Seated from left: Alex Russell and Lila Burton. Standing: Camp Geary and Marsha Hobbs
The University of Mississippi School of Engineering is offering its pre-engineering curriculum to students at Jackson Preparatory School.
Beginning in August, students will be able to enroll in dual credit courses taught at Jackson Preparatory that can earn them college credit. ENGR 207, a computer graphics course, is available during the fall semester. Introduction to Engineering (ENGR 100) will be taught in spring 2015.
“The purpose of the initiative comes from an effort to stimulate science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the state of Mississippi and encourage more students to pursue degrees in these fields at the college level,” said Alex Cheng, dean of the UM engineering school.
The courses will be taught by Marsha Hobbs, a Jackson Prep faculty member, in close collaboration with Ole Miss faculty. Additionally, UM faculty will provide guest lectures and students will have opportunities to visit the Oxford campus.
“We are excited about the dual credit course,” Hobbs said. “It will also be our first foray into distance learning, and we will partner with Marni Kendricks in her Engineering 207 course, which teaches AutoCad.
ENGR 207 introduces students to microcomputer-based sketching and drafting, interpretation of graphics, flow and circuit diagrams, graphical representation of data. ENGR 100 provides students with an introduction to the problem-solving methods that engineers use when applying scientific principles for the creation of realistic solutions to everyday technical problems.
Eighteen Jackson Prep students have enrolled in the fall engineering course and are excited about the possibilities of learning new skills.
“I am not sure that I will pursue engineering as part of my career, but I thought it would be beneficial to try it while I can still consider it as a field of study,” said Alex Russell, a senior from Ridgeland. “I enjoy being creative, and to me, engineering sounded like an opportunity to take a science class that embraced this passion.”
Russell said his career plan is to do something in film production, but that he’s still figuring out his options.
“That is why I am going to take this class with an open mind,” he said. “Who knows? I might end up changing my focus onto a more engineering-type career.”
Jackson Prep senior Lila Burton of Brandon echoed Russell’s optimism about the course.
“I enrolled in the course to learn more about engineering because I have gained an interest in what it is,” she said. “I hope to major in political science and have a career in international relations.”
Courses at Prep will mirror the courses at Ole Miss each semester, so that students at both campuses can have the same educational experience, said Ryan Upshaw, assistant dean for student services in the engineering school.
“The courses are meant to give students a better sense and understanding of the opportunities and careers available to them if they earn a degree in engineering or a related field,” Upshaw said. “They will also help them identify if their interests and skills are a good fit for the field.”
Founded in 1900, the UM School of Engineering has been educating engineers for more than 110 years, is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology and offers seven degree programs. School officials hope to develop partnerships with more schools throughout the state to continue to expand STEM education in Mississippi.
Founded in 1970, Jackson Preparatory School was the first and continues to be the largest secondary independent school in the Jackson metropolitan area. Established as a premier coeducational college preparatory day school for grades 7-12, it has exhibited more than four decades of excellence in education and has more National Merit semifinalists and finalists than any other school in Mississippi.
For more information, contact the School of Engineering at 662-915-7407.