Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences | Rutgers-New Brunswick

Solid GEMS FAQ

Q: What are the benefits of Solid GEMS?
A: Solid GEMS:

  • Reduces student attrition from first year Chemistry courses, thus encouraging students to continue as science majors.
  • Provides a hands-on learning approach to General Chemistry and focuses on problem-solving and development of math and analytic skills rather than rote learning.
  • Has been chosen by the Rutgers Chemistry Department as mandatory for all students with Math SAT scores of 500 or below.
  • Assists students whose college entrance profiles suggest they may experience difficulty in General Chemistry as traditionally taught at many colleges and universities.
  • Includes an on-site workplace visitation program that helps increase understanding of environmental issues while connecting academic experience with workplace needs; recent workplaces include the Ocean County Landfill Corporation, Lakehurst, New Jersey, where students met managers and helped conduct scientific experiments.

Q: When is Solid GEMS offered?
A: The Solid GEMS Chemistry Program is currently taught both during the summer and the academic year. Solid GEMS 161 is offered as a intensive, hands-on residential course during the summer, and Solid GEMS Chemistry 161 and 162 are also offered during the academic year.

Q: Who is eligible for Solid GEMS?
A: Any student required to take General Chemistry for their major is eligible for the Solid GEMS Chemistry Course sequence. NOTE: It is highly recommended that students participating in the Solid Gems Chemistry have Math placements of 01:640:111 or above (RU Math Department Undergraduate Information).

Q: Who Should Participate in the Solid GEMS Experience?
A: Students who benefit from GEMS include:

  • Students who want to improve their problem solving skills.
  • Students who were not able to take chemistry in their first University year because of math prerequisites.
  • Returning students whose background in chemistry is not sufficient for success at the college level.
  • Students who require additional time to assimilate the material.

Q: How do I apply for Solid GEMS Summer Program?
A: You must complete an application prior to March 1st and submit it to:

Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Office of Special Programs
Martin Hall Room 221
88 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525

Q: What does the Solid GEMS Summer Program cost?
A: There is no cost to Rutgers EOF students, as the program is funded by the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences OSP Office. Eligible non-EOF students must cover the costs tuition and fees ;some scholarship funds are available for non-EOF students.

Q. What are the activities associated with the Summer Solid GEMS Program?

A. Solid GEMS provides:

  • A maximum of 29 students per class.
  • 8 student maximum per Teaching Fellow.
  • Extended lectures: 4 lectures per week, 105 minutes each, instead of 55.
  • Extended recitations: 4 recitations per week, instead of 1.
  • 6 periods of office hours per week (individual tutoring)
  • 7 hourly exams per semester, instead of 4 (academic year sections only).
  • 17 quizzes per semester, instead of 5.
  • Instant feed back of material.
  • Direct relationship of chemical principles to daily life experience.
  • Lecture notes provided to all students, allowing class participation without the distraction of taking notes.

Q: Remind me what GEMS provides?
A. Solid GEMS provides:

  • A maximum of 29 students per section.
  • Extended lectures: 3 lectures per week, 80 minutes each, instead of 55.
  • Extended recitations: 2 recitations per week, instead of 1.
  • 5 hourly exams per semester, instead of 4 (academic year sections only).
  • 8 quizzes per semester, instead of 5.
  • Instant feed back of material.
  • Direct relationship of chemical principles to daily life experience.
  • Lecture notes provided to all students, allowing class participation without the distraction of taking notes.
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