• <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/86386_Computer_Science_Main_Image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86386"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86386_Computer_Science_Main_Image.rev.1607124216.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86386_Computer_Science_Main_Image.rev.1607124216.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86386_Computer_Science_Main_Image.rev.1607124216.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86386_Computer_Science_Main_Image.rev.1607124216.jpg" alt="Computer Science students presenting a research project at our annual Festival of Scholars." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="1103" data-max-h="1057" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Computer Science students presenting a research project at our annual Festival of Scholars.</div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/75458_Math_Pumpkin.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image75458"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/75458_Math_Pumpkin.rev.1540490816.jpg 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/75458_Math_Pumpkin.rev.1540490816.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/75458_Math_Pumpkin.rev.1540490816.jpg" alt="Pumpkin pi from the department's annual pumpkin carving contest." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="504" data-max-h="337" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Pumpkin pi from the department’s annual pumpkin carving contest.</div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image96273"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg" alt="Mathematical Sciences Hike 2022" width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/96273_IMG_4325_1_2.rev.1666216575.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Mathematical Sciences Hike 2022</div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/86489_Math_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86489"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg" alt="At Lewis & Clark, mathematical science is more than just equations. " width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86489_Math_main_image.rev.1607648593.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="3067" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> At Lewis & Clark, mathematical science is more than just equations. </div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/95722_bubble.png" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image95722"> <source type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95722_bubble.rev.1663039359.png 1x"/> <source type="image/webp" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95722_bubble.rev.1663039359.png 1x"/> <source type="image/png" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95722_bubble.rev.1663039359.png 1x"/> <source type="image/png" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95722_bubble.rev.1663039359.png 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95722_bubble.rev.1663039359.png" alt="Cubical bubble from the department's fall welcome back event." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="578" data-max-h="652" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Cubical bubble from the department’s fall welcome back event.</div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/75/width/650/95723_lounge_photo.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image95723"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg" alt="A Real Analysis team decides whether or not the complex numbers form an ordered field." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/75/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95723_lounge_photo.rev.1663039460.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> A Real Analysis team decides whether or not the complex numbers form an ordered field.</div>

Why Choose a Degree in Mathematics?

The mathematical sciences are structural mechanisms providing context for speculation and discovery; important tools for illuminating theories and implementing techniques from other disciplines; and art forms exhibiting aesthetic values. Our department prides itself on fostering a diverse community of students and faculty, where everyone is welcomed. You will graduate with a degree in mathematical sciences while being encouraged to engage deeply with the practice, passion, communication, and context of mathematical inquiry.

What You’ll Study

We offer three majors (computer science, computer science and mathematics, and mathematics), two minors (computer science and mathematics), and one optional cybersecurity concentration, all with several tracks depending on your interests. At the heart of our curriculum are the development of conceptual and computational intuition, sophistication in the analysis of complicated structures, and the interplay of these two with broadly based sets of technical skills and techniques. Many of our students earn course credit toward their computer science degree while on an overseas program.

Outside the classroom, we sponsor an annual math hike on Mount Hood or at the Oregon Coast. The physical layout of our department includes a space where students can gather in close proximity to faculty offices to study, socialize, and share a meal. We host a regular colloquium series featuring presentations by students, faculty, and guest speakers. We regularly participate in the William Lowell Putnam undergraduate mathematics competition, the COMAP Mathematical Contest in Modeling, the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, and cybersecurity competitions NCL and PRCCDC. Our faculty mentor students in research experiences during the academic year and through the paid Rogers Summer Science Program.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our computer science majors are data science, entrepreneurial leadership and innovation, and philosophy.

  • There’s no one right way to do college. Just try your best and don’t sweat the little things.

    Anna Schall BA ’20
    Mathematics, Economics (double) | Memphis, Tennessee
    More about Anna
  • I love how interdisciplinary my Hispanic studies major is because I’ve gotten to take courses from different departments like history and music, and I got to study abroad in Spain!

    Jenn Sosa Ramírez BA ’23
    Hispanic Studies | Mathematics | Richmond, California
    More about Jenn
  • L&C is true about what it is and upholds the values it espouses.

    Zafar Ali BA ’20
    Political Science, Economics | Tribal Areas, Pakistan
    More about Zafar

What Can You Do With a Degree in Mathematics?

Our alumni use their BA in mathematics in a variety of careers in research, academia, and at companies such as Nike, Suplari, Downstream, and Mentor Graphics. Many start their own companies, or go on to pursue advanced degrees.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

  • Top 

    For the seventh time in 10 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24.

  • 12:1 

    Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

  • Top 100 

    Lewis & Clark is in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list.

  • 15% 

    first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College

  • Equity 

    We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2023–24.

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

There are several scholarships and funds specifically for students in the mathematical sciences department. The Mathematical Sciences Student Assistance and Enrichment Fund provides assistance to eligible students with financial need and recognizes an outstanding graduating senior in the department. The Isaac Clark Memorial Fund for Physics and Mathematical Sciences provides grants for various educational opportunities for students in physics and mathematical sciences who demonstrate strong academic and leadership skills. The Christine Fredricks Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund is awarded annually to an outstanding junior or senior mathematics major who has demonstrated significant contributions to the department. The Mathematics Alumni Scholarship Fund, the premier award funded by mathematics alumni, supports an outstanding mathematics major, regardless of class standing, who has shown exceptional promise in the field of mathematics. The Shannon T. O’Leary Award is presented annually to a promising student in physics or mathematics, preferably a woman, to enhance their independent research efforts.

Find Your People

The student-run Math Club and the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery organize social and academic events, including panels and a pumpkin-carving contest held shortly before Halloween.


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

  • L&C provided a highly collaborative environment and interactions that have helped me be much better prepared for the interpersonal part of the workplace, while still giving me all of the knowledge I needed to succeed.

    Christopher Karagiannis BA ’20
    Computer Science and Mathematics | Athens, Greece
    More about Christopher
  • After graduation, I started my Master’s program in Physics at San Jose State. In my last semester, I applied and was offered a teaching job at my alma mater, Archbishop Mitty High School.

    Jeramy Albert BA ’19
    Mathematics / Physics Double Major
    More about Jeramy
  • I’ve found that my interdisciplinary undergraduate study has equipped me with the skills necessary to thrive in both corporate and academic environments. I owe my success to the devoted faculty members who advised me to always pursue that which stokes my curiosity.

    Justin Howerton BA ’21
    English and Computer Science and Mathematics (double) | Memphis, Tennessee
    More about Justin

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