Institutional and Educational Goals

The founders of Harvey Mudd envisioned the College as a “liberal arts college of engineering and science.” Harvey Mudd’s educational goals are based on the tradition of liberal learning which encourages the growth of broadly educated citizens, and promotes reflection, self-understanding, and a sense of self-worth in all students.

Institutional Goals for Harvey Mudd College

As stated in Harvey Mudd 2020: Envisioning the Future, Harvey Mudd College has identified six strategic goals for the institution:

  1. Innovation, leadership and impact, especially in engineering, science and mathematics
  2. Focus on experiential and interdisciplinary learning
  3. Unsurpassed excellence and diversity at all levels
  4. Nurturing and developing the whole person
  5. Global engagement and informed contributions to society
  6. Improvement of infrastructure and resources to support Harvey Mudd’s commitment to excellence and building community

Educational Goals for Harvey Mudd College

The Strategic Vision Curriculum Committee identified educational priorities for the College which, in conjunction with the ratification of the new Core curriculum, were approved by the Harvey Mudd faculty in October 2008:

  1. Exercise technical expertise developed through rigorous foundational work and an emphasis on problem solving in learning communities
  2. Appreciate and employ different kinds of knowledge and expressive sophistication as the basis for critical analysis and synthesis and self-examination
  3. Serve society by addressing the complex problems of the world, creatively, passionately and humanely
  4. Flourish in a multi-cultural community and global environment
  5. Lead examined and meaningful lives

Core Learning Outcomes

The Harvey Mudd College Core Curriculum is designed to:

Nurture intellectual curiosity and joy of learning

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore the beauty, power, and promise found in our core disciplines.
  2. Develop habits and skills that help manage academic challenges with resilience and confidence.
  3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team.
  4. Communicate clearly and appropriately to a variety of audiences through multiple formats (e. g. , oral, written, visual).
  5. Engage in informed creation and analysis in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts.

Provide foundational knowledge and skills needed for further study in STEM disciplines

Students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of foundational scientific skills.
  2. Use modes of thinking, analytical and/or experimental skills, and methods within a particular discipline.
  3. Apply knowledge, modes of thinking, analytical and/or experimental skills, and methods across disciplines to solve problems.

Engage students in thinking critically about consequential problems and complex issues

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore the historical and contemporary relationships between science and society.
  2. Appreciate how personal and professional actions impact the world.
  3. Analyze or construct arguments, considering underlying assumptions and potential counterarguments where appropriate.
  4. Reflect on the moral, ethical, and social implications of their work.