Four Years At-A-Glance

FRESHMAN
YEAR

GEMS 100: (1 credit)
Freshman Honors Colloquium: Introduction to Gemstone

Other Academic Activities:
Colloquia showcasing junior research projects

GEMS 102 (1 credit)
Research Topic Exploration

GEMS 104 (3 credits)
Topics in Science and Technology and Society. Investigation of the interface of science and technology with society in historical settings. Semester research project required with poster presentation.

Satisfies Signature Courses - I Series AND one of the following General Education requirements:
Distributive Studies - History & Social Sciences
Distributive Studies - Humanities
Distributive Studies - Scholarship in Practice

Other Academic Activities:
At the end of this semester each student will be in a research team to which a faculty mentor is assigned. Attend the Senior Team Thesis Conference.

GEMS 202 (2 credits)
Team Dynamics and Research Methodology

Satisfies General Education requirements: Distributive Studies - Scholarship in Practice

GEMS 296 (1 credit)
Team Project Seminar I

Team Activities:
Attend Team Gemstone. Organize your team, develop a specific research question, and begin collecting and reviewing literature. Complete initial draft of the Research Proposal.

GEMS 297 (2 credits)
Team Project Seminar II

Team Activities:
Finalize a team thesis proposal and present it to your committee. Identify/describe the instrument(s) to be used for data collection. Submit IRB application by the end of the summer. Continue to read and summarize literature.
For students under the new general education requirements GEMS202 and GEMS296 together satisfy 3 Distributive Studies credits in the Scholarship in Practice category.

GEMS 396 (2 credits)
Team Project Seminar III

Study Abroad:
The junior year is the best time to study abroad. You must complete a "Learning Contract" with the team.

Team Activities:
Implement original research; make the outline for your thesis; identify experts to help guide your project; and present your progress at the Fall Colloquia.

GEMS 397 (2 credits)
Team Project Seminar IV

Satisfies General Education requirements: Distributive Studies - Scholarship in Practice

Team Activities:
Complete data collection and analysis by the end of the semester; write a draft of chapters 1-3 of your thesis; send draft to experts for comments and recommendations; and present your progress with a poster on Undergraduate Research Day.

GEMS 496 (2 credits)
Project Writing Seminar

Team Activities:
Attend senior orientation in September. Complete analysis of data and redraft thesis based on completed research and suggestions from experts/future discussants. Prepare presentation for rehearsal. Submit names of experts to be discussants.

GEMS 497 (2 credits)
Team Thesis Defense Seminar

Upon completion, students under the new general education requirements satisfy 6 additional Distributive Studies credits in the Scholarship in Practice category.

Team Activities:
Complete team thesis, present thesis at Presentation Rehearsal, present and defend thesis at Team Thesis Conference, submit final thesis including changes suggested by expert discussants, and receive your citation at the Gemstone Citation Ceremony.