
Students interact enthusiastically in the classroom. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
A two-week intensive English summer course, "Life and Organic Chemistry," led by Dr. Uwe Schneider, an assistant professor at the University of Edinburgh, has inspired a passion for innovation among 52 undergraduate students majoring in applied chemistry at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU).
Dr. Schneider's "project-based" teaching approach immersed students in cutting-edge topics, from hydrogen activation to plastic biodegradation. Utilizing techniques such as molecular orbital diagrams and reaction pathway visualization, he guided students to explore the intricate transformations of organic matter within living systems, uncovering the chemical essence underlying life itself. This fostered interdisciplinary thinking, encouraging students to consider chemistry's intersection with life science, medicine, materials science, and environmental studies.
In the final days of the course, students participated in lively group discussions, tasked with proposing innovative solutions to pressing issues. By combining insights from at least two course topics, they researched current developments, designed solutions, and presented their findings on hand-drawn posters.
The course culminated in a vibrant defense session, where each team delivered a five-minute presentation and a 15-minute Q&A session in English. A panel comprising teaching assistants, Dr. Schneider, and fellow students evaluated the projects based on scientific rigor, innovation, visualization, and teamwork. The students' creativity and insightful solutions earned Dr. Schneider's praise, highlighting the immense potential of chemistry in addressing real-world challenges.