STEM Pathway
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. If you are interested in these topics, the STEM Pathway is for you.
The STEM Pathway offers degrees and certificates for students who want to be doctors or dentists, pharmacists or physical therapists, students who want to design and build complex structures such as computer systems, machines, buildings, or who plan on managing farms, starting wineries, or pursuing research in any field of science or mathematics. Students interested in teaching high school sciences should also consider this pathway. While some degrees and certificates end at YVC, many of them transfer to four year colleges and universities.
As with all the pathways, you may choose to move to a different pathway at any time. If you so choose, an advisor can help you.
Areas of Interest
The Agriculture program serves as a partner with the diverse agriculture industry to provide students with the attitudes, abilities, and problem-solving capabilities to meet career responsibilities and lead agriculture into the future. As the number one employer in central Washington, the agriculture industry offers exciting and challenging career opportunities.
- Agribusiness
- Tree Fruit Production
- Vineyard Technology
- Wine Sales
- Winery Technology
Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe and Earth’s place within it. Astronomers study the planets and other bodies of our solar system (planetary science), stars and galaxies (astrophysics), and the origin and evolution of the universe itself (cosmology) using the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, and biology.
Students interested in a career in astronomy or a related field should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) or Associate in Science – Track 2 degree (AS-T T2) and then transfer to a college or university that offers astronomy or physics as a major. If choosing the AA-DTA option, it is important that students meet with an advisor and pursue as much coursework as possible in mathematics and foundational sciences so that they are ready to enter major-level coursework upon transferring. At YVC, students may take ASTR&100 for a general overview of the field. However, this course takes a conceptual (rather than mathematical) approach to astronomy and likely will not count toward an astronomy degree at a four-year institution. A lab course in planetary science (ASTR&110) is offered in the Fall that is tailored toward students planning to major in the field.
This program focuses on cellular biology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, botany, ecology, and evolution. The Biology Program promotes scientific literacy and analytical reasoning among our students. This prepares them for successful completion of dental hygiene, nursing, radiologic science, or veterinary technology programs, degrees at transfer institutions, and for participating in personal, cultural, social and environmental decision making as an educated citizen.
The Biology Program at YVC has a variety of courses that students can choose to complete their Associate of Arts Degree or an Associate in Science Transfer.
Chemistry courses at YVC serve students with varying academic backgrounds and goals. The chemistry courses also prepares students who intend to transfer into STEM majors or those pursuing a health science focused degree.
The Chemistry Program at YVC has a variety of courses that students can choose to complete their Associate of Arts Degree or an Associate in Science Transfer.
Computer Science courses at YVC serve students with varying academic backgrounds and goals. The Computer Science courses also prepare students who intend to transfer into STEM majors or those pursuing a health science-focused degree.
Our Associate in Computer Science DTA/MRP is a Direct Transfer Agreement/MRP agreement between the community and technical college system and Washington state universities. YVC offers this degree for students choosing to earn a pre-computer science degree in preparation for transfer.
Graduates with a 2.0 or better will be able to transfer with junior status with all or most prerequisites for the computer science major completed.
- Construction Design
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Drafting
All students needing to take mathematics at YVC are required to be evaluated through the YVC placement process before enrolling in a mathematics course.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Mathematics should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Mathematics as a major.
The Nutrition program emphasizes understanding the “whole food”; guiding students through a study of food, its individual components, how it affects the human body, and how it interacts with other foods. Our focus is to provide students with nutrition education that merges the science of nutrition with a broader view of wellness, community, and the environment. The Nutrition courses help prepare students for careers in dietetics, family and consumer science, and allied health as well as to transfer to other institutions to pursue undergraduate degrees.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Nutrition should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Nutrition as a major.
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. Course work is offered in introduction, general, and engineering physics. Introduction to Physics is a survey course designed to introduce and enhance a student’s understanding of elementary physics. General Physics – I, II, III are non-algebra/calculus based, intended for non-engineering, general science majors. These courses can be used to satisfy a general or non-algebra/calculus based physics requirement at a university. Engineering Physics – I, II, III are calculus-based, intended for the transfer student majoring in Physical Sciences. These courses can be used to satisfy an engineering or calculus-based physics requirement at a university.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Physics should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) or Associate in Science – Track 2 degree (AS-T T2) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Physics as a major.
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* See Advisor for details.