Harvey Mudd College seeks to educate engineers, scientists and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities and social sciences so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.

Academic Program

The founders of Harvey Mudd College envisioned a distinctive educational experience for the college’s students. The curriculum was designed to create scientists and engineers with unusual breadth in their technical education and a firm academic grounding in the humanities and social sciences.

The required curriculum is divided into four components: the Common Core, which provides the foundation for advanced study; the program in Humanities and Social Sciences, which completes the liberal arts nature of a Harvey Mudd College education by providing humanistic and social scientific perspectives; the Major, which builds depth and technical competence; and the Integrative Experience, which explicitly addresses the interface between society and science and technology. Unifying all of these is an emphasis on strong oral and written communications, the development of computational skills, and direct experience with a research or design project. The academic programs are demanding, but the College fosters cooperation rather than competition under a successful Honor Code.

In order to be recommended by the faculty for the Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete satisfactorily a minimum of 128 credit hours of courses (including approved transfer credits for courses taken at other colleges). Students must also complete all of the requirements of each of the four curricular components as well as three one semester courses in physical education. Participation in a varsity team sport for an entire season may be substituted for a physical education course.

The Common Core

The Common Core presents a coordinated, common foundation essential to the education of all students. It includes four semesters of mathematics, three semesters of physics and associated laboratories, two semesters of chemistry and associated laboratories, two semesters of humanities and social sciences, and one course each in biology, computer science, and engineering.

Core courses address three objectives: (1) acquisition of disciplinary knowledge and experience with disciplinary-related techniques, (2) skill development in the areas of oral and written communication, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration, project management, and/or leadership, and (3) explorations of either the interrelationship of technical work and society or the understanding of one's own culture or other contemporary cultures.

Core courses are listed below. Course descriptions are given in the course listings for the departments.

BIOLOGY

52. Introduction to Biology. 3 credit hours.
Topics in the biology of molecules, cells, organisms, and populations. Prerequisites: one semester of general chemistry and one semester of calculus.

CHEMISTRY

21-22. General Chemistry. 3 credit hours per semester.
Stoichiometry, kinetic theory, phase behavior, equilibrium, bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics, and descriptive chemistry.

25-26. Chemistry Laboratory. 1 credit hour per semester.
Laboratory taken concurrently with Chemistry 21-22.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

5.Introduction to Computer Programming. 3 credit hours.
Introduction to programming. Problem solving, algorithms, simple and structured data types, data representation, flow-control structures, subroutines, and program design. Introduction to objects. Specification, testing, debugging, and documentation. Use of a programming environment, operating system, and network.

ENGINEERING

59. Introduction to Engineering Systems. 3 credit hours.
An introduction to the concepts of modern engineering, emphasizing modeling, analysis, synthesis, and design. Applications to chemical, mechanical, and electrical systems. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and concurrent registration in Physics 51.

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

1. Introduction to the Humanities and Social Sciences. 4 credit hours. An introduction to college level studies in the humanities and social sciences focusing on the development of essential reading, critical thinking, research, and writing skills. Reading assignments combine fiction and nonfiction works addressing interdisciplinary themes.

2. Introduction to the Humanities and Social Sciences. 3 credit hours. Topical and interdisciplinary courses in the humanities and social sciences that build on the methods and skills taught during the first semester.

MATHEMATICS

11. Calculus of One Real or Complex Variable. 2 credit hours.
Complex numbers, limits, formal epsilon-delta limit definition, derivatives and differentiation rules; proofs by contradiction and induction; infinite series; integration; applications of the calculus; introduction to calculus of complex-valued functions. Prerequisite: One year of calculus at the high school level.

12. Introduction to Linear Algebra I/Dynamical Systems. 2 credit hours.
Matrix representation of systems of equations, matrix operations, determinants; linear independence and dependence, bases; inner products, eigenvalues and eigenvectors; examples of discrete dynamical systems, fixed points, chaos, stability, bifurcations. Prerequisite: Math 11 or the equivalent.

13. Differential Equations I. 1.5 credit hours.
Modeling physical systems, first-order ordinary differential equations, existence; uniqueness and long-term behavior of solutions; bifurcations, approximate solutions; second-order ordinary differential equations and their properties, applications; first-order systems of ordinary differential equations. Prerequisite: Math 11 or the equivalent.

14. Multivariable Calculus I. 1.5 credit hours.
Vectors, dot and cross products; vector descriptions of lines and planes; partial derivatives and differentiability; gradients and directional derivatives; chain rule; higher order derivatives and Taylor approximations; double and triple integrals in rectangular and other coordinate systems; line integrals; vector fields, curl, and divergence; introduction to Green’s theorem, divergence theorem and Stoke’s theorem. Prerequisite: Math 11.

61. Multivariable Calculus II 1.5 credit hours.
Review of basic multivariable calculus; optimization and the Second Derivative Test; constrained optimization using Lagrange multipliers; conservative and nonconservative vector fields; Green’s theorem; parametrized surfaces and surface integrals; divergence theorem, outline of proof and applications; Stoke’s theorem, outline of proof and applications; unification of major vector theorems. Prerequisite: Math 14.

62. Introduction to Probability and Statistics. 1.5 credit hours.
Sample spaces, events, axioms for probabilities; conditional probabilities and Bayes’ theorem; random variables and their distributions, discrete and continuous; expected values, means and variances; covariance and correlation; law of large numbers and central limit theorem; point and interval estimation; hypothesis testing; chi-square goodness of fit; simple linear regression; introduction to analysis of variance; applications to analyzing real data sets. Prerequisite: Math 11.

63. Linear Algebra II. 1.5 credit hours.
Review of basic linear algebra; vector spaces; row and column spaces of matrices, rank-nullity theorem; orthogonal bases and Gram-Schmidt procedure; orthogonal expansion and Fourier coefficients; linear transformations; change of basis and similarity; eigenvalues, eigenvectors and characteristic polynomials; diagonalization of symmetric matrices; applications of eigenvalues to systems of ordinary differential equations. Prerequisite: Math 12.

64. Differential Equations II. 1.5 credit hours.
Review of basic ordinary differential equations, especially systems; undriven linear systems; orbital portraits; stability and conservative systems; Lyapunov functions; cycles and long-term behavior of solutions; Sturm-Liouville problems; series solutions near ordinary and regular singular points; Bessel functions; chaos. Prerequisite: Math 13 and Math 63.

PHYSICS

23-24. Mechanics and Wave Motion. 2 credit hours (Phys. 23). 3 credit hours (Phys. 24).
An introduction to special relativity, kinematics, dynamics, linear and angular momentum, work and energy, harmonic and central force motion, waves and sound, and quantum mechanics.

28. Physics Laboratory. 1 credit hour.
Experiments in mechanics using digital electronic measuring devices. Corequisite with Physics 24.

51. Electromagnetic Theory and Optics. 3 credit hours.
An introduction to electricity and magnetism leading to Maxwell’s electromagnetic equations in differential and integral form. Selected topics in physical optics. Prerequisites: Physics 23-24 and Mathematics 14.

53. Electricity and Optics Laboratory. 1 credit hour.
Electrical and magnetic techniques in such measurements as the Hall effect and the earth’s magnetic field. Introduction to electronics, including use of the oscilloscope and measurements on RC and RCL circuits. Experiments in physical optics, including studies of diffraction patterns. Prerequisite: Physics 51 or concurrently.

Getting through the Common Core

For many students the academic program in the first two years consists of the Common Core, two additional humanities or social sciences courses, two courses in the major, and two electives. Usually it is possible for students to delay their choice of a major until midway through the sophomore year or even to the beginning of the junior year. Students should consult their academic advisors early in their program in order to ensure that their options will remain open. Sample programs for the first two years appear below.

Sample First-Year Program

		First	Second
		Semester	Semester
		Credit Hours	Credit Hours
Chemistry 21-22, 25-26	General Chemistry with Lab	4	4
Computer Science 5	Introduction to Computer Programming	3
Humanities/Social Sciences 1-2	Introduction to H/SS	4	3
Mathematics 11-12 & 13-14	Calculus of One Variable Linear Algebra I Differential Equations I Multivariable Calculus I	4	3
Physics 23-24, 28	Mechanics and Wave Motion with Lab	2	4
Biology 52/Elective	Introduction to Biology	0	3
Physical Education	Approved PE course	0	0
Total		17 hours	17 hours

The instructors in the first-year program meet regularly with the associate dean to insure that course material, major assignments, and examinations are coordinated throughout the year.

Sample Sophomore Year Program

		Credit Hours
Engineering 59	Introduction to Engineering Systems	3
Mathematics 61, 62, 63, 64	Multivariable Calculus II Introduction to Probability & Statistics Linear Algebra II Differential Equations II	6
Physics 51, 53	Electromagnetic Theory & Optics with Lab	4
Biology 52/Elective(s)	Introduction to Biology or an elective	6
Humanities/Social Sciences		6
Major Courses		6-9
Physical Education		0
Total		31–34

Humanities and Social Sciences

The program in Humanities and Social Sciences is one of the distinctive and defining aspects of Harvey Mudd College. From its inception, the college has regarded a strong grounding in these areas as an essential part of the education of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, who need to be mindful of the richness and complexities of the human experience as well as the social contexts and consequences of their own endeavors. In addition to the two Common Core courses, students must complete ten full semester courses in a coherent program planned with the approval of their humanities and social sciences advisor. This program must include courses in different disciplines that satisfy the distribution requirement, a concentration of courses in a single discipline or with a common focus, and a seminar or an approved senior experience. To foster the growth of an intellectual community, students must take five upper-division courses from departmental faculty members. Students may select their remaining courses from a large number available at Harvey Mudd and the other Claremont Colleges. For more specific information regarding these requirements, see the listing under “Departmental Programs” in this catalogue, as well as the “Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Handbook,” which is available at http://www2.hmc.edu/www_common/humsoc/handbook.pdf.

Integrative Experience

The founders of the College held that "technology divorced from humanity is worse than no technology at all." To explore the meaning of the founders' vision, students choose a one semester integrative experience course that explores the interaction between science, technology, and society.

An Integrative Experience (IE) maybe (1) a faculty-initiated course/experience or (2) a student initiated experience. Included in category (1) are (a) courses that include consideration of one or more issues involving the relationship of science or technology with contemporary society; (b) courses offered in parallel with Clinic or research involving groups of students in critical reflection on the ethical and social issues involved in their projects and/or prior projects; and (c) project-based courses that specifically address a societal need, in the performance of which students substantively consider the wider set of societal issues that create the context and need for their actions. In category (2), a student-initiated experience is an independent project/experience designed by a student or a group of students that includes treatment of specific interactions between science/technology and contemporary society. Students proposing an experience must complete the form available at http://www.dof.hmc.edu/curcom/Student_IE_form.html prior to close of business on the first day of the semester. In all IE course/experiences, there should be a final paper or project with demonstrable evidence of significant self-reflection and critical analysis, and an oral presentation of the work in a forum that allows open discussion of the work in a community setting. The Curriculum Committee will be responsible for determining whether a course or experience meets the IE guidelines. With the exception of student initiated IEs, a Courses/experiences to be taken for IE credit must be approved by the Curriculum Committee prior to the pre-registration period for the semester in which the course is to be offered or the project/experience is to be undertaken. A list of currently approved Integrative Experiences courses and guidelines for creating individual Integrative Experiences is maintained by the Office of the Dean of Faculty at http://www.dof.hmc.edu/hww/newcourseprops/approved_IEs.html.

Majors

A student must complete the requirements for one of the departmental majors, one of the interdisciplinary majors, an approved individual program of studies (IPS), or an off-campus major (OCM), and technical minor with approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The departmental majors are: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics.There are currently three interdisciplinary majors: chemistry and biology, mathematical biology, and computer science and mathematics. Requirements for each major are listed in that major's section of this Catalogue.

Every student should seek early guidance from faculty advisors in order to clarify the preparation required for specific majors. Typically, students either select a major or file a tentative IPS plan by the end of the fourth semester.

In the junior and senior years, students take two or three courses each semester in their major and related fields. Some of these are requirements while others are electives. All majors culminate in original research and design opportunities.