Curriculum

Terrascope Requirements

As part of the Terrascope community, you will enroll in the same core subjects as other MIT freshmen, but you will also participate in two required subjects: 12.000 in fall and 1.016 in spring. (Note that as a student in 12.000, you are allowed to exceed the credit limit for first-year students.) Each year, a different large-scale problem is posed in these two subjects as a way for students to learn how research is conducted.

12.000 - "Solving Complex Problems" (also known as Mission) is a 9 unit subject that only freshmen can participate in. 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 spring subject, "Communicating Complex Environmental Issues: Designing and Building Interactive Museum Exhibits" (Subject 1.016--9 units), builds on the material covered in fall, and is designed to develop additional depth in science concepts and introduce engineering and design process using some aspec of the topic studied in fall as context.

Terrascope Radio (subject SP360--12 units) offers the extraordinary opportunity to satisfy the required freshman communications requirement by offering CI-H credit to produce a professional quality radio program based on material studied during the year. The class is optional but recommended as a perfect integration of the Terrascope theme into the communications requirement.

General Institute Requirements

You will enroll in science core subjects along with your non-Terrascope peers.

Other Learning Communities

Independent Activities Period

An elective one-week class on museum exhibit design is offered during the Independent Activity Period (IAP) for Terrascope students who want to jump start their spring activities.

Other Opportunities

Terrascope students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in
pre-orientation educational experiences offered during the summer before their freshman year.

Students in the Terrascope program may have the opportunity to conduct field over spring break in a location relevant to the year's topic. This year's field experience will be in the New Orleans region. Expenses for the trip are largely covered by the program.

Terrascope students are encouraged to take advantage of research and study opportunities offered by MIT and other institutions. The Terrascope office maintains a listing of opportunities and will be happy to help you in your search for appropriate placements. Terrascope may offer undergraduate research opportunities (UROP) to qualified students.