Featured courses provide students with in-depth knowledge and experience

The 2017 Summer semester at SUSTech is the perfect opportunity for students to delve into their learning, practice scientific research, study art and many other topics. From the beginning of July, many students participated in various special summer projects, in order to broaden their horizons, enrich their experiences, expand their knowledge and cultivate independent learning and life skills.

The first stage was from June 19 to July 14, the second from July 24 to August 18, and the course duration was just about a month.

During the first semester, students learned about some of the characteristics of the university: in the classroom with the professor, they learned how to write programs. At the other end of the spectrum, courses on how to protect the environment, or how is theoretical knowledge put into “practice” in professional companies were provided. They also had the unique opportunity to engage with leading experts in their fields.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering: International Professors invited to highlight the importance of methodical thinking.

During the summer, the Computer Science and Engineering Department offered the “Intelligent Data Analysis”, “Data Science for Business” and “C / C ++ Programming” as elective courses for undergraduates. Professor Peter Tino of the University of Birmingham, Assistant Prof. Liu Siyuan from Pennsylvania State University and Stéphane Faroult, Associate Professor of SUSTech respectively presented the three courses.

In the Intelligent Data Analysis, Prof. Peter Tino applied the knowledge of Linear Algebra and Probability and Mathematical Statistics to data analysis to teach students the notion of his theory. He repeatedly stressed that as future computer professionals, students need to understand the processes behind the realization of the Matlab software. Assistant Professor Liu Siyuan’s “Data Science for Business” course covers theoretical knowledge such as data acquisition and processing, data mining, text and web mining, social network analysis, recommendation systems, mobile business analytics, and guidance for students to use data science and information systems technology to find value and support business decisions. The final course “C / C ++ Programming” was taught by Associate Professor Stéphane Faroult, covering C++ and Java and their main differences in order to explain clearly to the students their differences. Focusing on the C and C ++ language features, through the combination of theoretical and experimental lessons, students gained a general idea of the engineering development, and improved their understanding of programming practices.

Selected “C / C ++ Programming” student Gong Yue said “Stéphane’s class allowed me to have a new understanding on C language logic, and through studying his own code, gained a clearer knowledge of how it works. I believe this will help me to work faster and more efficiently in the future”.

School of Environmental Science and Engineering: Studying Soil and Groundwater Pollution Prevention in the United States

On August 14, 2014, nine undergraduates from the School of Environmental Science and Engineering as well as the Dean Professor Zheng Chunmiao visited Washington DC in the United States for ten days, in order to study the soil and groundwater pollution prevention and control methods.

On the first day, former president of SSP & A Environmental Consulting Charlie Andrews led the students to discover American humanities and natural ecology. During the visit, the students engaged in a two-day theoretical case study at SSP & A. They had the opportunity to meet the founder of the company, as well as member of the United States Academy of Engineering Stavros Papadopulos, as well as a number of experts on soil and water pollution prevention and control, key technologies and previous cases. After a preliminary introduction of the relevant theoretical knowledge, students accompanied Mr Andrews and a project engineer on a field trip to a pollution repair site – Alexandria Oronoco drain. During the trip, SSP & A’s hydrogeologists led the students to visit the Great Falls National Park and visited the geomorphological and hydrological conditions of the Potomac Gorge along the famous Billy Boat Trail in Maryland.

Li Yumin, a junior student who attended the course, said that they not only learned theoretical knowledge in the classroom, but also gained valuable insight in the field, a much richer experience. These kinds of practical activities inspire students to think critically about environmental issues, and enhance their awareness for the need of environmental protection.

Materials Science and Engineering: To Experience the Industrial Technology and Innovation Practice as an intern

59 students from the Materials Science and Engineering Department, mostly came from junior classes, took internships this summer in three leading technology enterprises, including the electronic industry manufacturer–Triumph Lead Group; provider of Precision Laser Innovative Applications–Sunshine Laser & Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.; and Shenzhen CAPCHEM Technology Co. Ltd., a listed company specialized in manufacturing, and marketing of advanced electronic chemical products.

Through the practice course, designed by the department, students could experience the industrial technology and innovation practice and engage with industry leaders in the city.

The students had their first real taste of manufacturing, when they retain the knowledge that learned from classes and labs to the real practice. Indeed, it is not a simple process.

“The key is to unlock the ultimate skills , and getting a high score plays a minor role here. Try to make more practice.” Said one of the engineers from the enterprises.

Arts Center: A Summer Spiritual Journey

At present, the construction of first class university is becoming a widespread concern in the higher education sector; SUSTech believes that one of the keys to building a world class university is the humanities education. In this summer, SUSTech Arts Center offered the students a summer spiritual journey.

As a combined arts course, it is suitable for students interested in art, who prefer to acquire knowledge in multiple subjects rather than specialize in one. During the course, students could get help to build a reliable sense of rhythm with the inherent dynamics and to use body, sound and musical instrument to create music. By taking the yoga, dancing, Africa drumming and cowbell courses could also give the students more choices to build a strong rhythm and metrical sense.

On 18^th Aug, a concert, instructed by Ms. Sheng Yuanjin, was presented to the faculty members to showcase the students’ achievements.

SUSTech offers a series of courses and activities in this summer. The Department of Mathematics has provided Finite Element Analysis Course and Quantitative Finance Course; the Department of Physics opened the Basic Physics Opening Experiment, Crystal Structure and Symmetry Group; Remote Sensing Principle, Statistical Machine Learning from Materials Science and Engineering Department, and other courses.

The Arts Center proposed “sketching”, “art techniques practice”, “aesthetic interpretation of art works”, “Chinese painting (Lingnan school”) and other art courses as well as jointly displaying the works outdoors as an exhibition.

In SUSTech, as long as you have the passion to learn, whether it is scientific research or art, the door of knowledge is open to you during spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Edited by: Jeremy Welburn