FunWiki: NewCore

HISTORICAL NOTE: People are always talking about the "new core," when Mudd has something of a looping process when it comes to core. In fact, the very first core revision happened around 1962-- five years after Mudd first opened. Five years. Back in 1959, students were having a hard enough time that they needed to revise the core. So next time someone tells you "you whippersnappers these days wouldn't be able to pass what I went through," keep it in perspective. Not that all changes are necessarily good or bad, they happen and it's not fair to judge someone on an anachronism.

Since 2016 or so (*cough* WabashReport? *cough*), the HMC core has been in something of a state of flux, making it difficult to document precisely what has changed (there have been many conversations in which UpperClassmen? realize the UnderClassmen? have completely different experiences). However, current documentation is as follows:

Core now lasts four semesters rather than three (this was also historically how core worked, but when that changed is not documented)
Most eggregiously, FroshChem is actually good now (citation needed). Formally, Chem23A? and Chem23B? were replaced with the single-semester course Chem42?, which is either in fall or spring, in tandem with Chem24? (ChemLab?). This was effective fall 2022.
- I have heard mixed opinions about FroshChem. Some revision to the course is likely needed. Especially, make the first lab not about measuring water. -JamesNicholson
Math19? is now four credits (began fall 2021), rather than three
Writ1 is now two credits (began fall 2021), rather than 1.5
Bio52 has been replaced with Bio46? (effective fall 2022). It is in tandem with Bio23? (BioLab?), and is either in fall or spring.
The climate change impact course is now required.

ProbStats? was removed without being replaced (much to everybody's rejoicing, except for those who hadn't taken it). Math82? (DiffEqs?, starting spring 2022) is no longer part of the core, nor is Physics51? (E&M, starting fall 2021).

Due to the "strange nature" of the fall 2020 semester, most of the Class of 2024 took only one bio or chem lab, and took it in front of their computers, staring sadly at the screen.

NewCore currently refers to the core curriculum introduced for the Class of 2014. Changes include:

Math courses have all been renumbered
- 1st semester: Math 15, Math 25 (Math 9, Math 11/12) - "Application and Art of Calculus", Calc/LinAl?
- 2nd semester: Math 35, Math 45 (Math 61/62, Math 13) - Prob Stats, Intro to DEs
- 3rd semester: Math 60, Math 65 (Math 14, Math 63/64) - Multivar, DEs/ LinAl? II
FroshPhysics has been cut down to have only a half semester of SpecialRelativity?.
Hum1 has been cut down to take up the half semester previously occupied by FetalQuantum. It is now known as Writing 1. Hum 10 is then required in second semester.
HumDepartment requirements have been shifted to focus more on writing, eschewing the old three-category system.
FrOsh get one elective in their first semester.
Bio52 is now a required second-semester class.
FrOsh need only take one lab a semester for their first three semesters (one CheMistry, one PhySics, one "choice").

Results of new core have primarily been FrOsh having spare time and interesting electives, upperclassmen bitterly reminiscing about how much more challenging core used to be, and SophoMores? getting screwed over (which tends to happen anyways, so whatever).