Natural Sciences & Physical Education

  • STEM

Joliet Junior College's Natural Sciences and Physical Education Department encompasses a wide range of disciplines. Many students take our courses to meet general education requirements, and many who take our courses are pre-med, pre-veterinarian, pre-pharmacology, pre-physical therapists or future engineers. Our variety of courses can help prepare you for your future career, whatever your path may be. 

Students can also take advantage of the many unique learning opportunities JJC offers, from an on-campus planetarium to the prairie restoration project. Students receive hands-on learning experiences and lab time from professors who are extremely knowledgeable in their areas of expertise, continually study updates in their fields, and earn accolades both on and off campus.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

This pathway focuses on science, technology, engineering and math and is perfect for those who are analytical and mathematically-minded.

Explore This Pathway

Additional Information & Resources

  • Natural Science Club

    The purpose of the JJC Natural Sciences Club is to provide a creative, social and educational outlet for those students interested in science - through field trips, restoration work, discussions, and guest speakers.

    Students can look forward to stimulating monthly meetings, field trips to places such as Brookfield Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, and Starved Rock. There are educational and social interactions, and opportunities to help maintain and restore natural habitats.

    The club also has participated in the JJC Main Campus prairie restoration project, which involves prairie burns and seed collection. Another club project has been helping the Department of Conservation with deer check stations. 

  • Ecological Restoration Project

    Come join us as Joliet Junior College continues restoring the campus' natural areas. The ecosystems on campus are remnants of a once vast wilderness of prairie and forest. Most of Illinois' natural areas are being invaded by non-native and opportunistic plant species. Without regular management of these disturbed natural areas many of our remaining native species will go extinct locally!

    Ecological restoration is the process of re-establishing native plant communities and ecological processes of energy flow and nutrient cycling until they become self-sustaining. This is your chance to help preserve our local biological diversity.

    During a restoration day we explore and discover the subtle changes taking place on the site, admire the seasonal activities of plants and animals, cut and clear non-native vegetation, plant native seeds and root stocks, and take frequent rests to enjoy our accomplishments. You are encouraged to wear boots, long pants, and durable leather gloves. Everyone of all experiences are invited to attend. We provide the training and equipment for enthusiastic volunteers.

    For additional information about JJC's restoration project and nature trails contact Andy Neill from the Natural Science Department at (815) 280-2632. We look forward to seeing you!