Physical Sciences Mission Statement
The Butte College Department of Physical Sciences provides quality educational programs within a student-centered environment. We offer complete lower division transfer programs for physical science majors, as well as high-quality general education, program support and preparatory classes that serve the needs of our community.
Why Choose Butte College?
Students often ponder whether to attend Butte College for their lower division coursework (lower division
classes are the first two years of college) or go directly to a four-year institution. While some science students may do
well by attending a university as a freshman, most find it difficult. There are many reasons for this.
Most lower division classes at a university contain 200 or more students. Personal contact with your professor is difficult.
Lab and discussion classes are taught by graduate students who, in turn, are focused on their own studies. Instruction tends
to be impersonal and only the most self-disciplined students thrive. Even public universities are expensive: one year at
the University of California can cost $8,000 or more for fees and books. Compare this to the typical cost of about $1,000
for a Butte College student. What can you do with an extra $7,000?
Butte College is one of the premier public colleges in the country, with a national reputation for excellence.
Joy Johnson and Ikponmwosa Ogbeide get hands on experience in chemistry class.
The Physical Sciences Department
One of the first things you will appreciate about Butte College is the friendly environment, resembling
that of a small private college. Class sizes encourage personalized instruction, and labs are taught by dedicated professional
faculty members. Many of these faculty members have "real-world" industrial, research and government experience and have
also taught at major four-year universities, but who came to Butte because of their dedication to excellent teaching.
The facilities are outstanding, with new and well-maintained labs. You will also have the chance to get hands-on use of
state-of-the-art equipment normally reserved for upper division students. The math and science departments at Butte College have
a long record of success in transferring well-prepared students to university programs throughout the country.
Shandin Rudesill uses a rotary evaporator; Sam Molica uses an Infrared Spectrometer.
Student Advising
If you are pursuing a major in the physical sciences and would like advice on what
classes to take, please contact one of our faculty members. To find a
phone number or email address of someone who can help, use the Links bar on the right: click on your
field of interest then on the "contact information" link.
If you are interested in the sciences but are unsure of what field to pursue, please contact our
faculty.
Our instructors are experts in their field and have insight into what careers are possible with different degrees.
For more general information Chico State hosts a helpful website with descriptions of career
possibilities categorized by major. To visit this website,
click here.