FAQ

Frequently asked questions

For the Registrar’s Office general minor guidelines, see: http://web.mit.edu/registrar/reg/majors-minors/minor_guidelines.html

Applying for the Minor: Who and How

Curriculum: Classes and Units

Additional Questions

 

Applying for the Minor: Who and How

Who can apply to complete the minor?
Only currently enrolled undergraduates at MIT can apply.
How do I apply?
Fill out the minor application form, have your minor advisor sign it, and submit it to Christie Ko, MITEI Academic Coordinator, in E19-370W.
Who are the Energy Studies Minor Advisors?
One Faculty or academic staff member serves as the Energy Studies Minor advisor in each department. These advisors can be consulted by students who are majoring in that department and by students who have questions about the classes in that department or school. Consult with the MITEI Education Office for further information.
When should I seek an advisor?
Students can seek an Energy Studies Minor advisor at any time. It may be advisable to meet with the Energy Studies Minor advisor after you have confirmed your major and major advisor.
When should I apply?
The Minor Program should be designated by the end of your sophomore year but no later than Add Date one full term before the term in which you expect to receive the SB degree.
I am a freshman.  Should I wait until next year to make plans to apply for the minor?
It is never too early to talk to a faculty member and other students about the minor and begin planning for the years ahead.  Several elective subjects can be taken by freshmen during their Spring term.  MITEI and the Energy Education Task Force are actively working to expand first-year options in energy.
Do students who have applied for the minor get preferential treatment for space in classes that are part of the curriculum?  Course 15 classes are especially notorious for being difficult to get in to.
Students who have applied for the minor are treated the same as all other students when enrolling in classes.  Students enrolling in 15.031J from outside course 15 should register for 11.161J, 14.43J or 21A.341J.
How can I drop the minor?
If you decide not to take the Energy Studies Minor after having submitted an application form, you should get in touch with your minor advisor and with Christie Ko to inform them of your change in plans. 
What do I do if I’ve already filled out a minor application but I want to take different classes?
You must have any changes approved by your minor advisor when you submit your minor completion form.  It would be wise to consult with your minor advisor and/or with Christie Ko before making a significant change.

Curriculum: Classes and Units

How many units of classes are there in the minor?
The minor totals 60 units (3 core classes x 12 units per class plus 24 units of electives).
If I take more than one class in one or more of the core curriculum categories, do those credits count towards the elective requirement?
Yes, additional coursework in any of the core curriculum categories may count toward the elective requirement.
Will the required subjects be offered every year?
This depends upon the department – some may be offered every year, some only every other year.  Typically, classes that are listed within the Core Curriculum categories will be supported by departments for the foreseeable future.  It is in your best interest to plan ahead to make sure you can fit all of the classes into your schedule before graduating.
Will any other classes besides 15.031J be offered in the Social Science Foundations of Energy domain?
15.031J was developed specifically for the minor.  The Energy Education Task Force hopes to see additional subjects developed that can also meet this requirement for the Minor.
Can I take any of the minor requirements under Junior-Senior P/D/F?
Subjects taken under the Junior-Senior P/D/F grading option cannot be used for a Minor Program. 
Can any of the minor requirements be designated as a Sophomore Exploratory Subject?
Any subject taken at MIT or through cross-registration may be designated as exploratory, including electives, General Institute Requirements, and requirements for majors and minors.  For more information, visit: http://web.mit.edu/academic-guide/section_03.html#Exploratory . 
Can the classes in the Energy Studies Minor curriculum be applied to my major?
Yes, classes can count toward both the minor and your major.
Is it easier to take this minor when majoring in particular courses?
Because some classes do overlap with the requirements of some departments, the minor may integrate more easily into some students’ schedules.  However, all students interested in energy are encouraged to apply for the minor, and your minor advisor can help you plan your class schedule accordingly.
Do any of the classes besides 15.031J require prerequisites beyond GIRs?
2.005 corequires 18.03
6.007 requires 6.01 and 18.03
12.340 corequires 5.60
2.60J requires 2.006 or 3.044 or permission of the instructor
22.081J requires permission of the instructor

1.071J requires 18.03 and 5.60
2.612 requires 2.005
2.627 requires permission of the instructor
5.92 requires permission of the instructor
6.061 requires 6.002 and 6.013
6.131 requires 6.002, 6.003, or 6.007
6.701 requires 6.003
11.165 requires 14.01 or permission of the instructor
11.369J requires permission of the instructor
14.42 requires 14.01
14.44 requires 14.01
15.026J requires 5.60; 14.01 or 15.010; or permission of instructor
15.366 requires 15.390 or 15.371; 10.391J or 10.579; or permission of instructor
15.933 requires 15.900 or permission of instructor
22.033 requires 22.06
22.06 requires 2.005 and 22.05
Who is affected by any changes that may be made to the minor curriculum?
Students who take a class towards the minor this year will be “grandfathered” in if any changes are made to the curriculum in the future. 
How will I be informed of any changes made to the curriculum?
Students who have applied for the minor or who have indicated an interest in receiving news and updates about the minor will be informed via email; the website will also make note of major changes.
How can a student petition for substitutions to the minor requirements?
Contact Christie Ko for information on how the petition process.

Additional Questions

Will this minor appear on my diploma?
Like all minors granted at MIT, the Energy Studies Minor will not appear on your diploma.  It will appear on your transcript.
Have any of the classes in the curriculum been developed specifically for the Energy Studies Minor?
Yes, 15.031J and 12.021 were developed specifically with the minor in mind. 
Will there ever be an Energy Studies Major?
Energy is a fundamentally multidisciplinary topic.  Thus, the minor was designed as a complement to a student’s major course of study.
How is the Energy Studies Minor different from the possible minor(s) in environment and sustainability that are under discussion?
All energy issues raise environmental concerns, but not all environmental issues are energy-related.  The Energy Studies Minor, in its structure, breadth and scope, clearly recognizes this distinction.