The Harvey Mudd curriculum integrates vigorous STEM and liberal arts courses to educate talented scientists, engineers, and mathematicians— inspiring them to become passionate problem solvers who understand the impact of their work on society.
The curriculum has three components
A Broad Foundation in STEM Disciplines
Our educational experience starts with the Common Core, a set of coordinated courses from every department—biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, math, physics and humanities, social sciences and the arts. The Core gives you a broad scientific background coupled with academic writing and critical inquiry. No matter what your future major, you will gain a solid interdisciplinary foundation.
Know Your Impact
Harvey Mudd is a liberal arts college where students have the opportunity to major in a STEM field while taking nearly a third of their classes in humanities, social sciences and the arts (HSA). The HSA requirement encourages students to pursue their interests in philosophy, psychology, political science, sociology, literature, music, photography, media studies and many other fields. With dynamic professors at Harvey Mudd and the other Claremont Colleges, you will be able to take courses in a wide range of topics of interest to you. Why do we center HSA in our curriculum? Because we believe humanities, social sciences and the arts are central to our mission to educate leaders who understand the impact of their work on society.
Explore Your Field Through Research and Experiential Learning
The major builds depth and technical competence in a chosen field. Majors at Harvey Mudd emphasize a broad-based, interdisciplinary approach to equip our students with problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to any challenge. Coursework comes alive with project-based experiential learning and graduate-level research opportunities. You’ll finish your major by completing real-world research (thesis) or a clinic project. Throughout the entire curriculum runs an emphasis on developing strong oral and written communications and excellent computational skills.
Every student completes a yearlong senior project in either original research or the Clinic Program, depending on the major. Students can engage in research and Clinic before their senior year as well, and many do.
Solving Real-world Problems
Clinic engages juniors and seniors in solving real-world, technical problems for companies and organizations. Teams of four to five students complete computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics or multidisciplinary projects, applying their education to produce valuable solutions for sponsors.
Not Your Average Undergrad
Students work alongside faculty as colleagues, investigating open-ended questions, presenting findings at national conferences and co-publishing papers. Opportunities abound, and students can begin doing research early in their studies or engage in summer research.