<p>I wanted to graduate in 3 years with a degree in mechanical engineering. So I figure the best way is to take a few ASEs.
I was thinking about taking ASE's for: Calculus II, Differential Equations, Mechanics I, Dynamics I, Biology.
However I don't want to go into upper level courses not being prepared.
So should I take these ASE's?
Should I take the chemistry ASE? What else should be done to graduate in 3 years while still having a solid foundation?
Furthermore, at what point can I begin taking graduate courses?</p>
<p>A few things:</p>
<p>By Calc II, do you mean 18.02 (Multivariable Calculus)? Most schools have Calc I, II, and III, where III is Multivariable. MIT combines a typical Calc I and II sequence into a single semester class (18.01, “Single Variable Calculus”).</p>
<p>If you do mean 18.02, ASEs are offered for it during orientation. You can also request to take the differential equations (18.03) ASE; however, I believe you also need to complete psets for it over the summer in order to be eligible for the ASE.</p>
<p>There are ASE exams offered for Biology (7.012), Chemistry (5.111), and Classical Mechanics (8.01). However, I have never heard of a “Dynamics” ASE being offered. You’d need to contact the specific department for that course and see if they will allow you to receive ASE credit for the course.</p>
<p>If you have 5 on both parts of the Physics C exam, you automatically receive credit for 8.01 (Mechanics) and can take an ASE to receive credit for 8.02 (Electricity & Magnetism).</p>
<p>Most people advise that you take the ASE and place out of the class if you are able to pass. Generally, you won’t be passing the ASE unless you really know the material well and the score reflects your competency to perform well in higher courses (even if you need to refresh or add a few things here and there).</p>
<p>I doubt, though, that just taking those ASEs would allow you to complete your degree in three years. That sounds extremely demanding. I’m also not sure about the requirements for taking grad courses as an undergraduate. My guess is that would be a department-specific thing, but I’ll wait for someone else to chime in there.</p>
<p>You’ll have credit for 18.01, 18.02, 18.06, 8.01, and 7.01x. If you’re in Physics C I hear it’s not hard to ASE 8.02 as well. That’s 72 credits, plus approx. 48 credits for your 1st semester gives you 120 credits so you should be able to declare sophomore standing in the spring of freshman year (removes credit cap). I read from Mollie that all MIT degrees can be completed with 4 classes/semester in 4 years, so if you come in with 6 ASEs then you’ll need to do 2 semesters with 5 classes to graduate in 3 years.</p>
<p>Besides the ASAs does MIT give credit for college courses taken towards the degree requirements.
My DS has taken about 6 courses in mainstream topics (comp sci, stats, differential equations, etc).</p>
<p>Do you happen to remember where Mollie said that? I’m interested in majoring in Bioengineering at MIT, and I’m 99% certain that Bioengineering has a heavier courseload requirement that essentially demands 5 classes/semester all 4 years.</p>
<p>I think it was in the FAQ… I can’t find it now but if you look at the biological engineering degree “roadmap” from the website it shows you can go in with no credits and only take 5 classes in two semesters. And I don’t know if the electives are required or not. <a href=“Home | MIT Department of Biological Engineering”>Home | MIT Department of Biological Engineering;
<p>
</p>
<p>Nope! You can look at the bulletin here: [MIT</a> Course Catalog: Course 20](<a href=“Welcome! < MIT”>Welcome! < MIT)</p>
<p>It requires 192 units, which is pretty standard for engineering majors. (Most people end up taking more than that anyway, because IAP classes are fun, or half-classes are fun, or they want to be hosed, etc.)</p>
<p>The roadmap unicameral2013 provided doesn’t assume the minimum to get the major, so there’s a few more units in there than what you actually need to take. You’ll notice, though, that even the two 5-term classes are ones where each term has a half class (6 units).</p>
<p>
It’s not all MIT degrees, exactly, but it is most. Most degrees require 180 units beyond the GIRs, which is what you get if you take all 17 GIRs at MIT and take four classes per semester. There are some majors which require more than 180 units outside the GIRs, though (as Piper is pointing out above).</p>
<p>
Generally speaking, you can take any graduate course whenever you feel you’re ready. There was a CC poster a few years ago who took all grad classes his first semester, and I don’t think his department ever had a problem with it. Some classes will require you to get the permission of the instructor to register, but in general you’re welcome to take any course you want (other than limited-enrollment situations like some lab classes, seminars, etc.). </p>
<p>Of course, a large number of classes at MIT are joint grad/undergrad classes – it’s the same class (same professor, same room, same time), but undergrads register under one number and grad students register under another.</p>
<p>Why exactly do you want to graduate in 3 years? It’s perfectly possible to do so with a pretty reasonable mix of AP credit, ASEs, IAP courses, and taking 5+ courses per semester but the benefits of graduating early seem minimal (other than possible financial savings). Also I wouldn’t recommend taking graduate classes for the sake of taking graduate classes.</p>
<p>Personally I would just prefer to have that option open for me academically. But if I take graduate courses do they count for graduate credit, or towards a graduate degree as well?</p>
<p>
No, they don’t. If you want to take graduate courses (and many undergraduates at MIT do), it will count toward your undergraduate degree only, unless you are enrolled in a dual degree program like the M.Eng. program.</p>