Recent teams have worked on issues including next generation mass transportation, reclamation of the Chesapeake Bay, and information technology and medicine. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, each Gemstone team focuses its research on challenges associated with technological change and its role in driving societal change. The interdisciplinary nature of the teams will enable examination of these issues from different perspectives. Additionally, students enroll in two-credit seminars where each team meets regularly with the faculty mentor. For information, please see College of Arts and Humanities entry in chapter 6.
Admission is by invitation.
Upon admission to the program, College Park Scholars choose one of the multidisciplinary academic programs as a focus, and have an opportunity to live together with other students in that program in specially designated Scholars' residence halls. The colloquia are interactive, engaging students in discussion and debate with prominent experts in various fields. Students also have an opportunity to enroll in specially designed sections of the first-year writing courses. A diverse student population enriches all the Scholars' experiences, and directors encourage students with different experiences and backgrounds to take leadership roles in both the curricular and extracurricular programs. In addition, students in all the programs are offered opportunities to participate in faculty-led study abroad experiences between semesters or during the summer.