Charles Anderson/The Mossy Log
After its initial conception in 2019, the data science major was approved by a vote at the Feb. 3 faculty meeting. The major will expand on the already existing minor. This is the first new major created at Lewis & Clark in over a decade, the last being classical studies in 2013.
The motion to approve the new major was met with an overwhelming majority in favor and a round of applause from the body of voting faculty.
Ellen Seljan, professor of political science and director of the data science program, was a contributor behind the creation of the new major. Seljan commented on the enthusiasm of fellow faculty members in an interview with The Mossy Log.
“It absolutely felt good, but I also wasn’t surprised. The faculty at large have been working on this for more than five years,” Seljan said. “People were open to the idea of a data science major, particularly in the form that we have been building since the beginning which is a data science major that is true to the liberal arts.”
The data science major will not become its own formal department, instead acting as an interdisciplinary program. The major will include classes offered through a variety of specialties, including the mathematics, philosophy and computer science departments. There is also future coursework that will take place at the Law School and be staffed by the Career Center as well as electives by Law School Professors David Silverman and Tabrez Ebrahim.
In comparison with programs at comparable colleges, the LC data science major proposal describes greater flexibility with personal interest and a more interdisciplinary, liberal arts curriculum to set apart LC from other institutions.
“I think it makes it a stronger program,” Seljan said. “I’ve always thought that faculty who have an expertise not just in data science but also some sort of substantive domain, do a better job teaching and make more innovative and interesting coursework.”
Although the department plans on offering courses that intersect with other majors, the new data science major does account for a new hire. This new faculty member will most likely serve other roles outside of data science classes as well, having a dual title and being hired and tenured in an existing academic department.
Despite concerns around LC’s current budget deficit, the creation of this new major is seen as a possible draw for incoming students. As data science has risen in popularity across the country, LC’s Strategic Imperatives Advisory Council sees the creation of this new major as an avenue to address new student demand and increase applicants and retention. The creation of the new major was included in the L&C Advantage 2025-26 Strategic Initiative Priorities.
The proposal for the creation of the major addressed budget concerns:
“I know it may feel a bit dissonant to be adding programs at a time when we’re all thinking about budget stress, but I do believe the modest investment required to launch Data Science will be well worth it.”
Last year, Seljan juggled working on the creation of the new major and being on the Budget Advisory Committee.
“It was hard to hold those two thoughts at once,” Seljan said. “But it is important, and I think it is possible to do some strategic constriction on one side and expansion on the other. It is what keeps our university alive and thriving. It is difficult, but important.”
According to the proposal, as of Fall 2025, data science was the third-most declared minor, after health studies and entrepreneurial leadership and innovation.
“When you are in a budget environment where things are being cut, people are nervous about building something new,” Seljan said. “We are also in a state right now where there is strong demand for classes with quantitative expertise in them.”
The curriculum for the new major has already been set and will include an internship and practicum requirement. The major plans to have multiple possible pathways, catering to the students’ individual interests. There will be five data science courses offered this summer including Introduction to Data Science, Introduction to Computer Science, Statistical Concepts and Methods, Data Privacy and Ethics, and Introduction to GIS and Mapping. The first students with a data science major are expected to graduate in Spring 2027. Students who complete the five courses and an internship over the summer will be more than halfway through completing the major, encouraging earlier graduates.
Data science plans to launch its first study abroad program in Berlin in Fall 2027. This program will be offered in alternating years with the chemistry department.
The proposal for the creation of the major included a request for funding for additional library support to meet an expected increase in demand for technical support that was not approved. A dedicated computer lab that would function as a teaching space is a long-term goal Seljan and others are hoping to get funded.
Next steps for the data science steering committee include advocating for their operational budget and deciding where money will be allocated within the emerging major. Seljan emphasized a focus on advertising the new major and what makes LC’s approach unique to prospective students. Currently, data science has not received an increase in budget to align with the promotion from minor to major. However, the minor has been operating under budget. With more expenses expected next year, data science is more likely to use all of their budget.
“It is going to be good for the students. I think it is going to be a rigorous major, and people are going to learn skills, but it’s also going to be engaging,” Seljan said. “I also think it’s good for the college to be more interdisciplinary, we’re a small school, it is good to be collaborative… and hopefully it will be good for getting new students who are interested in this to the college too.”
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