Majors at Harvey Mudd | Academics (2024)

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 communication and excellent computational skills.

Majors

Biology

The biology program prepares graduates for further study and employment in biology and related fields. Biology graduates work in molecular genetics, neurobiology, mathematical ecology, medicine, epidemiology, plant physiology, bioinformatics, pharmacology, biotechnology, systems biology, veterinary medicine, forensic science, evolutionary biology, science teaching, science writing and other areas.

The Harvey Mudd biology major, in conjunction with the common technical Core, provides the topical breadth that is the foundation of modern biology and the intellectual depth that enables students to understand how discoveries in the life sciences are made and communicated. A set of required biology courses provides a broad foundation in biology. Building on this foundation, each student, in consultation with a biology faculty advisor, selects a group of advanced biology and related technical courses that introduce a life sciences sub-discipline in depth. In addition to Harvey Mudd courses, students may draw upon the extensive course offerings at Pomona College, the Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps colleges, the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences and the California Botanic Garden.

Major Requirements

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  • Department of Biology
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  • Biology Courses

Chemistry

The curriculum of our chemistry program, approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), provides both a broad background in the five traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical) and an in-depth study of chemistry that builds upon these foundational areas. Because chemistry is an experimental science, substantial laboratory work and research experiences are part of the curriculum. The chemistry program is a comprehensive, rigorous curriculum to prepare students for professions in both traditional chemistry areas as well as cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields.

Major Requirements

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A new type of plastic resin could replace traditional plastics, and Brett Helms ’00 heads the lab that is leading the change.

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  • Department of Chemistry
  • Chemistry Courses
  • Introduction to Chemistry
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Computer Science

The computer science major starts with a set of foundational courses, which provides a broad exposure to many areas of computer science and further develops fundamental competence in programming, logic, algorithm analysis and computer structure. MATH055 HM is taken to develop skills in discrete mathematics that are needed for advanced computer science areas. CSCI070 HM improves the students’ depth of programming competence and exposes computer science students to a diverse array of data structures and analysis techniques. CSCI081 HM introduces the mathematical foundations of computer science, particularly logic, automata, and computability theory, and demonstrates their applications to problems of practical significance.

The kernel courses build on the foundation. CSCI105 HM develops a deep understanding of computer structure and its relationship to correct and efficient program implementation. CSCI123 HM focuses on the technical, organizational, and communication skills needed to support longer-term computing projects with a team.CSCI131 HM investigates the concepts underlying a wide variety of modern programming languages. CSCI140 HM develops fundamental skills needed to design and analyze algorithms for a variety of applications.

Topics such as concurrent and parallel computing, software testing, programming style, maintainability, software tools, etc. are horizontally integrated across the CS curriculum. Finally, the broad array of computer science electives (more than 20 elective and seminar courses) allows students to achieve more specialization in areas of personal interest.

Major Requirements

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  • Department of Computer Science
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Engineering

The philosophy of the engineering program at Harvey Mudd College is based on the recognition that there is a professional component that is best addressed through practice gained by working on real problems. The engineering program is a general engineering degree, which enables graduates to communicate across disciplines through the use and understanding of mathematics and systems-based analysis, and design effective and innovative solutions to discipline-specific problems. Our goal is to graduate students capable of solving real problems that span multiple engineering disciplines. This goal is realized through our three main curricular areas of focus (design, systems, and engineering science), as well as through our emphasis on professional practice. We teach a rigorous theoretical and broad background in these three areas of focus. Layered on this broad-based education is a professional practice component, which is realized through hands-on experiences in the classroom throughout the program, research opportunities, and our junior/senior capstone industry-sponsored Clinic projects.

Major Requirements

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  • Department of Engineering
  • Engineering Courses
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Mathematics

A mathematics degree from Harvey Mudd College will prepare students for a variety of careers in business, industry or academics. Mathematical methods are increasingly employed in fields as diverse as finance, biomedical research, management science, the computer industry, and most technical and scientific disciplines. To support the academic and professional goals of our majors, we offer a wide selection of courses in both theoretical and applied mathematics. This selection is enhanced by courses offered in cooperation with the other Claremont Colleges, including graduate courses at the Claremont Graduate University.

Students will have opportunities to do mathematical research with faculty through independent study, a summer research experience, or their senior capstone experience. Active areas of mathematical research at Harvey Mudd and The Claremont Colleges include algebra, algebraic geometry, algorithms and computational complexity, combinatorics, differential geometry, dynamical systems, fluid mechanics, graph theory, number theory, numerical analysis, mathematical biology, mathematics education, operations research, partial differential equations, real and complex analysis, statistical methods and analysis, and topology.

Major Requirements

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Joshua Greene ’02 to Receive 2023 Levi L. Conant Prize

In 2002, Greene was the first student from an undergraduate-only institution to receive the Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize for Outstanding Research in Mathematics by an Undergraduate Student.

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  • Department of Mathematics
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  • Mathematics Courses

Physics

The physics program at Harvey Mudd College provides depth and breadth in both classical and modern physics through lecture-discussion courses, laboratories and joint student-faculty research. The program is designed to serve as a strong foundation for graduate work or employment in physics and other technical fields.

A set of core courses is required of all physics majors; in addition, a variety of elective courses enable students to select a program to suit their interests and their educational and employment objectives. Laboratory courses in both introductory and advanced physics include experience with electronics, classical and modern optics, solid-state physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Special courses and reading courses provide the opportunity for study in advanced areas normally offered only in graduate programs.

Each student is encouraged to do individual experimental or theoretical research in an area of her or his special interest, in conjunction with a faculty member. Current student-faculty research areas include observational astronomy, astrophysics, atomic physics, biophysics, computational physics, field theory, general relativity and cosmology, geophysics, laser and high-energy-density physics, magnetism, particle physics, quantum optics, quantum theory, soft-matter physics, and solid-state physics. In some of the optional programs, physics majors may elect to do research in biology or chemistry or participate in computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics Clinic projects.

Major Requirements

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Yes, gravity waves do exist. Just ask one elated and incredulous expert, MIT physicist Matthew Evans ’96.

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  • Department of Physics
  • Physics Colloquium
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Joint Majors

Chemistry and Biology

Important opportunities are emerging at the interface of chemistry and biology. The joint major in chemistry and biology provides an organized framework in which students will be able to appreciate the biological context of their research questions and master the chemistry fundamentals that underlie the properties and reactions of biomolecules.

The chemistry and biology joint major comprises several areas of study, including biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, bioorganic chemistry, as well as other specialized areas at this interface. The joint major enablesstudents to effortlessly move back and forth between chemistry and biology, andmake connections and have insights that are difficult to obtain without a thorough training in both fields.

Major Requirements

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Sculpting Evolution

Kevin Esvelt ’04 promotes the responsible development of genetic and ecological engineering technologies.

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  • Department of Chemistry
  • Chemistry Courses
  • Department of Biology
  • Biology Courses

Chemistry and Climate

The Hixon Center will be primarily responsible for the advising of the joint majors and will be developing new courses, including a four-course series: Climate Dynamics, Climate Impacts, Climate Interventions and Climate Contexts. The Climate Contexts requirement is fulfilled through HSA coursework, including newly funded courses in religion and climate, anthropology and climate, and human geography and climate.

New faculty members in theHixon Center are already creating and offering new courses, including Climate Dynamics and Games for Climate Literacy, and plans are in the works for additional courses, including The Chemistry of Oceans and Atmosphere, and Plants and Climate.

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  • Department of Chemistry
  • Chemistry Courses
  • Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment

Computer Science and Mathematics

The joint major in computer science and mathematics is cooperatively administered by the computer science and mathematics departments, and students will have faculty advisors from both departments. The purpose of the joint major is to provide a program of study tailored to students who are interested in the interdisciplinary connections between computer science and mathematics. Depending on how electives are selected, the program positions successful majors for graduate studies in either computer science or mathematics, or for immediate employment.

The joint computer science and mathematics degree program has various components: the kernel courses in computer science and mathematics; more advanced courses in computer science and in mathematics; Clinic; and electives.

Major Requirements

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  • Department of Computer Science
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Computer Science and Physics

The computer science and physics departments cooperatively administer the joint major in computer science and physics, and students will have faculty advisors from both departments. The joint CS-physics major will serve students whose interests lie at the intersection of physics and computer science. Students will learn about advances in quantum computing and information science and how computational tools such as high-performance computing or machine learning enable discoveries in complex physical systems.

The joint computer science and physics degree program has various components: the kernel courses in computer science and physics; more advanced courses in computer science and physics; a Clinic or physics thesis; and electives.

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  • Department of Mathematics
  • Department of Physics
  • CS Courses

Mathematical and Computational Biology

Mathematical and computational methods are vital to many areas of contemporary biological research, such as genomics, molecular modeling, structural biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, neurobiology and systems biology. Conversely, biology is providing new challenges that can drive the development of novel mathematical and computational methods.

Harvey Mudd students interested in the interface between biology, mathematics and computer science may pursue the mathematical and computational biology major, which is jointly administered by the biology, mathematics and computer science departments.

This major prepares students for graduate studies in areas including applied mathematics, bioinformatics, computational biology, genome science, mathematical biology and diverse areas of biology, as well as employment in industry.

Harvey Mudd’s Core curriculum provides mathematical and computational biology majors with a strong multidisciplinary foundation, and the College offers many opportunities for students to engage in interdisciplinary research in biomathematics, computational biology, and quantitative biology.

Students who choose this major become immersed in the scientific and intellectual cultures of biology, computer science,and mathematics, and the major is sufficiently flexible to allow students to concentrate in a particular area of interest. Students in this major have one advisor from the biology department and one advisor from either the mathematics or computer science departments. The advisors will jointly help the student plan a coherent program tailored to the student’s interests and goals.

Major Requirements

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  • Department of Computer Science
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  • Biology Courses
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  • Mathematics Courses

Mathematics and Physics

The fields of physics and mathematics have been closely intertwined, with significant influences on each other, for hundreds of years. Numerous courses and research programs at Harvey Mudd draw heavily on both disciplines. The joint major in mathematics and physics highlights the intersections between physics and mathematics while preparing a student with solid foundations in both fields. Graduates of this program should be well positioned for further study in physics or mathematics, or for immediate employment.

The major is cooperatively administered by the mathematics and physics departments, and students have faculty advisors in both departments. Students complete courses from the mathematics and physics major sequences, as well as a required course in computational techniques relevant to the field. Each student must complete a capstone (thesis or Clinic), which may be chosen from either department’s offerings.

Major Requirements

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Goldwater Scholars

Tonatiuh Gonzalez ’22 named 2021 Goldwater Scholar.

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  • Department of Mathematics
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Majors at Harvey Mudd | Academics (2024)

FAQs

What major is Harvey Mudd known for? ›

The most popular majors at Harvey Mudd College include: Engineering; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; Physical Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics; Philosophy ...

Why is Harvey Mudd so hard to get into? ›

With a GPA of 4.17, Harvey Mudd requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

How prestigious is Harvey Mudd? ›

Harvey Mudd College Rankings

Harvey Mudd College is ranked #16 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

What GPA do you need to get into Harvey Mudd College? ›

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.) With a GPA of 4.17, Harvey Mudd requires you to be at the top of your class.

Is Harvey Mudd an elite school? ›

As for those reasons why, first and foremost: the academics. Harvey Mudd is an elite liberal arts college that also happens to have an equally impressive STEM curriculum—hence that Silicon Valley cred.

Why is Harvey Mudd so expensive? ›

The Harvey Mudd College reigns to be the most expensive college in the world. It's a private liberal arts college outside Los Angeles, known for their second highest production rate of STEM PhDs. Also, its undergraduate engineering program is consistently ranked as the best in the United States.

Is Harvey Mudd a dry campus? ›

Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Harvey Mudd College.

How stressful is Harvey Mudd? ›

Students quoted in the report spoke about sacrificing sleep, hobbies, hygiene and religious practices in order to manage their classes. “The Mudd curriculum was brutal when I was there. You're really thrown into the deep end very quickly,” Felipe Borja HM '19 said. “First year I was probably sleeping every other day.

Is Harvey Mudd an Ivy League? ›

Is Harvey Mudd an Ivy League School? No, Harvey Mudd is part of the Claremont Colleges, which includes five undergraduate liberal arts colleges: Pomona College.

Is Harvey Mudd as good as Caltech? ›

Both Harvey Mudd College and Caltech are highly regarded for their STEM programs, so you really can't go wrong with either choice. However, they do have different environments and focus areas which might impact your decision. Rigor: Both schools are known for their rigorous curricula and demanding workload in STEM.

How rigorous is Harvey Mudd? ›

You will hear from everyone how challenging the curriculum at Harvey Mudd is. It is probably more challenging than you currently imagine it. But the material you learn, and the intelligent and enthusiastic people you work with every day, makes all the tough studying worthwhile.

What makes Harvey Mudd special? ›

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.

Is Harvey Mudd a small college? ›

Harvey Mudd College is a private institution that was founded in 1955. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 906 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 33 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

How much is Harvey Mudd tuition? ›

How selective is Harvey Mudd? ›

Harvey Mudd College is a small private college located on a suburban campus in Claremont, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 905, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%.

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