Block courses Students carry out small projects of their own within A first foray into the world of research the framework of the block courses. This provides them with an insight into current research at various departments of the University of Basel and other re- In the fifth and sixth semesters of the bachelor’s program, na- search institutions from the SNI network. noscience students complete eight internships, each lasting one to three weeks, in wide-ranging research groups within the SNI network. In 2024, students had 40 of these multidisciplinary block courses to choose from, giving them a unique opportunity to familiarize themselves with different research institutions and participate actively in current research projects for the first time. These intensive modules combine theoretical knowledge with practical research problems and provide participants with first- hand insights into the latest technologies and methodologies. At the end of the sixth semester, the students organize a small one-day conference of their own to conclude the block- course program. Beforehand, they are given information on event organization, corporate design, storytelling and presen- tation techniques so that they are well prepared to present results from the courses to an interdisciplinary committee of researchers in the form of a poster and a presentation. The block courses have become an established key element of training at the SNI and are a vital step in ensuring that the next generation of nanoscientists are ideally prepared for the challenges of research and industry. Information on the block courses: https://bit.ly/3QrKOeV SNI Annual Report 2024 15