This was a difficult class, but I learned a ton. However, if I had known how much of a time commitment would be involved, this would have been the only course I took last semester (I typically take 6 credit hours at a time). Dr. Rutzky recommends 10-15hrs per week as the litmus for getting an "A", and that was accurate for me. I got a 94 in the class and it was not easy.

A week in GEL-111 will have: - Lecture assignment - One or two Labs - A Discussion Board assignment - Possibly an SLO quiz Semester info: - There is a research essay - Four total exams (one every 3 weeks), with the fourth being the Final The weekly labs can be submitted up to three times before the due date and she will take the highest grade of the three. It's quite a bit of work and was the most intensive online class I have ever taken. The exams must be taken on campus, even for online students, so keep that in mind. Lab kits must be picked up/dropped off at Southern Campus, although Dr. Rutzky will meet you at Northern Campus if you make those arrangements (that's where her office is.) There are no study guides, just broad, open-ended questions about the content. You really need to k...read more

She is an exceptional teacher! Truly goes above and beyond to answer questions and give you as much credit as possible. As long as you communicate, she is open to extensions on lab/lecture work and gives good feedback.

Keep in mind this course required me to put in 10-15hrs of work per week to keep an "A" in the class. You might want to take easier/fewer classes during the semester that you're taking this course!