Table of Contents
- Undergraduates and Their Advisors
- Outline of the Undergraduate Program
- Registration for Fall and Spring Terms
- Independent Activities Period (IAP)
- Summer Session
- Grades
- Regulations Pertaining to Classes
- Progressing Through MIT
- Special Programs and Situations
- Supplementary Programs
- Part-Time Study
- Academic Standards and End-of-Term Procedures
- Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, and Readmission Procedures
2. OUTLINE OF THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Degree Requirements
The undergraduate academic program at MIT is based on a core of General Institute Requirements (GIRs) and on the specific curricula offered by more than twenty separate departments. It is designed to allow sufficient flexibility and choice of electives for each student to develop a program to suit his or her interests and preparation. Generally students need four academic years of full-time study to complete a curriculum for the Bachelor of Science (SB) Degree.
To be recommended for a Bachelor's degree, a student must have attended the Institute for at least three regular academic terms (fall or spring) and earned at least 96 units beyond the General Institute Requirements at MIT. Ordinarily attendance must include the term of the student's graduation.
Nearly all of the subjects taken by freshmen during their first year at MIT are GIRs. Students usually choose a department in which to major at the end of the freshman year. They must choose a department by the end of the sophomore year.
A typical MIT subject carries 12 units. The number of units for each subject indicates the number of hours spent each week in class and laboratory, plus the estimated time the average student spends each week in outside preparation. A normal credit load per semester is four to four-and-one-half subjects (48-54 units).
In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Faculty, the program of study must include completion of the following:
Understanding the Requirements
For complete descriptions of degree requirements, including both the General Institute Requirements and specific departmental programs, see the MIT Bulletin. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding and fulfilling the requirements, but they can get help and information on the requirements not only from their advisors but from a number of other sources listed in this Guide.
An undergraduate Degree Audit is available to each student and advisor on WebSIS. Using that audit, as well as information on departmental programs, the student and the advisor should track the student's progress through requirements and carefully plan future terms. The audit details what the student has completed and what he or she still needs in order to complete the Institute's portion of his or her degree requirements - i.e., the specific GIRs not yet completed and the number of units beyond the GIRs that remain to be completed for the specific Course. The audit does not specify which departmental requirements have been satisfied and which remain to be completed.
In looking at that audit, the student and the advisor need to remember that some subjects that satisfy departmental program requirements also fulfill General Institute Requirements (such as 5.111 in Course 5); however, NO SUBJECT can be counted both as part of the 17 General Institute Requirement (GIR) subjects and toward the 180-198 units required beyond the GIRs. Every subject in the student's departmental program and unrestricted electives will count toward one or the other.
Students who have questions about their requirements and audits that cannot be answered by their departments should contact the Registrar's Office.
The General Institute Requirements
During the freshman year students usually take nearly half of the General Institute Requirements including almost all of the subjects in the science core (mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology), and two subjects in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. As sophomores they continue taking subjects to satisfy General Institute Requirements, and they begin their departmental programs. In the junior and senior years, students generally concentrate on their departmental programs. In each of their four years they are expected to take a Communication Intensive subject.
Science Requirement
The core Science Requirement of six subjects introduces students to the basic concepts and methods of mathematics and the physical and biological sciences. Students usually complete this requirement by the end of the first semester of the sophomore year. The requirement includes two subjects in Calculus (18.01, 18.01A, or 18.014; and 18.02, 18.02A, 18.022, 18.023, or 18.024), two subjects in Physics (8.01, 8.011, 8.012, or 8.01L; and 8.02 or 8.022), one subject in Chemistry (3.091, 5.111, or 5.112), and one subject in Biology (7.012, 7.013, 7.014, or 7.015). This requirement is described in detail in the MIT Bulletin.
Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) Requirement
Students must take two subjects designated as Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) subjects. These subjects are listed in the MIT Bulletin. Individual REST subjects carry a symbol for REST in the MIT Subject Listing and Schedule. Of the subjects used to fulfill the REST Requirement, a student can take no more than one in his or her department. Subjects designated with a J that are offered jointly by several departments can be considered as being outside the student's department. REST subjects are normally taken during the second year, but students who have the proper prerequisites may take them in their freshman year.
Laboratory Requirement
The Laboratory Requirement (12 units) must be satisfied by completing laboratory subjects designated for this purpose; these are listed in the MIT Bulletin. Individual subjects carry the symbol for Institute Lab in the MIT Subject Listing and Schedule. The Laboratory Requirement may be fulfilled within departmental programs, but students should not assume that laboratories fulfilling departmental laboratory requirements fulfill the Institute Laboratory Requirement. It is the intent of the faculty that the Institute Laboratory Requirement subjects emphasize work of a project type (rather than routine experimental exercises), which gives students the opportunity to exercise the same type of initiative and resourcefulness as a professional would.
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement
Each student must complete a minimum of eight HASS subjects. Many students take these required eight subjects at the rate of one per term, although this pace is not mandatory.
Three of the required eight HASS subjects must be HASS-Distribution (HASS-D) subjects. HASS-D subjects are divided into five categories. Students must take HASS-D subjects from three different categories. Note: In no case may more than one subject in the same HASS-D category count toward the HASS-D requirement. A student may substitute one Level 3 or 4 (intermediate-level) foreign language subject for one of the three required HASS-Ds. A student who selects this option may take the remaining two HASS-D subjects from any two of the five HASS-D categories.
Students should enter the HASS-D Lottery in order to enroll in a HASS-D subject. Continuing students can do this when they pre-register. They have the option of listing up to six choices, and are strongly encouraged to list more than one.
The eight-subject HASS requirement also includes a three- or four-subject concentration in one field in HASS. No more than one subject may be counted both as a concentration subject and as a distribution subject.
Published for each fall and spring semester, the MIT Student's Guide to the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS Guide) gives a detailed explanation of the HASS Requirement, and includes a list of the HASS-D subjects (including supplementary descriptions for those offered that term), HASS concentration and minor programs, and all HASS subjects. Printed copies of the HASS Guide are available at the Student Services Center (SSC), the HASS Education Office, and many other locations. Questions about the HASS Requirement may be directed to the HASS Education Office.
Communication Requirement
Under the Communication Requirement, students must take four Communication Intensive (CI) subjects to graduate: two in the humanities, arts, and social sciences (CI-H) and two as specified by the major program (CI-M). Students must maintain a minimum pace towards completing the Communication Requirement of one CI subject by the end of the first year, two by the end of the second year, three by the end of the third year, and four by graduation.
Many CI-Hs are also HASS-Ds (HASS Distribution subjects) and some are HASS electives. These count toward both the Communication Requirement and the HASS Requirement. While a student may receive CI credit for only one CI-H per semester, a student who takes more than one CI-H subject in a semester will receive HASS elective or HASS-D credit for all such subjects. Students may receive CI credit for more than one CI-M subject in the same term or a CI-H and a CI-M taken concurrently.
Freshmen
Students must pass one CI-H/CI-HW subject by the end of their second term at the Institute. Based on their Freshman Essay Evaluation (FEE) scores, students will be informed as to which kind of CI-H/CI-HW they must take in their first year:
- A score of "CI-H/CI-HW Subject Required" on the FEE means that students may take any CI-H or CI-HW, in either the first or second semester. Visit the Communication Requirement web site for a list CI-H/CI-HW Classes.
- A score of "CI-HW Subject Required" on the FEE means that students must take one of the writing classes designated CI-HW in either their first or second semester. The CI-HW classes are 21W.730, 21W.731, 21W.732, 21W.734/21L.000, and for students for whom English is not a primary language, 21F.222.
- A score of "21F.222 Required" means that students must take 21F.222 as their first-year CI subject.
Those students who receive scores of "CI-HW Subject Required" or "21F.222 Required" may take their required CI-HW class in either the fall or the spring. However, they will not receive CI credit for any other CI class until they have completed an appropriate CI-HW class.
Students who do not complete a CI-H in their first semester are limited in their second term to 45 units in addition to an appropriate CI-H subject and may not advance to sophomore standing in their second term at MIT.
Sophomores
Students must complete their second CI subject by the end of their sophomore year. In most cases, the second CI subject will be a CI-H. In some cases, however, students may take an appropriate CI-M (Communication Intensive in the Major) subject in their sophomore year.
Juniors and Seniors
In their junior and senior years, students generally complete their CI subjects within their major departments. These classes are called CI-Ms. Students must complete at least three CI subjects towards the requirement by the end of their junior year.
By the time each student graduates, he or she must have completed four CI subjects: two CI-Hs and two CI-Ms. Students who are pursuing two SB degrees are expected to complete the CI-M subjects for both majors. Visit the Communication Requirement web site for more information on the CI-M subjects for individual degree programs.
Students who entered as first-year students before Summer of 2001 and as transfer students before Summer of 2002 are subject to the Writing Requirement instead of the Communication Requirement. More detailed information is available from the Writing Across the Curriculum Office.
Physical Education Requirement
The Institute expects all students to gain instruction in Physical Education (PE) activities or sports during their first two years at MIT. By the end of this period each student should have passed a total of 8 PE points. Transfer students must pass 4 PE points. Also by this time, students are expected to have fulfilled the Swim Requirement by passing a beginning swimming class as part of the 8 PE point total or by passing the swim test. PE points may be gained by participation in Physical Education classes, Intercollegiate Athletic Sports, and certain ROTC activities. Physical Education classes DO NOT count toward academic load totals.
Physical Education classes are offered by quarters with two quarters during each semester, and a fifth quarter during the Independent Activities Period (January). Two PE points are awarded for each class. Students register for classes using a web-based lottery system during specific days 2-3 weeks prior to the beginning of each quarter. Check with Physical Education for exact dates of each lottery period.
Further details of the Physical Education requirement are given in the MIT Bulletin and on the Physical Education web site. Schedules for Physical Education classes and directions for entering the lottery are available on the web site, and in the IAP Guide for Independent Activities Period. Any questions concerning the requirement should be directed to the Physical Education Office at athletics@mit.edu.
Physical limitations or medical problems that may affect a student's ability to meet the requirement should be discussed with the Director of Physical Education. Students with such medical conditions/disabilities may also wish to consult the Disabilities Services Office.
Departmental Program and Unrestricted Electives
Subjects from the departmental program constitute approximately half of the work a student must complete for an SB degree. The subjects in the departmental program and the total number of units required beyond the General Institute Requirements are shown under individual departmental descriptions in the MIT Bulletin.
All departmental curricula at MIT are designed to leave time for students to explore special interests and to broaden their backgrounds through elective subjects. Students should consider participating with faculty in research projects, such as those available through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Such experiences often stimulate intellectual commitments and provide a focus for a student's undergraduate studies.
All departmental programs make possible at least 48 units of unrestricted electives for students. It is the intent of the faculty that students may use 12 of these units in the freshman year.