STEM Programs

Images of student interacting in classroom settings at Elgin Community College.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. STEM fields are considered to be key areas of job growth and development.

Elgin Community College’s STEM programs equip students with the skills and knowledge to pursue their bachelor’s degree or graduate with an in-demand career.

STEM Courses

A female student uses an infrared thermal scanner on another female student seated in a classroom.

Applied Physical Sciences

Learn the fundamental and holistic views of physics, chemistry, geology, physical geography, and earth science topics related to everyday life and current events.

Black hole in the nebula.

Astronomy

Astronomers explore the origin and nature of the universe, its galaxies, stars, planets, and other matter that it contains.

A male student at a lab table is examining the human anatomy skeleton model.

Biology

Biologists are responsible for cutting-edge academic and industrial research in medicine and genetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and ecological studies as a career field.

A female student, wearing safety glasses, is mixing chemicals in a glass flask bottle in the classroom.

Chemistry

Study the fundamentals and the practical aspects of chemistry in various career fields, including chemical technicians, quality control analysts, food scientists, health and safety engineers, and more.

A male student is seated at a computer working on a CAD design.

Engineering

Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to practical and technical problems that benefit society.

A male student is seated at a classroom table, examining various materials and taking notes.

Geology

Geology is the study of the earth, including the nature and physical properties of the earth's composition.

A female student is writing equations on a dry-erase board.

Mathematics

At Elgin Community College, you'll gain a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, critical thinking, and technological fluency.

A female instructor engages with two male students as they examine electrical components at a classroom table.

Physics

Physics seeks to improve our understanding of the fundamental forces in the universe, matter and energy, and natural phenomena ranging from the substructure of atomic nuclei to clusters of galaxies.

ECC in the News

Catherine Moushon, professor of mathematics
Accomplishment | Faculty Profile
Published 12/08/2022

ECC’s Catherine Moushon receives ICTM Award

Elgin Community College’s Catherine Moushon, MA, professor of mathematics, was honored with the Max Beberman Mathematics Educators Award this past October from the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM). This award honors one outstanding person each year who has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics education through research, curriculum design, or teacher training.

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Top Row: Mia Hardy, PhD, assistant professor of sociology and Roxana Idu, PhD, assistant professor of economics; and Tracy Meyer, MS, associate professor of mathematics; Bottom Row: Geoffrey Pynn, PhD, associate professor of humanities and Adam Schlipmann, MME, instructor of music
Accomplishment | Announcement
Published 11/15/2022

ECC board grants tenure to five faculty members

At the October 11, 2022, board meeting, the Community College District 509 Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation by the Elgin Community College administration to grant tenure to five ECC full-time faculty.

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Get into STEM with ECC!
Academics | Events
Published 02/05/2021

ECC presents Math and Science STEM Speaker Series

Elgin Community College Health Professions, Math, Science, and Engineering hosted STEM to encourage students to consider coursework and career in these fields.

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Wozniak Twins
Accomplishment
Published 11/07/2019

Twin brothers selected for NASA aerospace education programs

Brothers Michael and Jackson Wozniak of Carpentersville have a lot of things in common. They both attend Elgin Community College, they both serve as officers in Phi Theta Kappa, and they were both selected to take part in NASA educational programs as part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, or NCAS, experience.

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Virginia 'Ginger' McHugh-Kurtz
Faculty Profile
Published 03/08/2019

From student to faculty: McHugh-Kurtz knows ECC from all angles

Virginia (Ginger) McHugh-Kurtz’s first experience at Elgin Community College was as a student. When she decided to work at the college, her first experience took a familiar turn.

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Nathan Depcik image
Accomplishment
Published 11/06/2018

ECC student visits NASA through Community College Aerospace Scholars program

Elgin Community College student Nathan Depcik was one of 319 community college students nationwide to move closer to a career in science and engineering as part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program (NCAS).

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Angela Andrada photo
Accomplishment
Published 07/10/2018

ECC student returns to NASA for Community College Aerospace Scholars project

Elgin Community College student Angela M. Andrada returned to the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program (NCAS) as a student assistant during the program’s onsite training at NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC) outside of Washington D.C. The program was held for four days during June, where Andrada led various activities, guided the next team of aerospace scholars in their rover competition and handled program logistics.

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