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Students explore USM Polymer Science and Engineering program Dr. Troy Milliken took several Holmes Community College science majors from the Ridgeland Campus to visit the Polymer Science and Engineering program at The University of Southern Mississippi on Friday, Oct 30. Students were exposed to what polymers are and careers involving polymers. Students were also exposed to specialized instruments pertaining to polymers: Transmission Electron Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope, Extruders, Rheology, and Differential Scanning Calorimeter.
The field of polymer science has been rapidly growing since 1960. It started out with the generic name of plastics, which includes saran wrap, car tires, and plastic bags. It has now expanded to aerospace technology, carpet fibers, and Kevlar.
"Polymer Science is a growing field and industries accepting polymer scientists include 3M, Dow, Dupont, and GM to name a few," Dr. Milliken said. "Job placement is nearly 100 percent for USM polymer graduates."
The USM nationally-ranked Polymer Science and Engineering program provides training for careers in academia, commerce and manufacture which process and use polymeric materials. Many of the graduates are able to secure prominent scientific and technical positions across the nation.
The Holmes Department of Natural Sciences offers an Associate of Arts (AA) from diverse course offerings across 21 majors. Natural Science graduates are competitive in entry to professional schools, such as medical, dental and pharmacy, as well as graduate schools and the entry level job market. The USM Polymer Science and Engineering program is one such program available to Holmes students upon their transfer.
For more information about the Holmes Department of Natural Sciences, contact Joe David White, chair, at jwhite@holmescc.edu or (601) 605-3353.
IN THE PHOTO: Pictured is (center, holding helmet) Dr. Troy Milliken, instructor of chemistry, with Holmes students (left to right) Jonita Cooper, Suzanne Hudson, Lashaundra Johnson, Kyle Foster, Tristin Morgan and Jacob George.
