HUNDREDS of Tsinghua freshmen who applied for a class in basic science, ended up in even fiercer competition than for the national college entrance exams ?only 27 were accepted.

"The basic science class is attractive because it has top teaching staff and a flexible and unique style," said Professor Xiong Jiajiong, one of the people who began the programme.

Xiong says each student in the class develops their interest in science and abstract thinking ability with one-on-one training from noted professors.

They can join their adviser's research project in the third year.

The programme has been dubbed "the Nobel class." It was started in 1998 to "develop people with creativity and international competitiveness for research in areas like physics and mathematics."

It also trains students for other related fields like life sciences, information science, and material science.

"Breakthroughs will most probably be made at the crossroad of physics and mathematics," said Yang Zhenning, winner of the Nobel Prize for physics, when asked about the programme.

"The Chinese have a great deal of potential in physics and math research," he added.

Students accepted into the programme include winners of the International Physics Olympics and International Mathematics Olympics and top scorers in the national college entrance exams.

The first group of its graduates have showed their potential in science research, with many of them having published heavy-weight academic papers in national and world level science journals.

Most are admitted to postgraduate studies without taking exams.

(21st Century 2002-09-26)