Graduate students may pursue work leading to any of the following degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); Doctor of Science (ScD); Engineer's degrees; Master of Science (SM); Master of Engineering (MEng); Master of Architecture (MArch); Master in City Planning (MCP); and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Graduate programs are described in individual department statements in Part 2.
Each graduate student is officially enrolled in a degree program. The programs are not limited, however, to subjects offered in a single department. Subjects and research programs may be chosen from several departments, given the approval of the departmental faculty advisor to ensure that the overall program is integrated and well balanced with respect to a major field of study.
A student who expects to come to MIT for an advanced degree after earning an undergraduate degree elsewhere should give careful attention to undergraduate prerequisites as outlined by each department or program elsewhere in this catalogue. For more specific information, a student should consult the department or program in which he or she wishes to enroll.
MIT degrees are "residence" degrees in the sense that a major portion of the work must be done on campus in association with the faculty, other graduate students, and the Institute community. The amount of time required to attain any one degree varies.
Degrees are awarded by the Corporation of the Institute upon the recommendation of the Faculty. Favorable faculty action is based upon approval by the Committee on Graduate School Programs on recommendations from the appropriate departmental committees on graduate students.
For the degree of Master of Science, the student must have satisfactorily completed a program of study of at least 66 units of G- or H-level subjects, of which at least 42 units must be H-level, and a thesis, approved by the department in which he or she is enrolled. If 34 units of H-level subjects and the thesis are in a single approved program, as determined by a departmental committee on graduate students, the degree will be recommended with specification in this program; otherwise, the degree will be recommended without specification. The same high standard of academic performance in a program approved by a departmental committee on graduate students is required for either degree.
The choice of area of specialization must be approved by the committee on graduate students of the department in which the student is enrolled. Approval of the entire program must be obtained from this committee and from the student's faculty advisor. A special interdepartmental committee, approved by the dean for graduate students, may be appointed to supervise a program in an interdepartmental field.
The satisfactory completion of the master's degree requires the student to be in residence as a full-time regular graduate student for a minimum of one regular academic term (not the summer session). Every degree candidate working on a thesis must register for thesis in all semesters during which his or her thesis research or writing is actually in progress and during the term his or her name appears on the degree list.
To be awarded the graduate degree of Master of Engineering, the student must have satisfactorily completed a structured program of at least 90 units, consisting of 66 units of G- or H-level subjects, of which at least 42 units must be H-level, and a thesis approved by the department of the School of Engineering in which he or she is enrolled. The candidate must also have been in residence for a minimum of one regular term.
The graduate degree Master of Architecture is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a program of study of at least 164 units of G- or H-level subjects approved by the Department of Architecture, of which 96 units must be in H-level subjects, and the completion of a thesis acceptable to the Department of Architecture. The candidate must also have been in residence for a minimum of four regular academic terms. A student who enters without previous experience in a department of architecture may take as long as eight academic terms to complete the degree.
For the degree Master in City Planning, the student must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 126 units of G- or H-level subjects, of which at least 42 units must be H-level subjects. The student must also have completed a thesis acceptable to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and have been in residence for a minimum of two regular academic terms.
To be awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA), the student must satisfactorily complete a program of study, including the first-semester core classes plus 144 units of G or H-level subjects, acceptable to the Sloan School of Management (of which 42 units must be H-level). The candidate must also have been in residence for four consecutive academic terms.
Single Thesis. This degree plan is intended for qualified graduate students who seek academic recognition in two professional fields that, although distinct, have a substantial intellectual connection. The degree plan requires a balanced choice of academic subjects, made with the advice of each of two departments, and by selection of the thesis topic.
To satisfy the minimum requirements for the program, the student must complete (in addition to thesis units) at least 132 units of G- or H-level subjects, of which 66 units are unique to each department. At least 42 of each group of 66 units must be graduate H-level subjects. In those instances where, for a single regular master's degree or program, a department or program has established unit requirements in excess of the foregoing minimums, the department or program requirements prevail. Such excess of units in one department may not be applied to the program in the other department.
A student pursuing a Master in City Planning in addition to a second master's degree must have both programs approved in the usual way, but the subject units for the Master in City Planning can be lowered at the discretion of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
Individuals who wish to qualify for a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Development, in addition to a Master of Architecture or Master in City Planning degree, will be required to satisfy all the subject requirements of each program. Specifically, candidates for the Master of Architecture degree must take 164 subject units (of which 96 units must be H-level subjects), and Master in City Planning degree candidates must take 126 subject units (of which 42 units must be H-level subjects). Individuals who wish to qualify for the master's degree in Real Estate Development also must take at least 66 subject units unique to this program, of which at least 42 units must be H-level subjects. Students may submit a single thesis provided it is acceptable to the graduate committees of each program. It is expected that such dual degree candidates will be in residence at least one term longer than expected if enrolled in a single degree program.
Participation in a dual degree program is limited to students who are already registered in one department and who meet the admissions criteria of the second department. At least two regular terms prior to completion of the program, the student must submit to each department a statement of educational objectives along with a detailed program plan that includes a description of the proposed thesis topic. The total program must meet with the approval of each department, and a petition approved by the dean for graduate students describing the program must by filed with the Registrar's Office.
The thesis research must be conducted under the supervision of an approved member of one of the two participating departments, with the other department providing a thesis reader. The thesis must be of superior quality. The single thesis cannot be used to satisfy the thesis requirements of any additional graduate degree programs.
In special cases, the standing committee of an approved interdisciplinary program may act in lieu of one of the two participating departments.
Two theses. Occasionally an individual, already admitted for graduate study, may wish to pursue simultaneously two distinct master's programs, fulfilling the thesis requirement with a separate thesis for each degree program. In such cases, the usual unit requirements for each program apply separately. Registration for two degrees is contingent upon approval by the second department of a request for admission. Such a request can be initiated by a petition approved by both departments and approved by the dean for graduate students.
An undergraduate student of the Institute who is enrolled as a candidate for the bachelor's degree may be admitted by a department as a candidate for the master's degree. Students must register as graduate students for at least one regular academic term (not the summer session) to be recommended for the simultaneous award of the bachelor's and master's degrees. The thesis submitted for the master's degree may also be accepted by the department in fulfillment of the undergraduate thesis requirement, if any. A student wishing to pursue this type of academic program must apply for graduate admission in the usual way.
The program for an engineer's degree requires more advanced and broader competence in engineering and science subjects than for the master's degree, but with less emphasis on original research than a doctoral program. In general, the engineer's degree requires two academic years beyond an undergraduate degree.
The following engineer's degrees are awarded:
Civil Engineer (CE)
Electrical Engineer (EE)
Engineer in Aeronautics and Astronautics (EAA)
Engineer in Computer Science (ECS)
Environmental Engineer (EnvE)
Materials Engineer (MatE)
Mechanical Engineer (MechE)
Metallurgical Engineer (MetE)
Naval Engineer (NavE)
Nuclear Engineer (NuclE)
The requirement for such a degree is the satisfactory completion of a program of advanced study and research approved by the appropriate department or interdepartmental committee of the School of Engineering. The minimum program consists of at least 162 subject units (exclusive of thesis units) and the completion of an acceptable thesis. The candidate must also have been in residence for a minimum of two regular academic terms. Every degree candidate working on a thesis is expected to register for thesis in all periods during which the thesis research or writing is actually in progress and during the term his or her name appears on the degree list. A department may accept a master's thesis of superior quality for the engineer's degree only if the student intends to use that document to fulfill the requirements of a single master's degree.
MIT offers the degrees of Doctor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy interchangeably in the engineering and science departments (except biology and brain and cognitive sciences) and from the Whitaker College of Health Sciences and Technology. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded in architecture; biology; biomedical engineering; brain and cognitive sciences; economics; history, anthropology, and science, technology and society (HASTS); linguistics; management; media arts and sciences; philosophy; political science; technology and policy; toxicology; and urban studies and planning. These degrees certify creditable completion of an approved program of advanced study in addition to a research dissertation of high quality based on original research.
The two Institute requirements for a doctorate are completion of a program of advanced study, including a general examination, and completion and oral defense of a thesis on original research.
The course of advanced study and research leading to the doctorate must be pursued under the direction of the departmental committee on graduate students for at least four academic terms. In some cases, the required period of residence may be reduced, but in no instance can it be reduced to less than two regular academic terms and one summer session.
A student is enrolled in a program of advanced study and research approved by the department. The thesis research is in this same area, but the program often includes subjects reaching into several departments. If the field requires substantial participation by two or more departments, an interdepartmental faculty committee, approved by the dean for graduate students, should be appointed to supervise the student's program.
Each doctoral candidate must take a general examination in his or her program of study at such time and in such manner as the departmental or interdepartmental committee approves. This examination consists of both oral and written parts.
Nonresident status is intended for doctoral students who have completed all requirements other than the thesis. These students have limited access to the facilities and academic life of the Institute, are not eligible for federal loan funds and funding from or through MIT, and pay a substantially reduced tuition. Permission to become a nonresident doctoral candidate must be obtained from the dean for graduate students at least one month prior to Registration Day of the term during which the student wishes to register in this category ($100 late fee). Consult the Graduate Students Office for additional information on nonresident status.
Although there is no Institute requirement of a minor for the doctoral degree, certain departments require that candidates take a number of subjects outside their major field.
There is no Institute language requirement; however, several departments require that a candidate be able to read or speak one or two foreign languages with intermediate competence. A student may satisfy the requirement in one of three ways: by fulfilling the requirement before entrance by passing one or more intermediate or advanced subjects with a grade of C or better; through examination by the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section; or by taking a two-term subject in a language or languages offered by the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section. Depending on student demand, the section offers a choice of two-term language subjects, stressing the ability to read or speak in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish. For the purpose of the second alternative, the section gives written examinations in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish twice a year at the end of each term. Examinations in other approved languages are arranged individually upon request.