MIT Degree Requirements

Hey all, I'm really interested in attending MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and I'm curious about the requirements for their various degrees. Can someone provide insight on the different degree tracks and their associated required courses?

MIT offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across several different fields, from engineering to humanities. Each major, or "course," as it's known at MIT, has its specific curriculum and requirements. I'll provide an overview of some popular degree programs and their required courses, but keep in mind that this isn't an exhaustive list. For detailed information, you should refer to MIT's academic catalog and respective department websites.

1. Mechanical Engineering (Course 2): The mechanical engineering program covers subjects such as dynamics, materials, structures, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and control systems. Required courses include Principles of Engineering Practice, System Dynamics, Design and Manufacturing, Heat and Mass Transfer, and a capstone design course.

2. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6): EECS is one of MIT's most popular degrees, encompassing a wide range of topics like algorithms, programming languages, artificial intelligence, data science, and more. The curriculum depends on whether you choose the electrical engineering (6-1), computer science and engineering (6-2), or computer science and molecular biology (6-7) track, but foundational courses include Computation Structures, Introduction to EECS, and Artificial Intelligence.

3. Aerospace Engineering (Course 16): The aerospace engineering program teaches students about aircraft, spacecraft, and systems engineering design. Required courses include Unified Engineering (which covers thermodynamics, structures, and materials), Dynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Estimation and Control, and a capstone course in systems engineering.

4. Mathematics (Course 18): The mathematics program at MIT covers a range of topics from pure to applied math. Required courses include Real Analysis, Algebra, and Complex Variables, with additional electives in subjects like combinatorics, number theory, applied mathematics, and more.

5. Management (Course 15): This program is offered through the MIT Sloan School of Management and focuses on business fundamentals in fields like finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Required courses include Microeconomics, Organizational Processes, Finance Theory, and a capstone course.

6. Biological Engineering (Course 20): The biological engineering program combines biology, engineering, and data science principles to tackle complex problems in healthcare, biotechnology, and more. Requirements include courses in Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, and a hands-on lab course.

7. Economics (Course 14): Economics students at MIT study a variety of economic theories and concepts, with an emphasis on quantitative approaches. Required courses include Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, and Econometrics. Students also take elective courses in areas like public finance, international economics, and industrial organization.

Keep in mind that MIT also has a General Institute Requirement (GIR) for all students, which includes a set of science core classes (physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology) and the humanities, arts, and social sciences (HASS) requirement. This ensures a foundational understanding across disciplines, regardless of your major.

I recommend visiting MIT's course catalog (https://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/) and the respective department websites for a comprehensive view of the different degree requirements and available academic tracks.