Interactive biochemistry – A pilot project

We believe that particularly in a subject such as biology, where the scope of the material is enormous and ever-changing, it is important not just to impart knowledge but to encourage its active acquisition and support how it is dealt with. It is also becoming more and more important that the courses developed can be deployed in an interdisciplinary environment. This process can be fostered by deploying modern learning technologies in combination with suitable didactic methods.

Our project will transform the lecture courses «Biochemistry I» and «Biochemistry II» (Fachstudium, 5th/6th semesters) from pure classroom courses into e-learning courses with classroom sessions («blended learning»), and will serve as a pilot project for future development of this concept. Here we wish to address several goals. Intensive involvement with the material will be fostered by actively involving students in teaching; here the component of independent study will be increased via a combination of classroom and online teaching. The course will be continually evaluated and revised to regularly incorporate improvements in content and pedagogical/technological aspects. Finally, students of other degree programmes who wish to address issues in biology will have the opportunity to use the teaching material independent of time and location.