Getting Started in a Major or Minor
Majors offer students the opportunity to study an area in depth, explore key scholarly questions, and contribute to critical conversations in the field. Students must complete one major to graduate and must declare a major after earning 45 credits (including credits earned from AP, IB, dual credit programs, or transfer institutions).
In addition to a major, students may select a minor. A minor can be a limited version of a major, a more specialized subset of a particular field of study, or a structured opportunity to explore areas of study that are interdisciplinary in scope. Minors are optional.
Requirements for majors/minors are listed in the Undergraduate College Catalog.
Most departments and programs offer introductory courses, appropriate for first-year students, to the major and minor (100-level or 200-level courses with an F).
Note: Refer to the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) equivalency charts to see if credits may be applied to a major or minor.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Art Department website
Recommended first course: Try taking a course in a medium you might specialize in, such as:
ART 106: Intro to Video Art
ART 113: Sculpture I
ART 115: Drawing I
ART 116: Ceramics I
ART 117A: Painting Fundamentals
ART 120: Photography I
Note: If all courses in a medium you might specialize in are full, any studio art course is recommended. If you can’t get into a studio art course, an art history class is also helpful as it counts towards the major.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Art Department website
Recommended first course:
ART 100: Key Monuments
Other courses to consider:
ART 207-F1: Pre-Columbian Art
ART 208-F1: Ancient Art
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Department of Art website
Recommended first course:
ART 100: Key Monuments
Any 100-level studio art course
Other courses to consider:
ART 207-F1: Pre-Columbian Art
ART 208-F1: Ancient Art
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Asian Studies website
Recommended first course:
If interested in China or Japan Concentration, continue with take CHIN 102: Beginning Chinese II or JAPN 102: Beginning Japanese II from fall (or higher level based on placement exam results).
Other courses to consider:
AS 251-F1: Contemporary Korean Culture
HIST 259-F1: India: Age of Empire
JAPN 290-F1 or 291-F1: Introduction to Japanese Literature in Translation
SOAN 284-F1: Anthropology of Print Media
Note: Students may also considering enrolling in ECON 100: Introduction to Economics, IA 100: Introduction to International Relations, RHMS 100: Introduction to Rhetoric and Media Studies, SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology, or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Completing one of these prerequisite classes will allow students maximum flexibility to enroll in subsequent course in the major or minor.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology website
Recommended first course:
BIO 110: Biological Investigations
MATH 131: Calculus I
Other courses to consider:
BIO 202-F1: Biological Core Concepts: Mechanisms (based on enrollment in BIO 110 in fall; may be taken concurrently with CHEM 120)
CHEM 120: General Chemistry II (based on enrollment in CHEM 110 in fall)
MATH 132: Calculus II
PHYS 142: Introduction to General Physics II (based on enrollment in PHYS 141: Introduction to General Physics I in fall) or PHYS 152: Waves and Matter (based on enrollment in PHYS 151: Motion in fall)
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Biology website
Recommended first course:
BIO 110: Investigations in Biology
Other courses to consider:
CS 171: Computer Science I
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start Math at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 131: Calculus I
Note: It is possible to postpone BIO 110 until the sophomore year, though it is highly recommended that you complete BIO 110 in your first year. Taking both BIO 110 and completing the general chemistry requirement (Chem 110 and 120) in the first year provides maximum flexibility in terms of planning for overseas study, senior research, and preparation for graduate and professional school. If you DO postpone one of these, then consider enrolling in CS 171, MATH 115, or MATH 131.
Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Major, minor
Visit the Chemistry website
Recommended first course:
CHEM 120: General Chemistry II (based on enrollment in CHEM 110 in fall or qualifying AP, IB, or transfer credit)
Other courses to consider:
MATH 131: Calculus I
MATH 132: Calculus II
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Chinese website
Recommended first course:
CHIN 102: Beginning Chinese II (based on enrollment in CHIN 101 in fall or placement exam results) or CHIN 202-F1: Intermediate Chinese II (based on placement exam results)
Note: Only courses beyond CHIN 202: Intermediate Chinese II apply to the Chinese minor or the World Language major. All incoming students who have an interest in the subject and/or background in the language may contact Keith Dede, Section Head for Chinese, for further information (dede@lclark.edu).
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Classics Department website
Recommended first course:
GRK 102: Classical Greek II (based on enrollment in GRK 101: Classical Greek I in fall or placement exam results)
LATN 202-F1: Virgil’s Aeneid (based on enrollment in LATN 201 in fall or placement exam results)
Other courses to consider:
Art 208-F1: Ancient Art
CLAS-100: Ancient Greek Myth
RELS 224-F1: Jewish Origins
Note: All incoming students who have taken Ancient Greek or Latin in high school should contact Gordon Kelly, chair of the Classics Department (gkelly@lclark.edu), in order to take the appropriate placement exam. The results of the exam will determine which level of Greek or Latin the student should take.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Mathematical Sciences (incorporating Computer Science) website
Recommended first course:
CS 171: Computer Science I
Other recommended courses:
CS 172: Computer Science II (based on enrollment in CS 171 in fall or AP or IB HL exam results)
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 131: Calculus I
MATH 132: Calculus II
MATH 255: Statistical Concepts and Methods
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Mathematical Sciences (incorporating Computer Science) website
Recommended first course:
MATH 131: Calculus I (or higher level based on AP or IB HL exam results)
CS 171: Computer Science I (or higher level based on AP or IB HL exam results)
Other courses to consider:
CS 172: Computer Science II (based on enrollment in CS 171 in fall or AP or IB HL exam results)
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start Math at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 132: Calculus II ((based on enrollment in MATH 131 in fall or AP or IB HL exam results)
MATH 215-F1: Discrete Mathematics
MATH 225-F1: Linear Algebra
MATH 233-F1: Calculus III
MATH 255: Statistical Concepts and Methods
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Dance website
Recommended first course:
TH 106: Fundamentals of Movement
Other courses to consider:
TH 110A: Theatre Laboratory
TH 113: Acting I: Fundamentals
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Economics Department website
Recommended first course:
ECON 100: Principles of Economics
Other recommended courses:
ECON 103: Statistics (PSY 200-F1 or MATH 105 may be used in place of ECON 103)
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start Math at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 131: Calculus I
Note: Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Exam, and receive credit for their exam, are not eligible to also earn credit for MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics, ECON 103: Statistics, or PSY 200: Statistics I.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the English Department website
Recommended first course:
ENG 100-01: Topic: Gothic Literature
ENG 105: The Art of the Novel
ENG 201-F1: Introduction to Poetry and Poetry Writing
ENG-209-F1: Introduction to American Literature
ENG-235-F1: Topics in Literature: Radical Film
ENG-241-F1: Text & Image: Sister Arts
ENG-243-F1: Women Writers
Other courses to consider: The following courses are open to first-year students, but are more commonly taken in the sophomore year:
ENG 205-F1: Major Periods and Issues in English Literature
ENG 206-F1: Major Periods and Issues in English Literature
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation website
Recommended first course:
ELI-102: Introduction to Design Thinking
ELI-103: Leadership
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Environmental Studies website
Recommended first course:
ENVS 160: Introduction to Environmental Studies (this course is offered in both fall and spring, and can be taken either semester of first year)
Other courses to consider:
BIO 110: Investigations in Biology
ECON 100: Principles in Economics
PHIL 215-F1: Philosophy and the Environment
IA 100: Introduction to International Relations
SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Ethnic Studies website
Courses to consider:
ART 207-F1: Pre-Columbian Art
HIST 134-01: U.S. History, Revolution to Empire
HIST 142-01: Modern Latin American History
HIST 208-F1: Asian Ameican History in U.S.
Note: Students may also considering enrolling in IA 100: Introduction to International Relations, RHMS 100: Introduction to Rhetoric and Media Studies, SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology, or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Completing one of these prerequisite classes will allow students maximum flexibility to enroll in subsequent course in the minor.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the French Studies website
Recommended first course:
For those with no prior experience: FREN 101: Beginning French I
For those with prior experience: begin with course recommended by the French Placement Exam
Note: Only courses beyond FREN 202: Intermediate French II apply to the French Studies major or minor, or the World Language major.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Gender Studies website
Recommended first course:
GEND 200-F1: Genders and Sexuality in U.S. Society
GEND 231-F1: Genders and Sexualities in Global Perspective
Other courses to consider:
PSY 260-F1: Social Psychology
PSY 230-F1 or F2: Infant and Child Development
TH 106: Fundamentals of Movement
Note: Students may also considering enrolling in PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology, RHMS 100: Introduction to Rhetoric and Media Studies, SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology, or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Completing one of these prerequisite classes will allow students maximum flexibility to enroll in the minor.
PSY 260-F1 and PSY 230-F1/F2 are only open to students who have satisfied the PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology prerequisite.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the German Studies website
Recommended first course:
For those with no prior experience: GERM 101: Beginning German I
For those with prior experience: begin with course recommended by the German Placement Exam
Note: Only courses beyond GERM 202: Intermediate German II apply to the German Studies major or the World Language major.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Health Studies website
Courses to consider:
ECON 103: Statistics, PSY 200-F1: Statistics, or MATH 255-F1: Statistical Concepts and Methods (based on qualifying AP/IB exam scores or transfer credit)
PSY 240-F1: Abnormal Psychology or PSY 280-F1: Brain and Behavior
Note: PSY 240-F1 and PSY 280-F1 are only open to students who have satisfied the PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology prerequisite.
Students may also considering enrolling in BIO 110: Investigations in Biology, ECON 100: Principles in Economics, PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology, RHMS 100: Introduction to Rhetoric and Media Studies, SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Completing one of these prerequisite classes will allow students maximum flexibility to enroll in subsequent course in the minor.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Hispanic Studies website
Recommended first course:
For those with no prior experience: SPAN 101: Beginning Spanish I
For those with prior experience: begin with course recommended by the Spanish Placement Exam
Other courses to consider:
HIST 142: Modern Latin American History
Note: Only language courses beyond Span 202: Intermediate Spanish II apply to the Hispanic Studies major.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the History Department website
Recommended first course:
HIST 121-01: Modern European History
HIST 134-01: U.S. Revolution to Empire
HIST 142-01:Modern Latin American History
Other courses to consider:
HIST 208-F1: Asian American History in the U.S.
HIST 243-F1: African American History
HIST 259-F1: India: Age of Empire
Course of Study: Major
Visit the International Studies website
Recommended first course:
IA 100: Introduction to International Relations
Other courses to consider:
ECON 100: Principles of Economics
ECON 103: Statistics or MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics
POLS 102: Introduction to Comparative Politics
SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Note: Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Exam, and receive LC credit for their exam, are not eligible to also earn credit for MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics, ECON 103: Statistics, or PSY 200: Statistics I.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Japanese website
Recommended first course:
For those with prior experience: begin with course recommended by the Japanese Placement Exam
Note: Only courses beyond JAPN 202: Intermediate Japanese II apply to the Japanese minor or the World Language major.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Latin American Studies website
Recommended first course:
HIST 142: Modern Latin America History
Spanish language course recommended by the Spanish Placement Exam
Other courses to consider:
IA 100: Introduction to International Relations
SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Mathematical Sciences website
Recommended first course:
Math 131: Calculus I (if no previous calculus experience; dependent upon ALEKS placement), Math 132: Calculus II (with qualifying AP AB or IB HL exam results), or Math 233: Calculus III (with qualifying AP BC exam results)
Other courses to consider (with qualifying AP BC exam results):
MATH 215-F1: Discrete Mathematics
MATH 225-F1: Linear Algebra
MATH 255-F1: Stastical Concepts and Methods
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Middle East and North African Studies website
Recommended first course:
ARB 102: Beginning Arabic II or ARB 201: Intermediate Arabic I (registration based on Arabic Language placement results)
Other courses to consider:
HIST 259-F1: India: Age of Empire
RELS 224-F1: Jewish Origins
Note: Students may considering enrolling in IA 100: Introduction to International Relations, SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology, or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Completing one of these prerequisite classes will allow students maximum flexibility to enroll in subsequent courses in the minor.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Music Department website
Recommended first course:
MUS 100: Music Theory Fundamentals or MUS 200: Music Theory II (depending upon Music Theory Placement Exam results. It is strongly recommended that first-year students considering the music major take MUS 100 as a first-year student)
Other courses to consider:
MUS 106: Workshops in World Music
MUS 163: History of Western Music II
Music Performance Ensemble(s)
Music Applied Lessons or Performance Classes
Note: Please consult the Music Department’s Registration Information for New Students for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Neuroscience website
Recommended first course:
BIO 110: Investigations in Biology
PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology
Other courses to consider:
CS 171: Computer Science I
ECON 103: Statistics
MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start Math at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 131: Calculus I
PHIL 101: Logic
PSY 200-F1: Statistics I
PSY 220-F1: Thinking, Memory, and Problem Solving
PSY 280-F1: Brain and Behaviour
Notes: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Students who earn and receive credit for a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Exam are not eligible to also earn credit for MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics, ECON 103: Statistics, or PSY 200: Statistics I.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Philosophy Department website
Recommended first course:
PHIL 101: Logic
PHIL 103: Ethics
Other courses to consider:
PHIL 201-F1: Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 215-F1: Philosophy and the Environment
PHIL 217-F1: Topics: Marxism
PHIL 217-F2: Phenomenology/Existentialism
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Physics Department website
Recommended first course:
PHYS 152: Physics II: Waves and Matter (based on qualifying AP/IB exam results or transfer credit)
MATH 132: Calculus II (may be taken concurrently with PHYS 152: Physics II: Waves and Motion)
Other courses to consider:
MATH 115: Elementary Functions (recommended if a student is not prepared to start Math at the level of MATH 131: Calculus I)
MATH 132: Calculus II
MATH 225-F1: Linear Algebra
MATH 233-F1: Calculus III
Note: Please consult advice for Prospective Math, Science, and Environmental Studies Majors for further guidance.
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Political Economy website
Recommended first course:
ECON 100: Principles of Economics
HIST 142: Modern Latin American History
IA 100: Introduction to International Relations
SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Political Science website
Recommended first course:
POLS 102: Introduction to Comparative Politics
POLS 103: Introduction to American Politics
Other courses to consider:
ECON 100: Principles of Economics or IA 100: Introduction to International Relations
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Psychology Department website
Recommended first course:
PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology
PSY 200-F1: Statistics I (ECON 103 or MATH 105 may be used in place of PSY 200)
Other courses to consider:
PSY 220-F1:Thinking, Memory, and Problem Solving
PSY 230-F1: Infant and Child Development
PSY 240-F1: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 260-F1: Social Psychology
PSY 280-F1: Brain and Behavior
Note: AP Psychology exam scores of 4 or 5, and IB HL Psychology exam scores of 5, 6, or 7, are equivalent to PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology.
Students who earn and receive credit for a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics exam are not eligible to also earn credit for MATH 105: Perspectives in Statistics, ECON 103: Statistics, or PSY 200: Statistics I.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Religious Studies website
Recommended first course:
RELS 104: Religion and Violence
Other courses to consider:
RELS 224-F1: Jewish Origins
RELS 255-F1: American Religious Themes in TV
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Rhetoric and Media Studies website
Recommended first course:
RHMS 100: Introduction to Rhetoric and Media Studies
Other courses to consider:
RHMS 221-F1: Argument & Debate
RHMS 270-F1: Interpersonal Media
Course of Study: Minor
Visit the Russia website
Recommended first course:
For those with prior experience: begin with course recommended by the Russian Placement Exam
Note: Only courses beyond Rus 202: Intermediate Russian II apply to the Russian minor or the World Language major.
Course of Study: Major
Visit the Sociology and Anthropology Department website
Recommended first course:
SOAN 100: Introduction to Sociology or SOAN 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Course of Study: Major
Learn more about the Student-Designed Major.
First-year students are encouraged to explore coursework and get to know faculty in their general areas of interest. Development of a student-designed major involves selection of and consultation with a three-member faculty advisory committee, and submission of a formal proposal to the Curriculum Subcommittee on Petitions, Appeals, and Student-Designed Majors (SPAS). Students are urged to begin constructing a proposal prior to the start of sophomore year, as they must submit the proposal no later than the fifth week of the second semester of the sophomore year. To learn more about the student-designed major, please consult the with your Faculty and College Advisors, as well as the College Catalog for information about proposal criteria.
Course of Study: Major, Minor
Visit the Theatre Department’s website
Recommended first course:
TH 113: Acting I: Fundamentals
Other courses to consider:
TH 106: Fundamentals of Movement
TH 220-F1: Theatre Graphics
TH 234-F1: Stage Lighting
Course of Study: Major
Visit the World Language and Literature (formerly Foreign Languages) website
Recommended first course:
Students should enroll in primary language course recommended by placement exam results. Preferably, students will begin at the 200-level or higher
Note: Only courses beyond the 202: Intermediate II level apply to the World Language and Literature Major.
Pre-Professional Offerings
Lewis & Clark offers management courses in entrepreneurship, finance, and fiscal policy to help students develop technical knowledge in addition to the broad skills gained from a liberal arts education. For your first semester, explore possible majors based on your developing interests. Further information is available at the Guide to Students Interested in Business School/MBA Offerings.
Lewis & Clark offers several courses, and a Teachers Pathways program, for undergraduates who wish to explore the field of education. Students who are interested in becoming educators can start by taking ED 205: Education in a Complex World. All education courses are taught by faculty members in the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling and may incorporate off-campus experiences in elementary, middle, and/or high school classrooms in Portland Public Schools. These courses also provide a strong introduction to educational theory and practice that are necessary for further study in this field. Further information is available at the Guide to Students Interested in Education.
For students seeking a traditional engineering background leading to certification, Lewis & Clark has joined several nationally recognized engineering schools to offer a cooperative program that provides students with the advantages of a liberal arts education as a complement to rigorous studies in engineering. This engineering program, commonly referred to as the “3-2 Program,” enables a student to complete three years of study at Lewis & Clark, followed by two years at the engineering school. The student earns a degree from each school. Further information available at the Guide to Students Interested in Engineering.
Law schools do not require, and Lewis & Clark does not prescribe, a single course of study as pre-law preparation. In fact, students have gone to law school after majoring in every field. Your plans should be based on your interests and objectives in studying law. Further information available at the Guide to Students Interested in Law School.
Many courses required for admission to health-professional schools are sequential, so careful planning is essential. Students can begin to prepare for medical school by taking BIO 110: Biological Investigations and a math course (such as Math 115: Elementary Functions, Math 131: Calculus I, or Math 132: Calculus II) in your first semester. Further information available at the Guide to Students Interested in the Health Professions.
College Advising Center is located in room 206 of Albany Quadrangle on the Undergraduate Campus.
email cac@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7600
College Advising Center
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 129
Portland OR 97219