Important Information Regarding Biology and Chemistry

Biology

• Students must place in Expository Writing 101 and Pre-calculus in order to register for Biology 101.
  
  
• If students don't meet prerequisites they may be registered for Concepts in Biology 100 (4 credit class). This class does not replace Biology 101. It will appear on their transcript, be included in their GPA, and will count toward their 128 credits needed to graduate, but will not go toward AREA II requirements of Introductory Life and Physical Sciences.
  
  
• If students taking Concepts of Biology 100 receive an A or a B+ they can register for Biology 102 in the spring semester and makeup Biology 101 in the summer or fall.

Chemistry

• Students must place in Calculus or be taking Pre-calculus 115 in order to register for Solid GEMS or Regular versions of General Chemistry 161.
  
  
• The chemistry department suggests a better alternative- Introduction to Chemistry 134 (a 3 credit course) for students placing in Precalculus 111,112. This is a prep course for students who plan to study science in college but are not yet ready to undertake the rigors of General Chemistry 161. This course will appear on their transcript, be included in their GPA, and will count toward their 128 credits needed to graduate, but will not go toward AREA II requirements of Introductory Life and Physical Sciences. This would be an ideal prep course as an unspecified elective.
  
  
• Chemistry 134 provides an opportunity for students to strengthen their skill base in a supportive environment. Data attests to the success of the course in preparing students for General Chemistry. Students who work hard generally do well in Chemistry 134 and often find that their grade helps their GPA.
  
  
• If students placed in Pre-calculus 115 (2 semesters), they may be placed in Solid GEMS Programs. The Solid GEMS program at Rutgers was designed to raise student achievement in math and the sciences. Solid GEMS is an intensive academic program designed to increase the performance of students in General Chemistry 161 and 162. Solid GEMS chemistry covers exactly the same materials as the "regular" sections of Chemistry 161 and 162. Students take the same final and are graded in the same manner. Their transcripts look the same, the only difference is smaller classes, extended lectures, and recitations

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