Biology
BIOLOGY
The study of biology presents a wealth of opportunities to explore life in its diverse forms. A biology major is designed to give a broad pre-professional background for students interested in careers in biology, molecular biology, biomedical science, genetics, forensics, medical sciences, zoology, environmental science, microbiology, and more.听听听
The biology curriculum helps to demonstrate basic knowledge in important areas of the life sciences from the cellular and molecular level through the ecosystem level. Biological sciences students conduct scientific experiments and field work to test appropriate hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and analyze the information obtained.听听
The biology department offers a diverse array of courses that cover nonmajors biological sciences to major subdisciplines of biological sciences to give students a pathway to think like scientists and tackle future challenges in life sciences.听 Biology graduates may find employment in research, health care, environmental conservation, education, forensics sciences, biomedical fields, biotechnology, government agencies, sport medicine, veterinary and zoological care, publishing, national parks, and recreation areas among other fields.听
Chemistry
CHEMISTRY
A chemistry course is your ticket to understanding the world around you! It can also lead to an exciting career. From听agriculture听to听zoology, from production to sales, in a forest, on a highway, or in a hospital, chemistry is everywhere and touches our lives in countless ways!听
Chemistry can be interesting and fun, too. Understanding chemicals whether those in your own home or at a chemical plant will be important to you throughout your life. You will need to make decisions about what cars to buy, medications to take, and legislation that affects your environment. Having a good understanding of the chemistry involved will help you make the best choice for your lifestyle.听
A career in chemistry will provide you the opportunity to contribute in many specialized areas: environment, manufacturing, medicine, transportation, polymers,听teaching, safety, and听law enforcement, for example. Work activities for the chemist can vary from collecting field samples to writing for a technical journal.听
Computer Science
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer Science professionals are in high demand throughout the country. Students who begin at PRCC, transfer and then graduate with university degrees in a computer science-related field realize听rewarding careers听in private and public sector positions with starting salaries that are听above average听for many other degree-seeking jobs. Actual starting salaries vary depending on the area of the country and the nature of the work. Many computer-related fields allow听flexible hours,听great working environments,听creativity, and听advancement, with听additional job prospects.
Engineering
ENGINEERING
There are so many aspects to the field of engineering that it is difficult to address it in general terms. From听electrical engineering听to听architectural engineering, there are seemingly infinite directions in which the professional can go. And though it may seem daunting in the beginning, it will quickly become apparent that all these options afford you the very real opportunity to customize your career in ways you may never have thought possible. Put simply, “Engineering is the application of scientific and technical knowledge to solve human problems. Engineers use听imagination,听judgment, and听reasoning听to apply science, technology, mathematics, and practical experience. The result is the design, production, and operation of useful objects or processes.” Within this field of study and work, however, there are countless specialized fields, each one of which contributes greatly to the overall field itself.听
Students planning to pursue a degree in engineering should be interested in听mathematics听and听science. The first two years of an engineering degree require a number of advanced mathematics and science courses. Pearl River offers courses to fulfill two years towards a four-year degree in engineering. Recent statistics show that engineering students transferring to Mississippi State University from Pearl River perform at least as well as non-transfer students. The first engineering course for students at Pearl River is not taken until the spring semester of the second year.
Engineering Technology
Engineering technicians use the principles and theories of science, engineering, and mathematics to solve technical problems in听research听and听development,听manufacturing,听sales,听construction,听inspection, and听maintenance. Their work is more limited in scope and application-oriented than that of scientists and engineers. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. Others work in quality control, inspecting products and processes, conducting tests, or collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in听product design,听development, or听production.听
More information on careers in engineering technology can be found at the Department of Labor,听.听
Southern Miss offers bachelor programs in engineering technology. Further information can be found at the听.听
Physics
PHYSICS
Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. It is the most basic and fundamental science. Physics challenges our imaginations with concepts like听relativity听and听string听theory, and it leads to great discoveries, like computers and lasers, that change our lives.听
Physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. Moreover, it’s the basis of many other sciences, including听chemistry,听oceanography,听seismology, and听astronomy. All are easily accessible with a bachelor’s degree in physics.听
The importance of physics isn’t limited to the “hard sciences.” Increasingly, physicists are turning their talents to听molecular biology,听biochemistry, and听biology听itself. Even medicine has a niche for physicists, and since听medical physicists听are hard to come by, they are much in demand.听
Physics also undergirds many new technologies. Cell phones, the Internet, and MRIs are only a few examples of the physics-based technological developments that have revolutionized our world. Many theoretical and experimental physicists work as听engineers, and many听electrical听and听mechanical engineers听have physics degrees.听
A physics education equips a person to work in many different and interesting places–in听industrial听and听government labs, on听college campuses, and in the听astronaut corps. In addition, many physics grads leave the lab behind and work at newspapers and magazines, in government, and even on Wall Street–places where their听problem-solving abilities听and听analytical skills听are great assets.
