Science is a central part of a liberal arts education. At Williams, we are devoted equally to teaching science and conducting research with undergraduates.
Williams is a leader in the training of future scientists. More than 50 students go on to Ph.D. programs in math and science each year, and Williams ranks near the very top among undergraduate institutions in students receiving NSF pre-doctoral fellowships, as well as in faculty receiving external grant funding. Science faculty come to Williams precisely for the opportunity to teach highly motivated, ambitious students who, in turn, contribute significantly to their research programs.
In all fields-independently and alongside faculty, on-campus and abroad, during the academic year and over the summer-students here conduct the research and have the opportunities that at other places are reserved for graduate students.
More than a third of Williams students major in scientific disciplines, and each year 70-80 of our seniors pursue a year-long senior thesis, working directly with faculty members. This collaborative research regularly leads to co-authored journal articles and presentations at professional conferences. Each year we publish the Report of Science, a compendium of the sciences at Williams.
If you have questions about science at Williams, please visit the departmental websites (links below) or be in touch with us:
- Prof. Amy Gehring, Director of the Science Center and Professor of Chemistry
- Dawn Schoorlemmer, Science Center Administrative Assistant