ZHENG Gengfeng, a professor at Fudan's Laboratory of Advanced Materials, has been teaching the “General Chemistry” course tailored for international students since 2010, highlighting the intersection of general chemistry and medical practice.
This English-taught course, now in its 15th year under Zheng’s guidance, serves as a compulsory course for freshman of the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) program, a six-year English-taught undergraduate medical program for international students and also one of the first batch of Recognized Medical Qualifications for the Purposes of Special Registration of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Recognized by the Ministry of Education as a Model English-taught Course for International Students in Chinese Universities for its curriculum design, “General Chemistry” provides essential chemical knowledge crucial for medical studies and preparing students for the complex biological systems they will encounter in their medical careers.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Fudan University in Chemistry in 2000, Zheng pursued a doctoral degree at Harvard University, followed by a postdoctoral research training at Northwestern University in the United States. He has been teaching the “General Chemistry” course in English since his first year back to Fudan University as a faculty member, and now he’s also the executive deputy director of the Laboratory of Advanced Materials at Fudan.
Covering basic scientific principles in 12 chapters, the course offered to MBBS international undergraduates strategically integrates biomedical concepts to build the fundamental connection between chemistry and medicine. “There is no difference in the teaching content between international and domestic students,” Zheng said. “Rather, the focus is on tailoring content for medical versus natural science pathways.”
Zheng explains the content on the PowerPoint slides during class.
To bridge high school knowledge with university-level expectations, Zheng emphasizes problem-solving capability over rote formula application, challenging students to think critically about the applications and limitations of formulas.
During Zheng’s lecture on the ideal gas state equation, he guided students to consider the phase transition of gases to liquids by analyzing specific examples. He prompted them to contemplate how parameters such as pressure, temperature, and volume change under specific conditions, emphasizing the significance of understanding these transformations in practical contexts.
“Students need to approach problems with more nuanced considerations, often involving different components or conditions not encountered in their earlier education,” said Zheng.
He is also committed to improving the practicality of the course in considering students’ concerns regarding the perceived lack of practicality in theoretical learning, and integrating real-life examples to demonstrate the applicability of chemistry theories.
“I guided students to delve into what certain indicators such as red lines in PCR COVID test results signify how they correlate with specific proteins. This involves conducting simple analyses or calculations to illustrate practical applications of the theoretical knowledge learnt in class.”
Zheng uses board work to illustrate step-by-step calculation process.
Using diagrams, illustrations, and color-coded board work, Zheng demonstrates step-by-step problem-solving methods in class to help students enhance their comprehension. Additionally, he shares course materials and recorded lectures within a WeChat group, but underscores that they cannot replace the in-depth discussion and interactive experience in class.
Zheng uses detailed board work to analyze exercises.
“Professor Zheng is always patient and willing to answer our questions after class.” remarked Ying-Zhen Choo, an MBBS freshman undergraduate who comes from Malaysia. She highlighted Zheng’s ability to explain complex concepts clearly with blackboard writing and slides, making the content more accessible. His fluency in English ensures effective communication and understanding in an English-taught environment.
Zheng’s responsiveness to student inquiries after class further enhances the learning experience.
Ying-Zhen Choo uses multiple colors to take notes and highlight key points.
Since the arrival of the first international student in 1952, Fudan University has been receiving international students for over 70 years and now offers a diverse range of English-taught courses tailored for them.
Spanning across various topics in foundational chemistry within the “General Chemistry” course, Zheng hopes that MBBS international students will not only develop the ability to apply chemistry principles accurately, but also acquire the mindset to employ knowledge in the improvement of broader issues in the medical field.
“I’d like to inspire students’ enthusiasm for learning chemistry by showing them that everything taught in this course actually has extensive application prospects,” said Zheng.
(END)
Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer: GONG Jiaxin
Editor: WANG Menqi, LI Yijie
Designer: George Li
