gms | German Medical Science

“To get students enthusiastic about scientific research right from the start" this is the aim of the initiative "Humboldt reloaded" at the University of Hohenheim. So far, between the winter semester 2011/12 and the summer semester 2017 in almost 900 student research projects, Humboldt reloaded has been able to convey this enthusiasm and attitude for scientific research in the disciplines of agricultural, natural and economic sciences to about 3.600 Bachelor students.

To what extend this form of research-orientation in undergraduate studies is advantageous for students will be examined in the context of an accompanying effect study. The study will be completed in 2020. Methodologically, the study is based on a combination of so-called "subjective" and associated "objective" student data. With respect to "subjective" data, students' self-assessments will be elicited through questionnaires and summarized with regard to their competences. On the other hand, "objective" data will be collected by the administration of the university itself. Objective data include, for example, examinations and final grades of the students. Through the combination of these two types of data, a comprehensive understanding of the effect of research-orientation in undergraduate studies is to be achieved.

Beginning with winter semester 2016/2017 three additional components: interdisciplinary projects, an international inquiry-based summer school for undergraduates and a teaching coach for Humboldt reloaded lecturers, have been complementing the project portfolio. These supplementary components are intended to advance learning and teaching by research, facilitate a link to the students’ reality after university and provide an orientation and guidance for teachers in a more and more challenging academic teaching environment. In order to maintain the positive effects perceptible by all involved parties and promoted by the new components, the long-term goal of Humboldt reloaded is the implementation of research-based learning and teaching in the curriculum of the University of Hohenheim.