The GEMS program – Gateway to Excellence in Math and Science – has been launched by the University of Texas at Dallas to help meet the challenges spotlighted in the “Rising Above The Gathering Storm” report in 2006. According to UTD President David Daniel, the university’s own look at the math and science challenge revealed an exodus of students from studies in science, engineering and mathematics to less mathematically intensive degree programs. In a single academic year, only 33 percent of UT Dallas freshmen successfully completed Calculus I and II. Chemistry posed a barrier as well: A third of the students failed on their first try. Those two courses are gateways to majors that place a heavy emphasis on math and scientific principles.

“I wish that the problem were solely one of inadequate high school preparation,” Dr. Daniel said in a president’s column. “But study after study has shown that part of the problem is the way universities teach science, engineering, and mathematics. It’s often sink-or-swim, with insufficient tutoring and little one-on-one peer support and engagement. Our goal is student success, so we’re taking a serious look at how to improve.”

The result is a comprehensive new plan called GEMS – Gateways to excellence in Math and Science. Over the next five years, the GEMS initiative will overhaul the UTD curricula and teaching methods for gateway math and science courses. Proposed reforms include:

• Making sure calculus and chemistry courses align with higher-level courses in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degree programs.
• Opening a Math and Science Success Center offering supplemental instruction.
• Forming a Math and Science Education Council to foster communication among STEM programs and promote innovative ideas for instruction.
• Developing new courses in mainstream and honors calculus and chemistry to stimulate and prepare students for research opportunities.

To ensure progress on the GEMS effort, the Math and Science Education Council will monitor data on student performance. The data will be analyzed for a better understanding of the entire undergraduate learning experience at UT Dallas.

For more information, see www.utdallas.edu