CAS ARI: Applied Technology R&D and Innovation
The Certificate of Advanced Studies ETH Applied Technology: R&D and Innovation (CAS ARI) provides participants with an understanding of the research and development process and develops relevant innovation skills.
The CAS ETH in Applied Technology: R&D and Innovation covers the nature of innovation and walks through processes to ideate with a strong focus on customer value. R&D organisations and processes and their interaction within the enterprise to successfully turn an idea into a market offering are discussed. In the context of innovation, co-creation and partnership, intellectual property, and standardisation are explained. Thought leaders from industry are sharing their expertise with the participants during interactive sessions.
Participants shall understand the relevance and structures of successful innovation. Exploring the complexity of innovation and the related R&D processes will help them to build and lead successful and innovative organisations, while de-risking such activities.
This CAS also prepares participants for the MAS in Applied Technology experimental project and Master’s thesis.
Participants complete 4 modules over 14 weeks from September to December. Classes are generally conducted in either a block format or blended learning format to minimize time away from work. Classes are held at ETH Zentrum campus every other week for one full day and one half day (typically Friday all day and Saturday morning), and the programme is thus well suited as a part-time study programme.
Total workload is approximately 300 hours and successful graduates earn a total of 10 ECTS credits.
Study language is 100% English.
Dr. Christopher Ganz and Prof. Dr. Ulrike Grossner
This course provides an introduction to research & development, both as a general activity and as a dedicated function within a corporation. Participants will learn how to organize, conduct and manage individual R&D projects as well as groups of projects. Special emphasis will be given to scientific and technical reporting. The course provides the framework of organization, managing and reporting of R&D projects and innovation initiatives. The module will be based on a self-study Polybook.
Dr. Christopher Ganz and Prof. Dr. Ulrike Grossner
The Innovation Opportunity Analysis course is designed as a practical introduction to evaluating technology-based innovation opportunities in a corporate setting. The course will cover several fundamental innovation frameworks and principles before diving deeper into individualized content using the principle of Guided Learning. The primary goal of the course is to develop the skills needed for identifying technology-based innovation opportunities and for planning successful innovation projects. An additional goal is to prepare participants for their Master’s thesis and for life-long learning in technology-based innovation.
Dr. Christopher Ganz and Prof. Dr. Ulrike Grossner
The inner working of the R&D organization by exploring roles and processes is investigated. The aim of this course is to develop the participants’ ability to articulate a coherent plan for R&D activities linked to the business needs of a corporation, and to set the environment to enable an efficient R&D organization. In most organizations, the R&D organization is the one that delivers the innovation to be brought to the market. In this module, we investigate the inner working of the R&D organization by exploring roles and processes. Since R&D almost always starts with significant uncertainties and unsolved technical problems, governing R&D has to account for these unknowns. As R&D processes take time in which the market environment may change in ways other than predicted at the beginning of a project, external influences have to be continuously monitored as well to enable market success.
Dr. Christopher Ganz and Prof. Dr. Ulrike Grossner
This module wraps up the various aspects of innovation beyond the own organization. The goal of this module is to complete the R&D and innovation framework and make the key points available in the context of the organizations' environment. Successful innovation builds on a whole ecosystem of contributors: customer co-creation, university collaboration, strategic partnerships, or start-up investments are just a few examples of activities where other players may expedite the innovation process. Other aspects of the environment of innovation covers intellectual property strategy, or standardization and certification. In addition to successfully operating in the existing business ecosystem, innovation may transform it, or even create new ecosystems, with innovative business models. In this module we will look at these various aspects of innovation beyond the own organization. This module will wrap up the CAS and put the material in context of the organization’s environment.
Please apply online through the ETH School for Continuing Education website.
After submitting the application and uploading supporting documentation, you will be asked to pay the application fee. See the Application section of our website for more information on How To Apply as well as Selection & Admission.
The deadline for applying to the CAS ETH ARI programme is 15 July (Application window: 15 April to 15 July)