NanoTrek students have a definite advantage: When they
enroll in NanoTrek classes, students will earn college
credits and the credits and grades are placed on a Penn
College transcript. The grades the student earns in the
NanoTrek courses at Central Mountain become part of the
permanent college record and grade point average of the
student. In addition, this college transcript may allow
the NanoTrek courses to transfer to other colleges.
(The transferability of a course to a college other than
Penn College is determined by the college where the
student enrolls, not by Penn College.)
Just like any other college student, a NanoTrek student
will be held to the same criteria as on-campus Penn
College students. Each course is exactly the same
course that is taught at Penn College, so the tests will
be harder, the class work more rigorous, and the
projects will be more extensive than other high school
courses. NanoTrek students must adhere to the Penn
College policies including those that reference course
prerequisites, placement testing requirements, academic
dishonesty, and dropping or withdrawal from their
course(s). See key
policies and
procedures for NanoTrek students.
NanoTrek students are introduced to the role of being a
college student. Knowing that a course can “count” on a
college transcript can motivate students to achieve.
Students see a clear connection between what they are
studying and their career goals and are ready to make
the transition to a college campus after high school.
The Central Mountain faculty are another strong feature
of the NanoTrek program. Central Mountain high school
teachers have worked with Penn College faculty so that
the high school courses are rigorous and equivalent to
the Penn College courses.
The tuition rate for students who are accepted into the courses
and the program can be found on the
tuition and fees
page. This must be paid by check or money order to Pennsylvania
College of Technology when requested by the Central Mountain
High School. We encourage students to purchase textbooks for
their classes since these books are foundation textbooks for the
college program. It is up to your school district whether you
must buy the required textbooks for your courses. Some schools
buy the books for the students, and some do not. However, if
purchasing the books is an economic hardship, scholarships are
available for students who are on the free and reduced lunch
program at your school. Estimated costs of texts and the names
of the required books can be found on the
textbooks page. |
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To qualify for entrance into the NanoTrek: Information
Technology program at Central Mountain High School, students
must pass the reading portion of the regular Penn College
placement tests. These placement tests will be offered at the
Central Mountain High School or at Pennsylvania College of
Technology. Students who do not pass these placement tests at
the identified levels are not eligible to enroll in the Penn
College courses. Students must pass the reading portions of the
placement tests to be eligible to enroll in any of the
information technology courses. In addition, for the student to
be eligible to enroll in CIT 160, CIT 171 or CIT 180, the
student must pass the mathematics placement test.
After graduating and successfully completing the high
school portion of the NanoTrek program, an eligible
student may enter Pennsylvania College of Technology, a
special mission affiliate of Penn State, with up to 15
credits toward any of five Information Technology
associate degrees:
Cisco® Technology Emphasis (CI), IInformation Technology Technician Emphasis (TN),
Network Technology Emphasis
(NW),
Technical Support
Technology Emphasis (TU),
Web and Applications Technology Emphasis
(WT)..
Following the awarding of the associate’s degree, the
student can begin one of the Information Technology
bachelor’s degrees:
Information Technology Security Specialist Concentration
(BSS),
Network Specialist Concentration (BNW) or
Web and Applications Development Concentration (BWD)
as a
college junior. These articulated programs give
students several attractive educational options.
See high school
course outline here.
Upon completing their bachelor's degree at Penn College,
the students will participate in a final, 18-credit,
capstone semester at the Penn State Center for
Nanofabrication Education and Utilization at University
Park earning a competency credential in Nanofabrication
Technology from Penn College.
The Capstone Semester program gives students a chance to
hit the ground running in the high-tech world of the
nanotechnology, semiconductor and semiconductor supplier
industries. An education in nanofabrication
manufacturing technology can open pathways to
well-paying careers in pharmaceuticals and biomedical
applications, micro-electromechanical devices (MEM’s),
opto-electronics, sensors, power electronics and of
course, microelectronics (chips).
Prior to scheduling your high school courses in the spring,
students can talk to their school counselor to receive
information on how to enroll in this exciting program. An
application packet is available from your school district’s
point of contact. Final determination of course and program
eligibility can only be determined after the student has
completed the Penn College placement tests. Check with your
local school district’s point of contact to see when these tests
are scheduled.
Jump start your future--with NanoTrek! |
