Physical Sciences Department

Physical science is concerned with the study of nature, such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology, and analyzing the nature and properties of energy and nonliving matter.

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Academic Options

The associate in arts - direct transfer agreement (DTA) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. YVC offers a variety of disciplines so that students can select their course load based on their area of interest within this degree. These courses are recommended as guidelines for state transfer. For assistance with course selection, contact the program faculty or the Advising Center.

Students please note: To insure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

The associate in arts - direct transfer agreement (DTA) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. YVC offers a variety of disciplines so that students can select their course load based on their area of interest within this degree. These courses are recommended as guidelines for state transfer. For assistance with course selection, contact the program faculty or the Advising Center.

Students please note: To insure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

The associate in arts - direct transfer agreement (DTA) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. YVC offers a variety of disciplines so that students can select their course load based on their area of interest within this degree. These courses are recommended as guidelines for state transfer. For assistance with course selection, contact the program faculty or the Advising Center.

Students please note: To insure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

 

Areas of Interest

Astronomy

Astronomy 100 - A Survey of Astronomy - is a beginning level course of Astronomy which seeks to describe the workings of our Solar System and its various components, the structure of the Universe as we see it, and the theories behind the origins of the Universe's many components.

Chemistry

Chemical substances are the very building blocks of life; and as such, the study of chemistry provides insight into most of the scientific areas of study. Courses at Yakima Valley College are designed to support study in allied fields, as well as provide a foundation for further study in chemistry.

Geology

A basic group of geology courses is offered so that students may gain an understanding of the Earth's surfaces and interior, and the processes that have changed Earth through time. Students who take basic geology courses at YVC learn geology through classroom activities, lab work, field trips, and assigned readings. They acquire the ability to examine the natural world analytically, using skills developed in department courses and drawing conclusions from their observations.

Courses are taught for students who wish to explore the field for future study, to satisfy natural science requirements, or to learn for personal enrichment.

Physics

Physics is a fundamental science. All other sciences (and most technologies) find their roots in physics. Physics principles are logical and simple and yet far-reaching in their application.

Introduction to Physics - is a survey course designed to introduce and enhance a student's understanding of elementary physics. This course emphasizes a more conceptual and less mathematical approach to physics. The introductory physics course is a good beginning science while the general physics and engineering physics courses give strong backgrounds in classical physics (i.e., mechanics, energy, work, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and waves) and a brief introduction to modern physics (i.e., relativity and quantum mechanics).

General Physics - I, II, III - are non-calculus based, intended for non-science majors. These courses can be used to satisfy a general or non-calculus based physics requirement at a university.

Engineering Physics - I, II, III are calculus based, intended for the transfer student majoring in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering. The sequence of subjects are similar to the general physics sequence but the topics are considered from a more rigorous mathematical viewpoint. These courses can be used to satisfy an engineering or calculus-based physics requirement at a university.

 

STEM Pathway

If you choose this pathway you are likely working toward a Direct Transfer Degree (DTA) to continue on to a university or other four year college.

Students can focus on one of the following disciplines while pursuing an Associate in Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA), and Associate in Business – Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Ready Pathway (AA-DTA/MRP), or an Associate in Science – Transfer Track 1 (AS-T T1) or Track 2 (AS-T T2).

Program Learning Outcomes for the Associate in Science, AS-T Track 1 and Track 2:

  • Humanities: students will create, examine, interpret, and/or qualitatively evaluate products of human expression through the arts, language, literature, philosophy, culture, and/or religion.
  • Natural Sciences: Students will demonstrate knowledge, comprehension and application of scientific concepts and insights as well as employ scientific or mathematical inquiry.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Students will use mathematical skills or symbolic reasoning to analyze and interpret quantitative information and draw conclusions.
  • Social Sciences: Students will analyze human behaviors and the products and impacts of those behaviors using social science methodologies and theoretical approaches.
  • Written Communication: Students will use a process to make conscious rhetorical choices to compose texts in varying situations, modalities, and genres.

 

Physical Sciences Department Contacts

Name Job Title Email Phone Office Location
Natalia Dunn Chemistry Instructor
Yakima Campus
ndunn@yvcc.edu 509.574.4524 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 252
Dr. Tanya Knickerbocker Chemistry Instructor
Yakima Campus
tknickerbocker@yvcc.edu 509.574.4853 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 248
Dr. Sam Mazhari Chemistry Instructor
Yakima Campus
smazhari@yvcc.edu 509.574.4887 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 256
Dr. Stephen Rodrigue Physics Instructor
Yakima Campus
Department Head
srodrigue@yvcc.edu 509.574.4854 Engineering & Physics Center
Building 34, Room 118
Zach Schierl Science Instructor
Yakima Campus
zschierl@yvcc.edu 509.834.4548 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 259
Suki Smaglik Chemistry Instructor
Yakima Campus
ssmaglik@yvcc.edu 509.834.4538 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 247
Katharine Solada Geology Instructor
Yakima Campus
ksolada@yvcc.edu 509-574-6800 x3293 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 258
Emeka Udenze Chemistry Instructor
Yakima Campus
eudenze@yvcc.edu 509.834.4511 Glenn Anthon Hall
Building 04, Room 239


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