Physical Sciences
Questions? Contact Us.
Dr. Stephen Rodrigue
Physical Sciences Department Head
srodrigue@yvcc.edu
509-574-4854
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.
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.
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.
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.
CCN Courses (Common Course Numbering)
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.
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.
CCN Courses (Common Course Numbering)
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.
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.
CCN Courses (Common Course Numbering)
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.
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 | 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 |