Science, Engineering and Mathematics

Geography

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Geography is a science that includes the study of physical features of the earth and its atmosphere in addition to looking at how human activities influence and are influenced by these natural forces.

Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Kinesiology exercise physiology pathway prepares a student to transfer to a four year institution to continue their pursuit of an undergraduate/graduate degree in exercise physiology. Exercise physiology studies how exercise affects the body and mind.

Construction Management

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Construction Management Program prepares students to enter the construction industry in technical, managerial, and supervisory roles in three major areas: residential and light commercial building construction, heavy commercial building construction, and civil construction (roads, bridges, utilities). Entry-level employment is generally in the areas of project management, field inspection, material testing, cost estimating, computer-aided drafting, and surveying.

Land Surveying

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Land Surveying program prepares the student either for employment as a surveying technician or for transfer to a four-year degree program to become an Illinois professional land surveyor. Surveying technicians and professional land surveyors work in the fields of engineering, construction, land development, aerial photography, geographic information systems, agriculture, natural resource management, and government. Course work focuses on knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry level employment and for professional licensing. All of the surveying courses offered in this program have been accepted by the Illinois Land Surveyors Licensing Board as meeting the requirements of the 24 credit hours required by the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989 and the Illinois Administrative Code as amended.

Aviation: Private Pilot Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Private Pilot certificate will prepare the student to be certified under FAA rules as a Private Pilot. The student will become proficient at single-engine aircraft operations, cross-country flying, responding to air traffic control, and a wide range of different airport operations. The Private Pilot certificate is the first of several certifications required to earn eligibility as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). A certified Private Pilot may carry passengers in a multitude of different general aviation aircraft during the day or night. Other than for personal pleasure, Private Pilots may also fly for business as long as flying is incidental to the business and no passengers or cargo are carried. They may also engage in charitable, non-profit or community event flying, certain search and rescue operations, the demonstration of aircraft for sale, and pleasure/family flying trips across the United States and to nearby international destinations.

Aviation: Advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certificate

Certificate (CER)

This certificate is designed to prepare the student to be certified under FAA requirements to be a commercial UAS operator. The student will be knowledgeable of the history and evolution of UAS, FAA regulations, airspace, weather, UAS types and performance, autonomous UAS systems, data acquisition and analysis, as well as safety and ethical issues. They will also be proficient at UAS operations.

Electronic Control Systems Technology

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Electronic Control Systems Technology program prepares students for entry-level positions in the installation, service, and repair of electrical and electronic systems used in manufacturing, automation, and process control. Students can expect to find employment as installers, technicians, and electrical support workers.

Earth Sciences

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The study of how the planet we inhabit formed and is changing over time.

Physical Science: Meteorology

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Meteorology concentration includes Earth Sciences courses that study the atmosphere, the process by which it changes, and its interaction with the solid features of the Earth.

Mechanical Design Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Computer-Aided Drafting: Mechanical Design Program provides the student with an understanding of the machine design process and prepares the student for employment as a mechanical draft person working in a computer environment.

Kinesiology: Athletic Training

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Kinesiology athletic training/therapeutic pathway prepares a student to transfer to a four year institution to continue their education for a job that involves restoration of human function.

Physical Science: Astronomy

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Astronomy concentration emphasizes the study of the origin, development and characteristics of celestial bodies.

Aviation

Associate in Science (A.S.)

This program is designed to provide students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree with the opportunity to earn certifications necessary to enter the commercial aviation job market. Students will earn the private pilot certification, private pilot with instrument rating, and the commercial pilot certification in a sequential manner during the program. Graduates, upon the completion of a bachelor’s degree and FAA flight time requirements, may enter the workforce as commercial cargo or passenger pilots. Flight training will be offered at the University of Illinois Willard Airport in Savoy, Illinois. Students should plan their transfer programs with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Accounting Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Accounting Certificate Program prepares students for careers as junior accountants in business, industry, and government. This certificate can lead to a satisfying career as a payroll clerk or in general accounting, cost accounting, purchasing, inventory control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax assisting, or similar areas.

Aviation: Commercial Pilot Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Commercial Pilot certificate prepares the already certified Private Pilot student with Instrument Rating to be certified under FAA rules as a Commercial Pilot. The student will become proficient at operating a complex single-engine aircraft. The Commercial certificate allows a pilot to fly for compensation or hire in a variety of different flying jobs. Some typical Commercial Pilot jobs include aerial photography, skydiving, sightseeing, aerial advertising, pipeline patrol, and aerial survey. The Commercial Pilot can also be hired by some corporate flying companies for passenger or cargo carrying operations. The Commercial Pilot certificate is a necessary step towards becoming a flight instructor and one of several certifications required to earn eligibility as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

Electronic Power Certficate

Certificate (CER)

The electrical power certificate prepares students for entry level positions in the installation, service, and repair of the electrical systems used in manufacturing and industrial control.

Physics

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The study of the laws governing how the observable universe works.

Kinesiology: Sports Management

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Kinesiology sports management pathway prepares a student to transfer to a four year institution to continue their education for a job on the business side of sport, exercise, and equipment.

Aviation: Instrument Rating Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The instrument rating certificate prepares the already certified Private Pilot to be certified under FAA rules as a Private Pilot with instrument Rating. The student will become proficient at flying a single-engine aircraft without reference to outside visual cues. This certificate allows the pilot to fly in conditions of low visibility and clouds that would otherwise keep a Private Pilot grounded. While the Instrument Rating adds a certain amount of utility to a pilot's certificate, the most important benefits are the overall added level of safety as the result of additional pilot skills and additional options for completing a flight safely if the weather deteriorates while en route. The Instrument Rating certificate is one of several necessary steps towards becoming a flight instructor and earning eligibility as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

Physical Science: Chemistry

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Chemistry concentration emphasizes the study of the characteristics of atoms and molecules and the dynamic interactions between them.

Accounting Technologies

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Accounting Program prepares students for careers as junior accountants in business, industry, and government. This degree can lead to a satisfying career as a payroll clerk or in general accounting, cost accounting, purchasing, inventory control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax assistant, or similar career areas. Students receive a well-rounded background to help prepare for future management positions.

Associate in Science, General

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is designed to facilitate the transfer of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (commonly known as STEM) disciplines into four-year institutions to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. It replicates as closely as possible the lower division (freshman and sophomore) coursework required of students in their chosen STEM field of study. The A.S. degree includes the transferable General Education Core Curriculum courses and the lower-division Baccalaureate Major Field core courses recommended by the Illinois Articulation Initiative. All course work must be baccalaureate-oriented (courses numbered 100- 289 whose second digit is even). Students should note that the A.S. degree requires only 31 to 35 hours of general education coursework and does not fully satisfy the IAI General Education Core Curriculum requirements. Two additional courses to complete the general education requirements may be taken after transferring. The A.S. degree is so designed to enable students to take more university majors required coursework in the first two years thereby achieving junior status upon transferring. At the same time, it permits STEM students to complete the associate’s degree prior to transferring.

Kinesiology: Teaching/Coaching

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Kinesiology teaching/coaching pathway prepares a student to transfer to a four year institution to major in a physical education teacher education program. As part of the Parkland curriculum, the student can become a certified coach through the American Education Sport Program.

CAD: Structural and Civil Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Computer-Aided Drafting: Structural and Civil certificate prepares the student for employment as a drafting technician in the design of buildings, roads, utility systems, and site improvements. Course work includes 3D modeling for buildings and site work, automated drafting of survey data, geographic information systems, and computer networking.

General Studies

Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.)

The Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) degree program consists of courses designed to meet individual goals for personal improvement and self-understanding. This program is designed for students who wish to earn an associate’s degree but not in a specific career or transfer area. This associate’s degree is not covered by the "articulation compact program" nor by the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Land Surveying Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Land Surveying certificate program provides approved surveying courses for the student who plans to become a professional land surveyor and who has or will have satisfied all other educational requirements for licensure prior to applying for admission to the Illinois Surveyor Intern (NCEES: Fundamentals of Land Surveying) examination. All of the surveying courses offered in this program have been accepted by the Illinois Land Surveyors Licensing Board as meeting the requirements of the 24 credit hours required by the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989 and the Illinois Administrative Code as amended.

Land Surveying Technician Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Land Surveying Technician certificate is designed for students currently employed in the surveying industry and accepted for entry into the apprenticeship program sponsored by the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor’s Association and Parkland College. Course work includes basic surveying instrument operation, fundamental land surveying computations, common surveying processes, and interpretation of engineering and surveying drawings. This is a 4-semester part time program.

Forensic Science

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The study of the science used to produce valid evidence in criminology and crime scene investigation.

Aviation: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certificate

Certificate (CER)

This certificate is designed to prepare the student to be certified under FAA requirements to be a commercial UAS operator. The student will be knowledgeable of the history and evolution of UAS, FAA regulations, airspace, weather, UAS types and performance, as well as safety and ethical issues. They will also be proficient at UAS operations.

Physical Science: Geology

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Geology concentration includes Earth Sciences courses that study the solid features of our planet, its formation, and the processes by which it changes over time.

Engineering Science

Associate in Engineering Science (A.E.S.)

The A.E.S. degree involves the completion of required general education, mathematics, and science courses as well as 10 credits in elective courses. Students are advised to follow the recommended courses for specific engineering fields but may choose from among those courses or general education courses to reach 60 semester hours. Transfer institution requirements may vary. Students should check individual college/university requirements before choosing courses and work with an academic success advisor. The A.E.S. does not include completion of the IAI General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) and students completing this degree will likely have additional general education requirements at their transferring institution. Since admission into baccalaureate engineering programs is highly competitive, completion of the recommended courses does not guarantee admission.

Mathematics

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Mathematics Associate in Science curriculum emphasizes scientific and theoretical applications and is designed for students interested in transferring to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science or mathematics. Students should plan their transfer programs with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Physical Science

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Physical Science curriculum is designed to provide transfer students with the necessary background to complete a bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the physical sciences. Students should plan their transfer programs with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Kinesiology

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Kinesiology curriculum is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or physical education. Graduates may teach and/or coach at the elementary, secondary, or college level, or pursue careers in exercise physiology, athletic training, and sports management. Students should plan their program of study with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Biological Sciences

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Biological Sciences/Pre-baccalaureate Nursing transfer areas are designed for students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in one of the various biological sciences or professional health careers. Students should plan their transfer programs with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Electrician Foundations Certificate

Certificate (CER)

The Electrician Fundamentals Certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions in the installation, service, and repair of electrical circuits and systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Students can expect to find entry-level employment as electrical apprentices or electrical maintenance workers. Courses are offered in the Competency-Based Education (CBE) format.