MCC launches new science, engineering academy

High school students interested in science, engineering or health careers now can take college-level classes earning credit at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

MCC's new Science and Engineering Academy allows students to get a head start on college and learn from experienced instructors in small classes.

Students could earn nearly a full year of college credit - 25 to 26 credit hours - in four semesters. The program is targeted at strong students with career goals, said Maria Taydem, MCC dean of mathematics and sciences.

"Students can earn valuable college credits now when they have fewer distractions than they will in their first year away at a four-year school," she said. "While AP classes are college-level, AP programs don't necessarily guarantee college credit."

Academy courses meet the standard requirements for these paths of study and are designed to be transferrable to four-year institutions participating in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, including out-of-state colleges.

MCC is offering fall and spring academy classes on weekday mornings, allowing students to start their day at the college and then return to their high school for remaining classes.

Academy classes will be available as early as this summer and continue into fall and spring of 2020, concluding in summer 2020.

Students interested in engineering and hard sciences would take Math 175 in the summer and Math 245 and Physics 291 in the fall, while students interested in health fields would take Math 175 this summer and Physics 280 and Chemistry 165 in the fall.

Interested applicants can sign up for MCC's Science and Engineering Academy through their high school counselor. For more information, visit mchenry.edu/academy or contact Taydem at mtaydem@mchenry.edu or at (815) 455-8538.