Thirteen students of Classes 2012 and 2013 from the Intensive Class for General Science of Kuang Yaming Honors School, led by the school’s vice dean Ge Xin and teacher Zou Dawei, flew to Duke University for a week-long exchange program from August 24 to 30, 2014.
The 13 students were in different majors including physics, chemistry, biology, biophysics, and computer science. The visit provided a platform where professors and students from different fields discussed, communicated and learned together. It was an opportunity of academic exchange and cross-disciplinary communication. The students were expected to gain a better understanding and broader horizon on the front edge basic research.
A week of life at Duke University was rich and colorful. With lectures delivered by chairs of different departments, visits to world-class laboratories, and even lunchtime face-to-face communication with professors, the 13 students felt the great academic atmosphere at Duke University and were inspired to continue their efforts in basic research.
A photo taken in front of the Physics Building (by Cristin Paul, Department of Physics, Duke University); special thanks to Professor Gao Haiyan, chair of the Department of Physics and to Connie Cox (first from the right) from the same department for their careful arrangement.
Duke University owns a beautiful campus of 34.8 km2, which includes the Duke Forest. The campus is divided into three main areas: West, East, and Central Campuses, which are all connected via a free bus service. Duke Chapel sits at the center of the campus and the neo-Gothic architecture, which took inspiration from England, has already become an icon for the university. The pipe organs inside the Chapel will be played at noon every day. Other sites including the Nasher Museum of Art, Duke Gardens, Lilly Library, Baldwin Auditorium and Duke University Golf Course. They are all unique and impressive.
Duke University Chapel
Duke Gardens
Duke University is also outstanding in its academic achievements. As one of the best in America, it is also known as “the Harvard of the South.” It has over 40 research institutes and centers. It owns a library with a collection of over 5 million books, a world class NMR center and a cross-disciplinary innovation research center. During the visit, the students were impressed by the university’s excellent study and research environment and its top facilities as a world-renowned institution. What’s more, it is worth noting that Duke University attaches great importance to the discussion and communication between students and professors. There are seminar rooms and whiteboards for writing all over the campus, from the library to faculty buildings and even laboratories. At the Information Initiative at Duke (iiD), almost all classroom walls are available for writing, and students can do their writing drafts on the walls whenever they have inspirations.
Walls for writing at iiD
With the dense atmosphere of learning at Duke, they were increasingly interested in learning and actively participating in academic activities. The exchange program this time contained a rich variety of lectures for the team, including lectures on physics, chemistry, biology, biophysics, medical physics and materials science. The lectures enabled the students to experience the charm of different disciplines and to realize the irreplaceable role of research in interdisciplines.
Dan Kiehart, professor of biophysics, is introducing morphogenesis to students.
Director of the Medical Physics Program (MPP), Duke University, is giving an overview of the program and its outlook.
In a variety of activities, from lectures to seminars, from visiting labs to dining with professors, the team members were able to live on the American campus and experience the culture that was different from that in China.
A professor of physics is showing the team around the nuclear laboratory.
Professors from different departments are have dinner with the team members.
The short visit to America came to an end. Although the students were a bit sad, they had gained a basic understanding of life on an American campus and a deeper understanding of natural science. It is believed that in the future, memories of this visit will help them choose their field and inspire them to be committed to their dreams.
Professor Gao Haiyan, chair of the Department of Physics, professors of different disciplines and the team members,
September 11, 2014
