom access is objectively necessary for carrying out their role within EPFL. It is also noted that documents shall be held under key in a locked storage area. For dematerialised files, it is essential to provide at least one access with password (see chapter on “Information security and data protection”). It is also necessary to use a storage solution offered or approved by EPFL, if possible, one specifically dedicated to the storage of academic materials.