Computer Science • 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
Students working on the interdisciplinary Cascadia 9.0 video game.
Home / Academics / Computer Science Computer Science Computer science will enable you to understand, build, and modify the systems that pervade modern life. It is a rich mode of problem solving, a lever for changing society, and a medium of artistic expression. 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 Computer Science? Computer systems and their algorithms are both practically useful and fascinating subjects of inquiry. From physical architecture to abstract models of computation, from the challenge of crafting and maintaining complex software to the ways computing pervades modern society, computer science is a quintessential liberal art. Our department welcomes all students and encourages them to develop the skill, passion, and wisdom that will be needed to build a better future for everyone. Apply Visit What You’ll Study We offer two computer science majors ( computer science and computer science and mathematics ), one minor ( computer science ), and one optional cybersecurity concentration. Our curriculum provides students with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computing and the construction of complex software systems. Outside the classroom, social events include our annual pumpkin carving contest and the legendary Chinese Food and German Board Games parties. The department hosts a regular colloquium series featuring presentations by students, faculty, and guest speakers. Our students regularly participate in the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, the National Cyber League, and the Pacific Rim Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. Our faculty mentor students in research experiences during the academic year and through the paid Rogers Summer Science Program. 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
Digital Media with Assistant Professor Brian House
The class simultaneously introduced me to the world of coding and expanded my views on what art can be; I have yet to take a class as fun and impactful as that one has been.
I always had a smile on my face going into my Japanese courses!
I love that, over the many courses I took in the Japanese program included plenty of relevant cultural information along with the vocabulary and grammar we were learning. A little bit of folklore here, a little bit of modern Japanese food culture there—we were always learning on multiple fronts, and each class felt like a long, pleasant conversation.
The Undead in Russian Literature and Film with Assistant Professor Maria Hristova
It was a really cool course that blended history and art with a specific focus—pretty different from most of my coursework. We had to submit a creative project that reflected the themes of the class, and I made a video with friends reimagining a short story by Dostoevsky called “Bobok.” We shot it in the graveyard near campus.
Operating Systems with Assistant Professor Alain Kägi and Computer Security with Professor Jens Mache
Both classes were brand new to the computer science department at the time and were taught by two professors I’ve had before. This was the moment when I discovered that there was so much more to computer science than just coding programs.
Fernley has so much insight about breaking into the industry and how to write a spec script. Most of the class is focused on writing and workshopping our own screenplays, which includes reading them aloud and discussing them as a class. It’s so much fun to hear everyone’s ideas and see their screenplays come to fruition.
Network Security with Professor of Computer Science Jens Mache
This class challenged my problem-solving skills and taught me about the intricacies of our modern network systems. This class was also a lot of fun because, as students, we were able to apply what we learned through real-world scenarios.
Philosophy: Ethics with Visiting Assistant Professor Eli Lichtenstein
I left with a vast array of knowledge and critical-thinking procedures that I was not aware I lacked. What’s more, I got the experience of having a professor who cares about and values his students, and is someone who wants to get involved even outside of class.
Operating Systems with Computer Science Lecturer Alain Kägi
This class taught me the building blocks of computers, and showed me the assumptions I had about operating systems. I was able to put theory into practice by working on fundamental programming problems.
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 mathematics . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark My favorite class has been Network Security with Professor Jens Mache. This class challenged me, taught me about the intricacies of modern network systems, and allowed me to apply what I learned to real-world scenarios. Natalie Zoz BA ’23 Computer science | Chinese, Data Science (double) | Lincoln, Nebraska More about Natalie I appreciate the range of academic possibilities available at L&C, no matter your declared path and major. Kenan Imamovic BA ’25 Computer Science and Psychology (double) | Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina More about Kenan With different AI Applications and tools in the world, there is much that has and will change. Computer science is the field that makes that happen, and is beginning to play a transformative role in our world. Farjad A. Madataly BA ’25 Computer Science and Mathematics | Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation | Antananarivo, Madagascar More about Farjad What Can You Do With a Degree in Computer Science? Our alumni use their BA in computer science 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 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 It is challenging to learn to use sophisticated tools and wrestle with difficult problems in game design and software development. I enjoy exploring these things in conversation with our students, who bring diverse perspectives and positive energy. Associate Professor of Computer Science Peter Drake More about Peter 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 The student-run Math Club and the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery organize social and academic events, including hackathons, workshops, and game jams. L&C laid the groundwork of my acting training, and introduced me to the theatre community in Portland. I used that training o prepare myself for grad school auditions, and I’m now at Yale School of Drama. Liam Beveridge BA ’20 Theatre and Computer Science (double) | Seattle, Washington More about Liam I was hired by two awesome Lewis & Clark alumni for a role where I had experience from two awesome on-campus jobs. Sam Peers Nitzberg BA ’19 Computer Science and Psychology (double) | Maplewood, New Jersey More about Sam Computer science is the future! Well, more or less. Technology will always be evolving and I want to be there with it. Ross Miyabuchi BA ’22 Computer Science | Maui, Hawai’i More about Ross Featured News AI Helps Students ‘Take the Hint’ Ishan Abraham BA ’26 and a team of collaborators are developing an AI-powered learning system that delivers hints during hands-on cybersecurity exercises. Their work will be presented at next year’s 21st International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security in Wilmington, North Carolina. Read the story More News and Events → Peter Drake Associate Professor of Computer Science, Chair-Department of Computer Science drake@lclark.edu 503-768-7539 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
