An Integrated Biochemistry Grundpraktikum for the BCB Study Program

The BSc program in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (BCB) currently requires students to complete two first year laboratory courses: a Chemistry Praktikum (taught as a Ferienprakitkum January) and a Biology Praktikum (during the Spring Semester). With the implementation of PAKETH, especially the introduction of Basisprüfungen in January, the current structure is no longer feasible. Students will have exams during January, and Fall Semester lab space is fully occupied by other study programs.

Beyond these logistical challenges, the split structure leads to pedagogical inefficiencies, missed opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, and training in techniques that are not well-aligned with the BCB curriculum. Our project addresses these issues by developing a new, integrated Biochemistry Grundpraktikum, to be taught in the Spring Semester. It will adapt selected experiments from the existing Chemistry course with a new curriculum on essential biochemical techniques such as plasmid construction, protein expression, gel electrophoresis, and biochemical assays.

The new course will also introduce virtual learning modules, a shared electronic laboratory notebook (ELN), and aligned safety training to reduce workload in the first semester and improve overall preparedness for advanced lab courses. The project supports the pedagogical goals of PAKETH while laying a foundation for modern,

interdisciplinary laboratory education at ETH and adapting the BCB schedule to PAKETH.

1) Establish an integrated Biochemistry Praktkum – replace the current split Chemistry and Biology first year Praktika with an interdisciplinary lab course that prepares BCB students for second year Praktika and future Block Courses and Research Projects.

2) Align the BCB Curriculum with PAKETH Reforms – The present system is not PAKETH-compliant

3) Implement Digital Tools and Blended Learning – we will build on the experience of the Chemistry Grundpraktika to adapt and develop on-line education modules, safety training and assessment, and electronic lab notebooks.

4) Develop, test, and deploy a unified Biochemistry Praktikum covering experiments typically encounter in biochemical work, including buffer preparation, protein expression, assays, and DNA/RNA analysis.

5) Ensure teaching quality and sustainability – we will establish a model to train PhD and MSc teaching assistants to conduct the Praktika in small groups (9-10 BSc students per TA).

For Students:

The integrated Biochemistry Grundpraktikum offers students a coherent, interdisciplinary learning experience that better reflects the realities of modern life sciences. By combining chemistry and biology practical training into a single course, students learn from the outset how cross-disciplinary techniques are combined for modern research in chemical biology. The use of digital materials, tutorials, and an electronic laboratory notebook supports active and autonomous learning while reducing in-lab time. The course also strengthens core experimental skills that are relevant to their future coursework, block courses, and subsequent Praktika (BCB III, BCB IV).

For Lecturers:

Lecturers benefit from a modular course structure supported by sharing teaching material (e.g., videos, quizzes, ELN templates) that reduce redundancy. The unified course concept promotes cross-departmental exchange and a more integrated teaching culture. In addition, the ability to filter students based on successful completion of core science courses (per PAKETH reforms) optimizes resources.

For the Degree Program / Departments / ETH:

The project aligns laboratory training with foundational coursework and reduces first-semester overload. It eliminates logistical challenges regarding space and scheduling. It establishes a model for optimising Praktika across departments, thereby contributing to ETH’s strategic goals in digitalization, educational innovation, and workload reduction.