Students learn advanced starch chemistry through reading, leading and participating in the discussion, and presenting comprehensive reviews of peer reviewed articles published in the last three years (2013-2016). Both students and the instructor will select articles that are related to the students’ research projects or disciplines. The instructor will provide guidelines f leading group discussions and facilitate the discussions. Through in-class activities, students will gain knowledge that will advance research projects related to starch chemistry. Students will also build up critical-thinking, leadership, and communication skills in the class. The final presentations, both an oral and a written report, are expected to be part of the students’ future theses, manuscripts or research presentations.