Physics - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Home / Academics / Physics Physics As a physics major, you will study the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of the universe—the laws and intrinsic properties of forces and matter, motion, cause and effect, and space and time. Our location close to Oregon Health & Science University, Nike, and Intel will provide you with opportunities to put that knowledge to work, giving you easy access to collaborations, internships, and employment. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Physics? Our curriculum for physics majors is thorough, rigorous, and diverse. At Lewis & Clark, you will benefit from access to well-equipped and well-managed machine and electronics shops and to a research astronomical telescope, and your life will be enriched by the amazing concepts and valuable skills you will learn. Our students are prepared for successful careers in physics, engineering, or any other field that requires creativity, logic, and commitment. Apply Visit What You’ll Study From the structure of the atomic nucleus, to the fundamental processes taking place in living cells, to the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe, the realm of physics is both well-traveled and yet still full of uncharted territory. Our program teaches key foundation material in theoretical, computational, and experimental physics, as well as a broad spectrum of mathematical approaches. In addition, our students pursue creative individual projects that are aligned with their personal interests and engage in cutting-edge, faculty-supervised scientific research. Research opportunities are available through classes and the paid Rogers Summer Science Program . Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program. Our 3-2 preprofessional engineering programs with partner schools enable you to pursue careers in mechanical engineering and other applied fields. Outside the classroom, the department hosts colloquia that provide stimulating exposure to cutting-edge scientific work. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Yung-Pin Chen’s Probability and Statistics
Concepts and approaches from statistics and probability pop up all over the place in math and physics courses, but taking that class gave me a new perspective about how the field is a synthesis of many topics that I’m really interested in. It really inspired me and helped shape my future career in statistics and data science.
Quantum is notorious for being difficult and “funky,” and Mohamed did a very good job of encouraging curiosity and showing mastery in his academic background.
It was the course during which I finally felt that I wasn’t learning to do science, but I was actually doing science. During the course, I learned to take a physical question, choose appropriate physical models or analogues to try to answer the question, then choose the right mathematical tools to make sense of those physical models, and finally how to use a computer to get us an easily understandable answer to what those mathematical tools are pointing us towards.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our physics majors are data science , Earth system science , and mathematics . I majored in physics because I am fascinated by the patterns and synergies found in natural phenomena. I wanted to learn the language of these dynamics and how it is elegantly encoded in the world around us. Joy Pajarla BA ’21 Physics | Philosophy | Surprise, Arizona More about Joy My physics major taught me to approach problems systematically, using mathematics as a language to describe the observable world. Meanwhile in my math major, I learned to think about that language more deeply. Lauren Dressler BA ’23 Physics, Math | Los Angeles, California More about Lauren The lab work we do really cemented the material we learned in class and shows us how what we learned in class could be seen in real life. Kate Meinhard BA ’26 Physics | Studio Art, Mathematics | Cleveland, Ohio More about Kate What Can You Do With a Degree in Physics? Our alumni use their BA in physics in a wide variety of careers, including academia, industry, patent law, and medicine. Many students also pursue one of our 3-2 preprofessional engineering programs and become successful engineers. 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. Physics faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, providing an opportunity that’s rarely available to undergraduates at other schools. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations. Meet the Professors I love teaching and mentoring students about as much as I enjoy doing research. That balance is best matched by being a professor at a small liberal arts college. The inclusive culture at Lewis & Clark stood out to me, and I really wanted to contribute to this community. Assistant Professor of Physics Ben Olsen More about Ben I enjoy the camaraderie shared by L&C students, their curiosity, problem-solving skills, tenacity, and courage to face challenges and find creative solutions. Assistant Professor of Physics Albert Bae More about Albert 2,139 As of fall 2024, there are 2,139 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College. 19 Average class size for undergraduate students Equity We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2025–26. 16% first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College 12% of our students are from countries other than the U.S. 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 . Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their physics major, like the Math Club and Physics Club . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You Looking back, and also comparing L&C to bigger schools, the amount of time that I got to spend one-on-one with professors was amazing. Having your professors know you, hold you accountable, and be really invested in your learning and future is invaluable. Megan Ayers BA ’19 Physics and Mathematics More about Megan 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 The classes I took at L&C were foundational and prepared me for much of my graduate coursework. Lauren Dressler BA ’23 Physics, Math | Los Angeles, California More about Lauren Physics Events May 9 Olin Sciences Graduation Reception Graduation reception for BCMB, Chemistry, and Physics May 9, 10:00 - 11:30 am Featured News Celebrating Professor Gourdine’s NSF Grant for Bladder Microbiome Research Read the story More News and Events → Stephen Tufte Department Chair and Associate Professor of Physics tufte@lclark.edu 503-768-7588 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
