12.000 - Solving Complex Problems (Mission 2011)

12.000 Solving Complex Problems (9 units) is the keystone subject of the Terrascope program and is offered during the fall semester of the freshman year. In this exciting subject, also known as Mission 2011, you can gain first hand experience working as part of a team researching and developing solutions to large and difficult real problems involving science, engineering, and social sciences. Some past topics have included: sustainable development of the Amazon Rainforest; comparing the environmental costs and resource benefits of drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; guaranteeing the survival of the Galapagos Islands; designing effective emergency tsunami response strategies for the circum-Pacific region; developing a plan to reconstruct New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

About Mission 2011:
Solving Complex Problems (12.000) is designed to provide students the opportunity to work as part of a team to propose solutions to a complex problem that requires an interdisciplinary approach. For the students of the class of 2011, 12.000 or Mission 2011, will revolve around the issues associated with the long-term future of our marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Fish provide roughly 40 per cent of the protein consumed by nearly two-thirds of the world's population. Global population growth and improved fishing technology are placing unprecedented pressure on the world’s ocean resources. Global marine fish production increased from 19 million tons in 1950 to about 80 million tons in the mid-1980s where it has remained. Chronic overfishing – combined with introduced species and massive pollution – have upset ecological balance, destroyed habitat, and created large "dead zones". When combined with projections of global warming and climate change are added to the mix, it is clear we are in severe crisis. A global plan to save the oceans and the fisheries is long overdue and essential for the planet. Your task is to develop this plan – the future of the planet hangs in the balance.

Mission 2011 is also part of the Terrascope program and the future of the world's fisheries will be a year long theme of Terrascope. By enrolling in 12.000 you become part of the Terrascope program and community, even if you do not continue in the Spring.

Spring Field Trip:
During spring break in March of 2008 we will take a field trip to Iceland. Iceland's fishery is a major part of their economy and we will observe what steps the Icelandic government is taking to protect the fishing industry as well as plan for a future of increasing temperatures, more melting of the polar ice cap, and global decline in the health of the oceans. In addition, Iceland offers a tremendous opportunity to study geology because the island is an exposed spreading center where new oceanic crust is formed. This gives the Icelandic people an opportunity to generate power directly from the Earth's interior.

You may take Mission 2011 without committing to the year long Terrascope program. However, by enrolling in 12.000 you become part of the Terrascope program and community, even if you do not continue in the Spring.  The Terrascope affiliation allows you to join students and faculty at weekly luncheons where guest speakers discuss their current research. You will also have access to the Program’s facilities including a dedicated classroom/study space, kitchen, and lounge. Terrascope also offers a number of opportunities for undergraduate research (UROP).  This structure allows students who feel unable to commit to a two-semester program to still benefit from the project-based learning environment of Solving Complex Problems and to experience the Terrascope community for the fall.

The links below will take you to Mission websites for previous years :

Mission 2010

Mission 2009

Mission 2008

Mission 2007

Mission 2006

To enroll in Terrascope/Mission, go to the Class of 2011 Advising Choice page: http://mit.edu/firstyear/advising/apply.html