Quantcast – a Risk.net Cutting Edge podcast Walter Farkas Risk Quantcast MS
Dec 12, 2025
Walter Farkas, Director of the Master's in Quantitative Finance at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, shares insights on bridging academia and industry. He discusses the integration of industry lecturers to enhance practical learning and the importance of internships for students. Walter highlights a recent curriculum refresh that includes machine learning and data-driven methods. He also emphasizes the balance in topics between buy-side and sell-side exposure while fostering curiosity through hands-on projects. Finally, he reveals what traits they seek in applicants to ensure a strong program.
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Academic-Industry Teaching Blend
- ETH and University of Zurich combine academic rigor with industry practice by using many part-time industry lecturers.
- This mix ensures teaching is both theoretically sound and directly relevant to current market needs.
Plan Early For Industry Faculty
- Plan faculty schedules well in advance to accommodate industry lecturers' professional commitments.
- Commit involved industry lecturers and alumni to ensure smooth teaching delivery.
Dual-Institution Curriculum Rationale
- The program was created to bridge technical quantitative training and financial market knowledge.
- Pooling ETH's technical strength with University of Zurich's finance context produces versatile graduates.