Harvey Mudd Faculty Approves New Core

On May 8, 2020 the faculty voted to overwhelmingly approve a new Core curriculum, Four Courses with Optional Electivity.

This curriculum allows students to take four courses (plus a lab) throughout the Core without the need to overload during the Core, nor in subsequent semesters. It also allows students to take five courses beginning in the second semester, although this is not required to satisfy graduation or major requirements. Details of the new curriculum can be found here: hmc.edu/core-implementation.

One feature to highlight in this curriculum is the presence of an “impact” course, which all students will take in their fourth semester.  We describe it as an “impact” course with a nod to the language in our Mission Statement: “…with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”  While the particular nature of this course is still being developed, it is likely that it will focus, at least in the near term, on aspects of climate change.

We look forward to begin the rollout out this new curriculum in the fall of 2021 or 2022; the timing will be determined in part by the ongoing pandemic.

Tom Donnelly
Chair of the Faculty
Professor of Physics