Mathematical, Physical, and Computer Sciences

Build, model, experiment, and code. Reason logically and creatively about computational, mathematical, physical, and chemical systems. Work with modern computing and research technology.

Studies in chemistry, computer science, mathematics, earth sciences, and physics prepare you for careers and graduate study in a variety of fields, from alternative energy and cybersecurity to education and climate science.

Programs on this Path give you the support and freedom to dive into what you’re most passionate about. You will:

  • Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge computing, lab, and research technology
  • Work closely with faculty and classmates, learning collaboratively in a tight-knit community
  • Develop the skills you’ll need to join the ranks of professional mathematicians and scientists
  • Design and carry out individual and collaborative projects that can lead to advanced research

STEM for all

Diving into science, technology, engineering, and math can feel intimidating. That’s why programs are made accessible for everyone while still being rigorous and exciting. 

You’ll learn through hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom and apply your knowledge so you can build on your interests and gain new skills at a pace that works for you.

Many students say that studying STEM at Evergreen was the first time they felt confident in these fields, and many have gone on to successful careers or graduate studies in related areas.

Path concentrations

The Mathematical, Physical, and Computer Sciences Path offers programs in related concentration areas that you can mix and match.

Computer science 

Computer science programs give you dynamic skills in coding, cybersecurity, robotics, and more. You’ll get to apply your knowledge to practical problems in many fields and join a learning community with its eyes on the future.

Mathematics 

The mathematics community at Evergreen is here to help you dig into what excites you most. You’ll learn to use math as a way of seeing the world and find deep patterns that reveal connections between different systems.

No matter where you’re starting, you can find your way to advanced mathematics on this Path.

Physical sciences

Physical sciences include physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. In these programs, you’ll explore the nature of the physical world and how it relates to human and non-human systems. You’ll learn with a supportive community and gain skills through hands-on opportunities that will prepare you for advanced scientific work.

Highlights of this Path

Hands-on experience with scientific instruments

The independence and support you get as an undergrad scientist at Evergreen is a one-of-a-kind experience. In programs on this Path, you’ll learn to prepare and run your own samples and get to know advanced scientific instruments well enough to put them on your resume.

Graduating with skills in using these instruments will give you an edge over the competition when applying for graduate schools, research opportunities, and jobs in the field.

Learn more about scientific instruments.

Multi-quarter and year-long programs

Having a supportive learning community makes all the difference in college. Multi-quarter programs on this Path become strong foundations for you to build something great out of your passions. You’ll create lasting connections with other students and learn from them every day during seminars, group projects, and other activities that turn your class into a real community.

Capstones, internships, and undergraduate research

You’ll have opportunities to get out of the classroom to pursue projects, internships, or independent research. Faculty are eager to work with you so you can get the most out of your time and gain core skills for your pursuits after college.

State-of-the-art labs

Get hands-on experience in labs where you’ll learn the collaborative and analytical skills professional scientists use every day. 

You’ll have access to labs for:

  • Introductory and advanced physics
  • General, physical, and inorganic chemistry
  • Environmental and water quality analysis
  • Physical computing (robotics, 3D printing, and more)
  • Electronics and metrology
  • Advanced instrumentation and computer interfacing

Science Support Center

The Science Support Center is the hub for all science operations at Evergreen. It’s home to a vast array of equipment and supplies. If you’re conducting independent research, this is where you’ll go to secure lab space, connect with technicians, check out equipment, and more.

Showcase your knowledge

You’ll have opportunities to share your passion for science and gain skills as an educator. You can get paid lab positions, become a tutor in the QuaSR, and get involved with outreach experiences such as the annual science carnival that attracts kids from K–12 schools around the region.

Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QuaSR) Center

Need guidance on your math or science related coursework or project? Peer tutors at the QuaSR inside the library are ready to support your learning—from algebra to zoology and more. Stop by to do homework, study with your classmates, or learn from experienced, friendly tutors in a supportive learning community.

This Path can prepare you for careers in

  • Alternative energy
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Climate science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data science
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Finance and actuarial science
  • Scientific research
  • Software development
  • Software engineering

Graduate school opportunities beyond this Path

  • Business analytics
  • Chemistry
  • Computer science
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environmental science
  • Geosciences
  • Mathematics
  • Materials science
  • Physics, astronomy, and astrophysics
Faculty on this Path
Title Expertise
Biswas, Abir Geology, earth science, biogeochemistry
Bopegedera, Dharshi Physical chemistry
Caraher, John Physics
Chandra, Arun Music composition, performance
Chowdary, Krishna Physics
Foster-Grahler, Vauhn Mathematics, education, anthropological mathematics
Gul, Gordon
Hastings, Rachel Linguistics, mathematics
McAvity, David mathematics, physics
McKinstry, Lydia Organic chemistry
Speights, Arlen Computer studies
Sunderman, Rebecca Physical and inorganic chemistry
Weiss, Richard Mathematics, computer science
Catalog Offerings for 2022-23
Title Paths Class Standing Credits
Advanced Computing and Machine Learning
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8, 12
Algebraic Thinking
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Applications Security
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Computer Science Foundations
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
12
Environmental Analysis
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
0, 16
Integrated Natural Science
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Matter and Motion: The Physical Science Behind Climate Change
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Network Security
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Physical Computing in the Arts
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Physical Computing in the Arts
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Precalculus I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Precalculus II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Security Policies and Procedures
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Statistics I and II: Accelerated
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
User Experience Design
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Catalog Offerings for 2023-24
Title Paths Class Standing Credits
Algebraic Thinking
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Applications Security
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Atoms, Molecules, and Reactions
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 16
Biology Counts, Past and Present
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
12
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Computer Science and ... Music!
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Computer Science Foundations
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
12
Integrated Natural Science
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Mathematical Methods
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Mathematical Systems
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Models of Motion
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
12
Network Security
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Physical Computing in the Arts
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Precalculus I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Precalculus II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Recipes: The Chemistry and Math of Food
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Recipes: The Chemistry and Math of Food
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
14
Recipes: The Chemistry and Math of Food
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
14
Security Policies and Procedures
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Student-Originated Software
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
12
User Experience Design
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design I
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Web Design II
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4

Programs planned 2021-25

Preparatory

  • Analyzing Permaculture Systems
  • Mathematics in Geology
  • Chemistry Counts

Foundational

  • Computer Science Foundations (annual)
  • Matter and Motion (2020-21); Modeling Motion (2021-22) (alternate years)

Advanced

  • Physical Systems and Applied Mathematics (2020-21 and every 2 years)
  • Mathematical Systems (2021-22 and every 2 years)
  • Atoms, Molecules and Reactions (2021-22 and every 2 years)
  • Environmental Analysis (2020-21 and every 2 years)

Fields of Study related to this Path