STEM Index

As one of the only top liberal arts colleges with an Astronomy major, Whitman is an ideal place for you to explore the nature of the universe and satisfy your curiosity through scientific inquiry.

The Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB) major integrates biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to investigate some of today’s most critical life sciences questions in all their complexity and equips graduates with a strong foundation in research to answer them.

As a Biology major at Whitman, you’ll study all forms of life, from the molecular to the ecological. You’ll do original research alongside amazing professors, and you’ll have lots of opportunities to put your knowledge to work outside the classroom.

Brain, Behavior and Cognition combines the best of Whitman’s Biology and Psychology programs into one challenging and fascinating neuroscience-focused major. This program will hone your research skills, teach you to think deeply and critically about the mind, and prepare you for a future as a scientist.

With small classes, a hands-on approach to learning, and faculty who have a strong dedication to teaching and vibrant research agendas, Whitman is one of the best colleges in the Northwest for Chemistry majors.

Beyond fundamental programming and coding skills, the essence of computer science is problem-solving. As a Computer Science major at Whitman, you will develop the computational skills to create innovative solutions that truly help others.

Explore the crossroads of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science as you learn to ethically analyze and visualize data to tell important stories about the world around us. This minor has wide-ranging applications to science, the humanities, business and more.

The distribution of resources shapes our world in countless ways. The study of Economics at Whitman will expand your global perspective and help you understand economic behaviors in the real world.

Spend your first three years at Whitman. Then transfer to one of our prestigious partner schools to complete the final two years of your Engineering degree. You’ll get a well-rounded liberal arts education alongside in-depth preparation for an engineering career.

The natural world undeniably shapes and is shaped by humans. To understand and influence this interaction for the better, you need the intellectual and practical tools to study environmental issues from multiple points of view.

Want to work outdoors and have a positive impact on the environment? After three years at Whitman, you’ll be prepared to transfer to Duke University, where you can go on to complete a master’s degree in Forestry or Environmental Management.

If you’re fascinated by the ground beneath our feet, enjoy hands-on learning outdoors, and want to study the impact of geological forces on human society, the Geology major at Whitman is one of a kind.

This concentration brings together diverse perspectives to help you understand how people interact with the designed world—and how to create solutions that put people first. It will supercharge your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Mathematics and Statistics hold the power to foster abstract thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify and communicate patterns. Those are also hallmarks of a liberal arts education. So it makes sense that the two blend perfectly at Whitman.

Discover the wonders of the marine world. Over five years of combined study, you can earn your Bachelor of Arts in Biology or Geology from Whitman alongside a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from the University of Washington.

Physics uncovers how the systems around us work—from subatomic particles to clusters of galaxies. As a Physics major, you’ll learn to leverage that knowledge to advance our understanding of the universe and solve everyday problems.

If you’re curious about the complexity of human behavior, Psychology may be a good major for you. Through critical analysis and creative scientific studies, Whitman’s Psychology program offers amazing insights into why we humans do what we do.

Sociology reveals patterns in the way we organize and interact as people. It sheds light on everything from the media to our criminal justice system to our connection with the natural world. In both the Sociology and the combined Sociology-Environmental Studies majors at Whitman, you’ll gain the tools to understand how your story intersects with bigger social forces.