Lewis & Clark Offers New Data Science Major

Lewis & Clark has approved a new data science major, expanding an already popular program and signaling the college’s commitment to preparing students for a world increasingly shaped by data, technology, and complex social challenges. Students can declare the major beginning next fall.

Building on the success of the data science minor, launched in 2021, the new major brings together computing, statistics, and subject expertise from across the liberal arts. The result is a program that emphasizes not only technical fluency, but also ethical reasoning, communication, and real-world application.

Professor Ellen Seljan“Data science is much more than numbers,” says Professor of Political Science Ellen Seljan, who led the interdisciplinary committee designing the new major. “It’s about how data shapes decisions—in health care, politics, environmental policy, and everyday life. Our major teaches students to work with data responsibly and thoughtfully, in ways that align with Lewis & Clark’s liberal arts mission.”

From a Growing Minor to a Full Major

Student interest in data science at Lewis & Clark has grown steadily over the past several years. Since the minor debuted, more than 40 students have declared it, making data science one of the most popular minors on campus. Students pursuing the minor come from across academic divisions, reflecting the program’s broad appeal.

“The demand was clear,” Seljan says. “Students were already combining statistics, computer science, and applied courses across departments. The major gives them a coherent, intentional pathway to do that work at a deeper level.”

National trends reinforce that momentum. Data science is among the fastest-growing career fields in the United States, with applications spanning business, public health, environmental science, public policy, and beyond. But Lewis & Clark’s approach distinguishes itself by grounding technical training in critical thinking and ethical inquiry.

An Interdisciplinary Model

Unlike many data science programs that are housed narrowly within mathematics or computer science, Lewis & Clark’s major draws on faculty from a wide range of disciplines. Current contributors include faculty in political science, biology, environmental studies, economics, and other fields.

That interdisciplinary staffing model sets the program apart from many peer institutions and reflects L&C’s broader academic culture, where data science is taught as a tool for understanding complex human and natural systems.

“Data doesn’t exist in isolation,” Seljan says. “Every dataset has a context, a purpose, and consequences. Our students learn to analyze data—and to ask who collected it, why it matters, and how it should be used.”

A Laddered Curriculum

The data science major is intentionally structured to guide students from foundational skills to independent, applied work.

Students begin with introductory coursework in programming, mathematics, and statistics, establishing computational and analytical fluency. Intermediate courses emphasize working with real datasets, applying statistical models, and developing data-driven arguments. Courses focused on data ethics and social impact ensure students grapple with issues such as bias, privacy, and equity.

Upper-level requirements include experiential learning opportunities—such as internships, practicums, or applied research—as well as a senior capstone project that integrates technical analysis with written and oral communication. In many cases, students will work directly with community partners, applying data science skills to real-world data with meaningful impact.

Next year, data science students will be able to complete a two-course progression through L&C’s Career Accelerator. The first course focuses on professional preparation for obtaining a paid internship, while the second class encapsulates the actual data science internship.

Skills Meet Opportunity

The newly approved major reflects experiences students are already having—where technical skills intersect with personal interests and purpose.

Isabella Moore BA ’26, a political science major with a data science minor, has been struck by the breadth of the field and the range of opportunities it creates. “Data science is the most interdisciplinary academic subject I’ve encountered,” says Moore. “I’ve had the opportunity to do research on subjects as diverse as public health, urban planning, environmental science, and biology. I plan to use my data science minor in public policy, but I’m also applying for positions across the private sector as a strong candidate.”

Dianara Sagastizado BA ’27 is a biochemistry/molecular biology major who plans to pursue the data science major. For her, the data science program has been as much about mentorship and growth as technical skill. “I came to Lewis & Clark with no coding experience, and at times I didn’t have the vocabulary to explain my ideas,” says Sagastizado. “My professors met me where I was and pushed me to grow, supporting projects like website building and infographics for the Multnomah County Health Department. Jeremy McWilliams, head of digital services at Watzek Library, was my first introduction to data science and has been a constant source of encouragement.”

Career Preparation

The new major strengthens Lewis & Clark’s ability to prepare students for meaningful careers and advanced study. Graduates will be competitive for roles in data analysis, research, policy, business analytics, and technology, as well as for graduate programs in data science and related fields.

At the same time, the major reflects the college’s broader educational mission. “Our goal isn’t just to train data scientists,” Seljan says. “It’s to graduate people who can think clearly, act ethically, and use data to contribute to a more just society.”

With the approval of the data science major, Lewis & Clark is offering students a powerful new way to turn curiosity into impact—one dataset at a time.

Data Science