I failed a course, and the system became my study supervisor.

Chapter 70 The new semester begins

With the fantasy of playing drone games with his opponent in mind, Xu Ling started his new semester - the first semester of his sophomore year.

The main courses this semester are optics, quantum mechanics, modern algebra and data structures.

Moreover, the number of unnecessary courses had obviously decreased compared to his freshman year, which made Xu Ling very satisfied.

Modern algebra mainly deals with algebraic structures, including theories related to group rings, domains, and lattices. These theories play an important role in fields such as solid state physics.

As for data structures, they are an improvement in programming skills, which is also indispensable for Xu Ling. If one day he really needs to design something similar to PEME by himself, it will be impossible without some programming skills.

Of course, the position of mechanics teaching assistant was finally given to Xu Ling.

After all, whenever Zhang Zhongyao glanced at the final list, he would definitely think of Xu Ling, a student who not only had excellent test scores, but also had novel ideas in his thesis.

On Monday, the first day of the new semester, Xu Ling attended a class as a teaching assistant for the first time.

"Students, this Xu Ling is one of your teaching assistants. He was a student in my previous course and has a strong foundation in the subject. If you have any questions during your studies, please feel free to ask!"

Zhang Zhongyao introduced Xu Ling to the students in the audience.

The other teaching assistant seemed to be a girl, but she was delayed today and could not make it to the classroom.

Soon the course officially began. As usual, Zhang Zhongyao taught the introduction in the first class, but when the time was almost up, he talked about the beginning of the first chapter.

Xu Ling sat in the back row of the classroom, looking at the slightly immature freshmen in front of him with interest.

The difference between new students and old students can be clearly seen.

Freshmen have just entered college and are full of anticipation for their college life.

Most importantly, they listened to the lectures attentively, their eyes full of thirst for knowledge.

But it is different for old students. After experiencing their freshman year, many of them choose to give up in their sophomore year. It is common to see them not attending classes or just playing with their mobile phones when they come.

Soon, the one and a half hour class ended, and Xu Ling packed up and prepared to leave.

Xu Ling thought that few people would ask him questions in the first class.

However, to Xu Ling's surprise, someone actually called him.

"Teacher's assistant, I have a question for you."

A somewhat shy boy said in a low voice.

"please say."

Xu Ling did not slack off in fulfilling his duties.

"Well, what do these symbols mean? Like this x with a dot on it, and this..."

The boy kept talking while flipping through the book.

So this was the problem, Xu Ling understood it instantly.

Many symbols in college are completely different from those in middle school, and Xu Ling took a long time to adapt at the beginning.

"This is the first-order derivative of x, and this is the partial derivative of f with respect to y."

Xu Ling patiently explained it clearly, and then reminded:
"You'll gradually become familiar with these symbols, don't worry."

The boy nodded and walked away thoughtfully.

Xu Ling suddenly remembered that the boy asked why the symbol of partial derivative was used.
Those contents are still to come.

Did you start to test yourself right after school started?
Xu Ling couldn't help but take a breath of cold air:
This child cannot be kept!

While thinking, Xu Ling walked out of the classroom.

As soon as he reached the door, Xu Ling found that Zhang Zhongyao had not left and was still waiting for him there.

"Teacher Zhang, what's going on?"

Xu Ling asked, somewhat puzzled. "Haha, isn't it a new semester? The undergraduate research project is about to begin again. I was wondering what your plans are."

Zhang Zhongyao said with a smile.

Undergraduate Research Program!
Xu Ling had heard of this. It was a scientific research activity invested by the school specifically for undergraduates.

Students can submit their own topic applications or join existing research groups.

Xu Ling had wanted to ask about this for a long time, but he didn't expect Zhang Zhongyao to bring it up first.

Does he want me to join his research group?
Xu Ling couldn't help but speculate, feeling a little excited, and quickly said, "I have plans to join the laboratory, but I haven't started thinking about the topic yet."

"Yes, very good. What about me? I just want to ask if you would like to come into my lab?"

Zhang Zhongyao's eyes brightened a little, with a hint of anticipation.

But Xu Ling still didn't agree immediately, and said tactfully: "Teacher Zhang, I still need to think about the topic."

Zhang Zhongyao didn't give up and continued, "It doesn't matter what topic you choose. You can join the project we're working on, or you can choose your own. I can also give you some advice."

Xu Ling knew that once he entered Zhang Zhongyao's laboratory, no matter what topic he chose, it would have to be related to electromagnetism.

This is the research direction of Zhang Zhongyao's laboratory.

But Xu Ling hadn't even decided on the general direction, so how could he dare to agree directly?

So Xu Ling once again politely rejected Zhang Zhongyao.

Zhang Zhongyao felt regretful, but he kept telling Xu Ling to come to his laboratory if he had the chance.

Xu Ling could only nod in agreement.

After saying goodbye to Zhang Zhongyao, Xu Ling was still very excited and couldn't calm down for a long time.

I didn't expect that I would be invited to the laboratory by the teacher himself.

This is what many students dream of.

Based on past experience, although this research program is open to all undergraduate students, those who can finally apply are only students from the Elite Class and the Strong Foundation Program, and there are only two groups at most in one college.

According to Zhang Zhongyao, even the application step can be skipped.

How could Xu Ling not be excited.

But Xu Ling was still a little hesitant about which direction to choose.

I have asked relevant teachers before, and it is true that there is no such thing as Shanghai University in the new version of PEME.

However, to solve this problem, it requires the collaboration of multiple colleges. I don’t know if I can apply in this way.

In addition, Xu Ling also has ideas about the design of the drone body.

The same problem as PEME is that drones also require the joint participation of multiple colleges.

As for other new problems, Xu Ling is also considering them, such as fluid mechanics, electromagnetism and even pure mathematics.

For a moment, Xu Ling felt extremely overwhelmed.

At this time, Zhang Zhongyao, who had already walked away, sent another text message to Xu Ling:
Xu Ling, our lab is currently working on muon probes. If you're not interested, we also have other options, such as nanomagnetic materials, giant magnetoresistance materials, and magnetic superconductors. I hope you'll consider this carefully.

After taking a closer look, Xu Ling found that the issues Zhang Zhongyao raised were relatively cutting-edge and promising, and Xu Ling's interest was immediately piqued.

If I can’t make PEME and drones in the end, I will study electromagnetics. After all, Professor Zhang thinks so highly of me.

Xu Ling thought silently in his heart.

Of course, the most urgent thing now is to ask if you can do one of the first two questions.

(End of this chapter)